2 Samuel 22:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support.

NIV: They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support.

NASB: They confronted me on the day of my disaster, But the Lord was my support.

CSB: They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support.

NLT: They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the Lord supported me.

KJV: They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay.

NKJV: They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the Lord was my support.

Second Samuel 22:17–20 describes how God reached down and saved David. David cried to God, in fear for his life (2 Samuel 22:5–7). God arrived with earthquakes and lightning (2 Samuel 22:8–16). He destroyed David's enemies and pulled David out of "many waters," a symbol of chaos. God placed David in a safe place, and David explains he's received God's favor because of his obedience (2 Samuel 22:21–25). This passage is also recorded in Psalm 18:16–19.

Through a psalm, David gives God credit for his life. David faithfully relied on God. In response, God rescued him from violent men, internal rebellion, and foreign armies. God strengthened David in battle, secured his throne, and made foreign nations serve him. God did so because David was blameless: David did sin greatly, but he also deeply repented his sin. David praises God for His love in establishing his kingdom for himself and his descendants. Second Samuel 23:1–7 speaks more about God's covenant with David. Psalm 18 records a slightly altered version of this chapter.

Second Samuel 22 is part of an epilogue. When originally written, there was a single book, which was later split into 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. This chapter begins to close out the story so far. This is the center of a mirror-like structure, called a "chiasm," seen in 2 Samuel 21—24. Despite Saul's sins (2 Samuel 21:1–14) and David's sins (2 Samuel 24), God gives Israel victory over their enemies (2 Samuel 21:15–22; 23:8–39). Second Samuel 22:1—23:7 describes how God used David in this. God rescued David from his enemies so he could fight for Israel and lead well. That blessing continues in the Davidic Covenant which is fulfilled in Jesus (2 Samuel 23:5). Psalm 18 is an edited version of 2 Samuel 22.

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

Accessed 4/18/2026 6:51:30 AM