mh_parser/vol_split/10 - 2Samuel/Chapter 22.xml

<div2 id="iiSam.xxiii" n="xxiii" next="iiSam.xxiv" prev="iiSam.xxii" progress="49.21%" title="Chapter XXII">
<h2 id="iiSam.xxiii-p0.1">S E C O N D   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iiSam.xxiii-p0.2">CHAP. XXII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiSam.xxiii-p1">This chapter is a psalm, a psalm of praise; we
find it afterwards inserted among David's psalms (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.1-Ps.18.50" parsed="|Ps|18|1|18|50" passage="Ps 18:1-50">Ps. xviii.</scripRef>) with some little
variation. We have it here as it was first composed for his own
closed and his own harp; but there we have it as it was afterwards
delivered to the chief musician for the service of the church, a
second edition with some amendments; for, though it was calculated
primarily for David's case, yet it might indifferently serve the
devotion of others, in giving thanks for their deliverances; or it
was intended that his people should thus join with him in his
thanksgivings, because, being a public person, his deliverances
were to be accounted public blessings and called for public
acknowledgments. The inspired historian, having largely related
David's deliverances in this and the foregoing book, and one
particularly in the close of the foregoing chapter, thought fit to
record this sacred poem as a memorial of all that had been before
related. Some think that David penned this psalm when he was old,
upon a general review of the mercies of his life and the many
wonderful preservations God had blessed him with, from first to
last. We should in our praises, look as far back as we can, and not
suffer time to wear out the sense of God's favours. Others think
that he penned it when he was young, upon occasion of some of his
first deliverances, and kept it by him for his use afterwards, and
that, upon every new deliverance, his practice was to sing this
song. But the book of Psalms shows that he varied as there was
occasion, and confined not himself to one form. Here is, I. The
title of the psalm, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.1" parsed="|2Sam|22|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:1">ver. 1</scripRef>.
II. The psalm itself, in which, with a very warm devotion and very
great fluency and copiousness of expression, 1. He gives glory to
God. 2. He takes comfort in him; and he finds matter for both, (1.)
In the experiences he had of God's former favours. (2.) In the
expectations he had of his further favours. These are intermixed
throughout the whole psalm.</p>
<scripCom id="iiSam.xxiii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22" parsed="|2Sam|22|0|0|0" passage="2Sa 22" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiSam.xxiii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.1" parsed="|2Sam|22|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:1" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.22.1">
<h4 id="iiSam.xxiii-p1.5">David's Song of Praise. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p1.6">b. c.</span> 1020.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xxiii-p2">1 And David spake unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p2.1">Lord</span> the words of this song in the day
<i>that</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p2.2">Lord</span> had delivered
him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of
Saul:</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p3">Observe here, I. That it has often been the
lot of God's people to have many enemies, and to be in imminent
danger of falling into their hands. David was a man after God's
heart, but not after men's heart: many were those that hated him,
and sought his ruin; Saul is particularly named, either, 1. As
distinguished from his enemies of the heathen nations. Saul hated
David, but David did not hate Saul, and therefore would not reckon
him among his enemies; or, rather, 2. As the chief of his enemies,
who was more malicious and powerful than any of them. Let not those
whom God loves marvel if the world hate them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p4">II. Those that trust God in the way of duty
shall find him a present help to them in their greatest dangers.
David did so. God delivered him out of the hand of Saul. He takes
special notice of this. Remarkable preservations should be
mentioned in our praises with a particular emphasis. He delivered
him also <i>out of the hand of all his enemies,</i> one after
another, sometimes in one way, sometimes in another; and David,
from his own experience, has assured us <i>that, though many are
the troubles of the righteous, yet the Lord delivers them out of
them all,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.34.19" parsed="|Ps|34|19|0|0" passage="Ps 34:19">Ps. xxxiv.
19</scripRef>. We shall never be delivered from all our enemies
till we get to heaven; and to that heavenly kingdom God will
preserve all that are his, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.4.18" parsed="|2Tim|4|18|0|0" passage="2Ti 4:18">2 Tim. iv.
18</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p5">III. Those that have received many signal
mercies from God ought to give him the glory of them. Every new
mercy in our hand should put a new song into our mouth, even
praises to our God. Where there is a grateful heart, out of the
abundance of that the mouth will speak. David spoke, not only to
himself, for his own pleasure, not merely to those about him, for
their instruction, but <i>to the Lord,</i> for his honour, <i>the
words of this song.</i> Then we sing with grace when we sing to the
Lord. In distress he <i>cried with his voice</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.142.1" parsed="|Ps|142|1|0|0" passage="Ps 142:1">Ps. cxlii. 1</scripRef>), therefore with his
voice he gave thanks. Thanksgiving to God is the sweetest vocal
music.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p6">IV. We ought to be speedy in our thankful
returns to God: <i>In the day that God delivered him he sang this
song.</i> While the mercy is fresh, and our devout affections are
most excited by it, let the thank-offering be brought, that it may
be kindled with the fire of those affections.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xxiii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.2-2Sam.22.51" parsed="|2Sam|22|2|22|51" passage="2Sa 22:2-51" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.22.2-2Sam.22.51">
<h4 id="iiSam.xxiii-p6.2">David's Thanksgiving. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p6.3">b. c.</span> 1020.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7">2 And he said, The <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.1">Lord</span> <i>is</i> my rock, and my fortress, and my
deliverer;   3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: <i>he
is</i> my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and
my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.   4 I
will call on the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.2">Lord</span>, <i>who is</i>
worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.  
5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men
made me afraid;   6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about;
the snares of death prevented me;   7 In my distress I called
upon the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.3">Lord</span>, and cried to my God:
and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry <i>did
enter</i> into his ears.   8 Then the earth shook and
trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was
wroth.   9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire
out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.   10 He
bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness <i>was</i>
under his feet.   11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly:
and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.   12 And he made
darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, <i>and</i> thick
clouds of the skies.   13 Through the brightness before him
were coals of fire kindled.   14 The <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.4">Lord</span> thundered from heaven, and the most High
uttered his voice.   15 And he sent out arrows, and scattered
them; lightning, and discomfited them.   16 And the channels
of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered,
at the rebuking of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.5">Lord</span>, at the
blast of the breath of his nostrils.   17 He sent from above,
he took me; he drew me out of many waters;   18 He delivered
me from my strong enemy, <i>and</i> from them that hated me: for
they were too strong for me.   19 They prevented me in the day
of my calamity: but the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.6">Lord</span> was my
stay.   20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he
delivered me, because he delighted in me.   21 The <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.7">Lord</span> rewarded me according to my
righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he
recompensed me.   22 For I have kept the ways of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.8">Lord</span>, and have not wickedly departed from
my God.   23 For all his judgments <i>were</i> before me: and
<i>as for</i> his statutes, I did not depart from them.   24 I
was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine
iniquity.   25 Therefore the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.9">Lord</span> hath recompensed me according to my
righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.  
26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, <i>and</i>
with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.   27 With
the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou
wilt shew thyself unsavoury.   28 And the afflicted people
thou wilt save: but thine eyes <i>are</i> upon the haughty,
<i>that</i> thou mayest bring <i>them</i> down.   29 For thou
<i>art</i> my lamp, <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.10">O Lord</span>: and the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.11">Lord</span> will lighten my darkness.
  30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I
leaped over a wall.   31 <i>As for</i> God, his way <i>is</i>
perfect; the word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.12">Lord</span>
<i>is</i> tried: he <i>is</i> a buckler to all them that trust in
him.   32 For who <i>is</i> God, save the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.13">Lord</span>? and who <i>is</i> a rock, save our God?
  33 God <i>is</i> my strength <i>and</i> power: and he maketh
my way perfect.   34 He maketh my feet like hinds'
<i>feet:</i> and setteth me upon my high places.   35 He
teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine
arms.   36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy
salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.   37 Thou
hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
  38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and
turned not again until I had consumed them.   39 And I have
consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea,
they are fallen under my feet.   40 For thou hast girded me
with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou
subdued under me.   41 Thou hast also given me the necks of
mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.   42
They looked, but <i>there was</i> none to save; <i>even</i> unto
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.14">Lord</span>, but he answered them not.
  43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I
did stamp them as the mire of the street, <i>and</i> did spread
them abroad.   44 Thou also hast delivered me from the
strivings of my people, thou hast kept me <i>to be</i> head of the
heathen: a people <i>which</i> I knew not shall serve me.   45
Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear,
they shall be obedient unto me.   46 Strangers shall fade
away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.   47
The <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.15">Lord</span> liveth; and blessed
<i>be</i> my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my
salvation.   48 It <i>is</i> God that avengeth me, and that
bringeth down the people under me,   49 And that bringeth me
forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above
them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the
violent man.   50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee,
<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xxiii-p7.16">O Lord</span>, among the heathen, and I
will sing praises unto thy name.   51 <i>He is</i> the tower
of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto
David, and to his seed for evermore.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p8">Let us observe, in this song of praise,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p9">I. How David adores God, and gives him the
glory of his infinite perfections. There is none like him, nor any
to be compared with him (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.32" parsed="|2Sam|22|32|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:32"><i>v.</i>
32</scripRef>): <i>Who is God, save the Lord?</i> All others that
are adored as deities are counterfeits and pretenders. None is to
be relied on but he. <i>Who is a rock, save our God?</i> They are
dead, but <i>the Lord liveth,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.47" parsed="|2Sam|22|47|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:47"><i>v.</i> 47</scripRef>. They disappoint their
worshippers when they most need them. But <i>as for God his way is
perfect,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.31" parsed="|2Sam|22|31|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>.
Men begin in kindness, but end not-promise, but perform not; but
God will finish his work, and his word is tried, and what we may
trust.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p10">II. How he triumphs in the interest he has
in this God, and his relation to him, which he lays down as the
foundation of all the benefits he has received from him: <i>He is
my God;</i> as such he cries to him (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.7" parsed="|2Sam|22|7|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), and cleaves to him (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.22" parsed="|2Sam|22|22|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>); "and, if <i>my
God,</i> then <i>my rock</i>" (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.2" parsed="|2Sam|22|2|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), that is, "my strength and my
power (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.33" parsed="|2Sam|22|33|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>), the
rock under which I take shelter (he who is to me as the shadow of a
great rock in a weary land), the rock on which I build my hope,"
<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.3" parsed="|2Sam|22|3|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. Whatever is my
strength and support, it is <i>the God of my rock that makes it
so;</i> nay, he is <i>the God of the rock of my salvation</i>
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.47" parsed="|2Sam|22|47|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:47"><i>v.</i> 47</scripRef>): my saving
strength is in him and from him. David often hid himself in a rock
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.24.2" parsed="|1Sam|24|2|0|0" passage="1Sa 24:2">1 Sam. xxiv. 2</scripRef>), but God
was his chief hiding-place. "He is my fortress, in which I am safe
and think myself so—<i>my high tower,</i> or stronghold, in which
I am out of the reach of real evils—the <i>tower of salvation</i>
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.51" parsed="|2Sam|22|51|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:51"><i>v.</i> 51</scripRef>), which can
never be sealed nor battered, nor undermined. Salvation itself
saves me. Am I in distress? he is my deliverer—struck at, shot at?
he is my shield—pursued? he is my refuge—oppressed? he is my
saviour, that rescues me out of the hand of those that seek my
ruin. Nay, he is the <i>horn of my salvation,</i> by which I am
strongly protected, and my enemies are strongly pushed." Christ is
spoken of as the <i>horn of salvation</i> in the house of David,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p10.9" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.69" parsed="|Luke|1|69|0|0" passage="Lu 1:69">Luke i. 69</scripRef>. "Am I burdened,
and ready to sink? <i>The Lord is my stay</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p10.10" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.19" parsed="|2Sam|22|19|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>), by whom I am supported. Am I
in the dark, benighted, at a loss? <i>Thou art my lamp, O Lord!</i>
to show me my way, and thou wilt dispel <i>my darkness,</i>"
<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p10.11" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.29" parsed="|2Sam|22|29|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>. If we
sincerely take the Lord for our God, all this, and much more, he
will be to us, all we need and can desire.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p11">III. What improvement he makes of his
interest in God. If he be mine, 1. <i>In him will I trust</i>
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.3" parsed="|2Sam|22|3|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), that is, "I
will resign myself to his direction, and then depend upon his
power, and wisdom, and goodness, to conduct me well." 2. <i>On him
I will call</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.4" parsed="|2Sam|22|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>), <i>for he is worthy to be praised.</i> What we have
found in God that is worthy to be praised should engage us to pray
to him and give glory to him. 3. <i>To him will I give thanks</i>
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.50" parsed="|2Sam|22|50|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:50"><i>v.</i> 50</scripRef>), and that
publicly. When he was among the heathen he would neither be afraid
nor ashamed to own his obligations to the God of Israel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p12">IV. The full and large account he keeps for
himself, and gives to others, of the great and kind things God had
done for him. This takes up most of the song. He gives God the
glory both of his deliverances and of his successes, showing both
the perils he was delivered from and the power he was advanced
to.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p13">1. He magnifies the great salvations God
had wrought for him. God sometimes brings his people into very
great difficulties and dangers, that he may have the honour of
saving them and they the comfort of being saved by him. He owns,
<i>Thou hast saved me from violence</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.3" parsed="|2Sam|22|3|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), <i>from my enemies</i>
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.4" parsed="|2Sam|22|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), <i>from my
strong enemy,</i> meaning Saul, who, if God had not succoured him,
would have been too hard for him, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.18" parsed="|2Sam|22|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. Thou hast given me <i>the
shield of thy salvation,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.36" parsed="|2Sam|22|36|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:36"><i>v.</i> 36</scripRef>. To magnify the salvation, he
observes,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p14">(1.) That the danger was very great and
threatening out of which he was delivered. Men <i>rose up against
him</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.40 Bible:2Sam.22.49" parsed="|2Sam|22|40|0|0;|2Sam|22|49|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:40,49"><i>v.</i> 40,
49</scripRef>) that <i>hated him</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.41" parsed="|2Sam|22|41|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:41"><i>v.</i> 41</scripRef>), <i>a violent man</i>
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.49" parsed="|2Sam|22|49|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:49"><i>v.</i> 49</scripRef>) namely,
Saul, who was malicious in his designs against him and vigorous in
his pursuit. This is expressed figuratively, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.5-2Sam.22.6" parsed="|2Sam|22|5|22|6" passage="2Sa 22:5,6"><i>v.</i> 5, 6</scripRef>. He was surrounded with
death on every side, threatened to be overwhelmed, and saw no way
of escape. So violently did the waves of death beat upon him, so
strongly did the cords and snares of death hold him, that he could
not help himself, any more than a man in the grave can. The floods
of Belial, the wicked one, and his wicked instruments, made him
afraid; he trembled to see not only earth, but death and hell, in
arms against him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p15">(2.) That his deliverance was an answer to
prayer, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.7" parsed="|2Sam|22|7|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. He has
here left us a good example, when we are in distress, to cry unto
God with importunity, as children in a fright cry to their parents;
and great encouragement to do so, in that he found God ready to
answer prayer out of his temple in heaven, where he is continually
served and adored.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p16">(3.) That God appeared in a singular and
extraordinary manner for him and against his enemies. The
expressions are borrowed from the descent of the divine Majesty
upon Mount Sinai, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.8-2Sam.22.9" parsed="|2Sam|22|8|22|9" passage="2Sa 22:8,9"><i>v.</i> 8,
9</scripRef>, &amp;c. We do not find that in any of David's battles
God fought for him with thunder (as in Samuel's time), or with hail
(as in Joshua's time), or with the stars in their courses (as in
Deborah's time); but these lofty metaphors are used, [1.] To set
forth the glory of God, which was manifested in his deliverance.
God's wisdom and power, his goodness and faithfulness, his justice
and holiness, and his sovereign dominion over all the creatures and
all the counsels of men, which appeared in favour of David, were as
clear and bright a discovery of God's glory to an eye of faith as
such miraculous interpositions would have been to an eye of sense.
[2.] To set forth God's displeasure against his enemies, God so
espoused his cause that he showed himself an enemy to all his
enemies; his anger is set forth by a <i>smoke out of his
nostrils,</i> and <i>fire out of his mouth</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.9" parsed="|2Sam|22|9|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), <i>coals kindled</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.13" parsed="|2Sam|22|13|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), <i>arrows,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.15" parsed="|2Sam|22|15|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. Who knows
the power and terror of his wrath? [3.] To set forth the
extraordinary confusion which his enemies were put into, and the
consternation that seized them; as if the earth had trembled and
the <i>foundations of the world</i> had been discovered, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p16.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.8 Bible:2Sam.22.16" parsed="|2Sam|22|8|0|0;|2Sam|22|16|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:8,16"><i>v.</i> 8, 16</scripRef>. Who can stand
before God when he is angry? [4.] To show how ready God was to help
him: <i>He rode upon a cherub and did fly,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p16.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.11" parsed="|2Sam|22|11|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. God hastened to his succour,
and came to him with seasonable relief, though he had seemed at a
distance; yet he was <i>a God hiding himself</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p16.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.14.15" parsed="|Isa|14|15|0|0" passage="Isa 14:15">Isa. xiv. 15</scripRef>), for he made
<i>darkness his pavilion</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p16.8" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.12" parsed="|2Sam|22|12|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), for the amazement of his
enemies and the protection of his own people.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p17">(4.) That God manifested his particular
favour and kindness to him in these deliverances (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.20" parsed="|2Sam|22|20|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>): <i>He delivered me,
because he delighted in me.</i> The deliverance came not from
common providence, but covenant-love; he was herein treated as a
favourite: so he perceived by the communications of divine grace
and comfort to his soul with these deliverances, and the communion
he had with God in them. Herein he was a type of Christ, whom God
upheld because he <i>delighted in him,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.42.1-Isa.42.2" parsed="|Isa|42|1|42|2" passage="Isa 42:1,2">Isa. xlii. 1, 2</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p18">2. He magnifies the great successes God had
crowned him with. He had not only preserved but prospered him. He
was blessed, (1.) With liberty and enlargement. He was <i>brought
into a large place</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.20" parsed="|2Sam|22|20|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>), where he had room to thrive, and his <i>steps were
enlarged under him,</i> so that he had room to stir (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.37" parsed="|2Sam|22|37|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>), being no longer
straitened and confined. (2.) With military skill, and strength,
and swiftness. Though he was bred up to the crook, he was well
instructed in the arts of war and qualified for the toils and
perils of it. God, having called him to fight his battles,
qualified him for the service. He made him very ingenious (<i>He
teacheth my hands to war,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.35" parsed="|2Sam|22|35|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>. And this ingenuity was as good
as strength, for it follows, "so <i>that a bow of steel is broken
by my arms,</i>" not so much by main force as by dexterity), and
very vigorous and valiant. (<i>Thou hast girded me with strength to
battle,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.40" parsed="|2Sam|22|40|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:40"><i>v.</i> 40</scripRef>.
He gives God the glory of all his courage and ability for service),
and very expeditious: <i>He maketh my feet swift like hinds
feet</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.34" parsed="|2Sam|22|34|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>),
which is of great advantage both in charging and retreating. (3.)
With victory over his enemies, not only Saul and Absalom, but the
Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Syrians, and other neighbouring
nations, whom he subdued and made tributaries to Israel. His
wonderful victories are here described, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p18.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.38-2Sam.22.43" parsed="|2Sam|22|38|22|43" passage="2Sa 22:38-43"><i>v.</i> 38-43</scripRef>. They were <i>speedy</i>
victories (<i>I turned not again till I had consumed them,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p18.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.38" parsed="|2Sam|22|38|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>) and
<i>complete</i> victories. The enemies of Israel were <i>wounded,
destroyed, consumed,</i> fell <i>under his feet,</i> trampled upon,
and disabled to rise, and their necks lay at his mercy. They cried
both to earth and heaven for help, but in vain. <i>There was none
to save,</i> none that durst appear for them. God <i>answered them,
not</i> for they were not on his side, nor did they cry unto him
till they were brought to the last extremity. Being thus abandoned,
they became an easy prey to David's righteous and victorious sword,
so that he <i>beat them as small as the dust of the earth,</i>
which is scattered by the wind and trodden on by every foot. (4.)
With advancement to honour and power. To this he was anointed
before his troubles began, and at length, <i>post tot discrimina
rerum—after all his dangers and disasters,</i> he gained his
point. God <i>made his way perfect</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p18.8" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.33" parsed="|2Sam|22|33|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>), gave him success in all his
undertakings, <i>set him upon his high places</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p18.9" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.34" parsed="|2Sam|22|34|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>), denoting both safety
and dignity. God's gentleness, his grace and tender mercy, <i>made
him great</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p18.10" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.36" parsed="|2Sam|22|36|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:36"><i>v.</i>
36</scripRef>), gave him great wealth, and great authority, and a
name like that of the great men of the earth. He was <i>kept to be
the head of the heathen</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p18.11" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.44" parsed="|2Sam|22|44|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:44"><i>v.</i> 44</scripRef>); his signal preservations
evinced that he was designed and reserved for something great—to
rule over all Israel, notwithstanding the <i>strivings of the
people,</i> and so that those whom <i>he had not known should serve
him,</i> many of the nations that lay remote. Thus he was <i>lifted
up on high,</i> as high as the throne, above those that <i>rose up
against him,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p18.12" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.49" parsed="|2Sam|22|49|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:49"><i>v.</i>
49</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p19">V. The comfortable reflections he makes
upon his own integrity, which God, by those wonderful deliverances,
had graciously owned and witnessed to, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.21-2Sam.22.25" parsed="|2Sam|22|21|22|25" passage="2Sa 22:21-25"><i>v.</i> 21-25</scripRef>. He means especially his
integrity with reference to Saul and Ishbosheth, Absalom and Sheba,
and those who either opposed his coming to the crown or endeavoured
to dethrone him. They falsely accused him and misrepresented him,
but he had the testimony of this conscience for him that he was not
an ambitious aspiring man, a false and bloody man, as they called
him,—that he had never taken any indirect unlawful courses to
secure or raise himself, but in his whole conduct had kept in the
way of his duty,—and that in the whole course of his conversation
he had, for the main, made religion his business, so that he could
take God's favours to him as the rewards of his righteousness, not
of debt, but of grace. God had recompensed him, though not for his
righteousness, as if that had merited any thing at the hand of God,
yet according to his righteousness, which he was well pleased with,
and had an eye to. His conscience witnessed for him, 1. That he had
made the word of God his rule, and had kept to it, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.23" parsed="|2Sam|22|23|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. Wherever he was, God's
judgments were before him as his guide; whithersoever he went, he
took his religion along with him, and though he was forced to
depart from his country, and sent, as it were, to serve other gods,
yet as for God's statutes, he did not depart from them, but kept
the way of the Lord and walked in it. 2. That he had carefully
avoided the bye-paths of sin. He had not wickedly departed from his
God. He could not say but that he had taken some false steps, but
he had not deserted God, nor forsaken his way. Sins of infirmity he
could not acquit himself from, but the grace of God had kept him
from presumptuous sins. Though he had sometimes <i>weakly</i>
departed from his God. By this it appeared that he was <i>upright
before God,</i> or <i>to God</i> (in his sight, and with an eye to
him), that he <i>kept himself from his own iniquity,</i> not only
from that particular sin of killing Saul when it was in the power
of his hand to do it, but, in general, he was afraid of sin and
watchful against it, and made conscience of what he said and did.
The matter of Uriah is an exception (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.15.5" parsed="|1Kgs|15|5|0|0" passage="1Ki 15:5">1
Kings xv. 5</scripRef>), like that in Hezekiah's character,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.32.31" parsed="|2Chr|32|31|0|0" passage="2Ch 32:31">2 Chron. xxxii. 31</scripRef>. Note,
A careful abstaining from our own iniquity is one of the best
evidences of our own integrity; and the testimony of our conscience
for us that we have done so will be such a rejoicing as will not
only lessen the griefs of an afflicted state, but increase the
comforts of a prosperous state. David reflected with more comfort
upon his victories over his own iniquity than upon his conquest of
Goliath and all the hosts of the uncircumcised Philistines; and the
witness of his own heart to his uprightness was sweeter though more
silent music than theirs that sang, <i>David has slain his ten
thousands.</i> If a great man be a good man, his goodness will be
much more his satisfaction than his greatness. Let favour be shown
to the upright and his uprightness will sweeten it, will double
it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p20">VI. The comfortable prospects he has of
God's further favour. As he looks back, so he looks forward, with
pleasure, and assures himself of the kindness God has in store for
all the saints, for himself, and also for his seed.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p21">1. For all good people, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.26-2Sam.22.28" parsed="|2Sam|22|26|22|28" passage="2Sa 22:26-28"><i>v.</i> 26-28</scripRef>. As God had dealt with
him according to his uprightness, so he will with all others. He
takes occasion here to lay down the established rules of God's
procedure with the children of men:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p22">(1.) That he will do good to those that are
upright in their hearts. As we are found towards God, he will be
found towards us. [1.] God's mercy and grace will be the joy of
those that are merciful and gracious. Even the merciful need mercy;
and they shall obtain it. [2.] God's uprightness, his justice and
faithfulness, will be the joy of those that are upright, just, and
faithful, both towards God and man. [3.] God's purity and holiness
will be the joy of those that are pure and holy, who therefore give
thanks at the remembrance thereof. And, if any of these good people
be <i>afflicted people, he will save</i> them, either out of their
afflictions or by and after them. On the other hand,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p23">(2.) That those who turn aside to crooked
ways he will <i>lead forth with the workers of iniquity,</i> as he
says in another psalm. <i>With the froward he will wrestle;</i> and
those with whom God wrestles are sure to be foiled. <i>Woe unto him
that strives with his Maker!</i> God will walk contrary to those
that walk contrary to him and be displeased with those that are
displeased with him. As for the haughty, his eyes are upon them,
marking them out, as it were, to be brought down; for <i>he resists
the proud.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p24">2. For himself. He foresaw that his
conquests and kingdom would be yet further enlarged, <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.45-2Sam.22.46" parsed="|2Sam|22|45|22|46" passage="2Sa 22:45,46"><i>v.</i> 45, 46</scripRef>. Even the
<i>sons of the stranger,</i> that would hear the report of his
victories and the tokens of God's presence with him, would be
possessed with a fear of him, would be forced to submit to him,
though feignedly, and would be obedient to him. The successes which
he had had he looked upon as earnests of more and means of more.
Who durst oppose him by whom so many had been overcome? Thus the
Son of David <i>goes on conquering and to conquer,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.6.2" parsed="|Rev|6|2|0|0" passage="Re 6:2">Rev. vi. 2</scripRef>. His gospel, which has been
victorious, shall be so more and more.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xxiii-p25">3. For his seed: He <i>showeth mercy to his
Messiah</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.51" parsed="|2Sam|22|51|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:51"><i>v.</i>
51</scripRef>), not only to David himself, but to that seed of his
for evermore. David was himself anointed of God, not a usurper, but
duly called to the government and qualified for it; therefore he
doubted not but God would show mercy to him, that mercy which he
had promised not to take from him nor from his posterity (<scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.7.15-2Sam.7.16" parsed="|2Sam|7|15|7|16" passage="2Sa 7:15,16"><i>ch.</i> vii. 15, 16</scripRef>); on that
promise he depends, with an eye to Christ, who alone is his <i>seed
for evermore,</i> whose throne and kingdom still continue, and will
to the end, whereas the seed and lineage of David are long since
extinct. See <scripRef id="iiSam.xxiii-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.89.28-Ps.89.29" parsed="|Ps|89|28|89|29" passage="Ps 89:28,29">Ps. lxxxix. 28,
29</scripRef>. Thus all his joys and all his hopes terminate, as
ours should, in the great Redeemer.</p>
</div></div2>