2Sa 22 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Sam 22:1-51: 22:1-51 Although this prayer of thanksgiving (also recorded in Ps 18 ) is placed near the end of David’s story, David probably offered it to God much earlier in his life. This prayer and Hannah’s (1 Sam 2:1-10 ) together enclose the book of Samuel with an inclusio (literary bookends). Hannah was saved from barrenness; David was saved from his enemies. The placement of this hymn also provides a parallel to Moses. The stories of both Moses and David end with a song or hymn giving lavish praise to God (see also Deut 31:30–32:43 ). Both highlight God as a “Rock” (Deut 32:4 , 15 , 18 , 30 , 31 ; 2 Sam 22:2 , 3 , 32 , 47 ). Both are followed by second and shorter poetic pieces—Moses’ final blessing to the Israelite tribes (Deut 33 ), and David’s last words (2 Sam 23:1-7 ).

Summary for 2Sam 22:1-51: 22:1-51 ^a Although this prayer of thanksgiving (also recorded in Ps 18 ^b) is placed near the end of David’s story, David probably offered it to God much earlier in his life. This prayer and Hannah’s (1 Sam 2:1-10 ^c) together enclose the book of Samuel with an inclusio (literary bookends). Hannah was saved from barrenness; David was saved from his enemies. The placement of this hymn also provides a parallel to Moses. The stories of both Moses and David end with a song or hymn giving lavish praise to God (see also Deut 31:30–32:43 ^d). Both highlight God as a “Rock” (Deut 32:4 ^e, 15 ^f, 18 ^g, 30 ^h, 31 ⁱ; 2 Sam 22:2 ^j, 3 ^k, 32 ^l, 47 ^m). Both are followed by second and shorter poetic pieces—Moses’ final blessing to the Israelite tribes (Deut 33 ⁿ), and David’s last words (2 Sam 23:1-7 ^o).
22:2 ^p Hannah had said, “there is no Rock like our God” (1 Sam 2:2 ^q), while David said, the Lord is my rock, which recalls God’s rescue of David from Saul at the Rock of Escape (1 Sam 23:28 ^r). The Hebrew word translated “rock” in 22:3 ^s (different from 22:2 ^t) refers in 1 Sam 24:2 ^u to “the rocks of the wild goats,” where Saul suspected that David was hiding.

• fortress: The same word referred to David’s physical “stronghold” (1 Sam 22:4 ^v), where David and his men sought refuge from Saul.
22:3 ^w The phrase the power that saves me (literally the horn that has saved me) is similar to Hannah’s “the Lord has made me strong!,” (literally the Lord has exalted my horn, 1 Sam 2:1 ^x).
22:7 ^y Although his sanctuary sometimes refers to the Tabernacle or Temple, here it refers to God’s heavenly dwelling; neither the Tabernacle nor the Temple were in existence at this time.
Summary for 2Sam 22:8-20: 22:8-20 ^z David vividly expands on how God heard him (22:7 ^aa). David describes God’s rescue as a theophany (manifestation of God’s presence; see study notes on Exod 19:16-25; Deut 1:33) that recalls God’s manifestation at Sinai (Exod 19:16-20 ^ab; cp. Judg 5:4-5 ^ac).
22:14 ^ad The Lord thundered from heaven: Cp. 1 Sam 2:10 ^ae.
Summary for 2Sam 22:21-30: 22:21-30 ^af David’s divine rescue and success were related to his own obedient walk with God. God honors those who order their lives in a way that pleases him (see also Lev 26:1-13 ^ag; Deut 28:1-14 ^ah; Ps 1 ^ai).
Summary for 2Sam 22:22-24: 22:22-24 ^aj David composed these words much earlier (22:1 ^ak), before his sin with Bathsheba. Still, his claim to being blameless should not be construed as a claim to perfection. David was simply noting that he had kept the covenant and followed its law.
Summary for 2Sam 22:31-51: 22:31-51 ^al David glorifies God for rescue in the past and for his promises to David’s house for coming generations (see 7:8-16 ^am).
22:32 ^an See Isa 43:11 ^ao; 44:6 ^ap, 8 ^aq; 45:5 ^ar, 21 ^as.
22:34 ^at David probably encountered deerduring his many days of hiding out in hilly terrain and caves (1 Sam 19:11–27:12 ^au).
Summary for 2Sam 22:38-40: 22:38-40 ^av David’s military accomplishments before he became king were impressive (see 1 Sam 17:12-58 ^aw; 18:17-30 ^ax; 23:1-5 ^ay; 30:1-31 ^az). Yet rather than exalting himself, David glorified God and gave him the credit.
22:51 ^ba Cp. 7:5-29 ^bb; 1 Sam 2:10 ^bc.