Day 168 – 2 Samuel 22:31-40

Scripture Review

2 Samuel 22:31-40

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him."

(2 Samuel 22:31)

God's way is "perfect." His Word is complete, whole, sound, and without flaw. God's way may not always be easy to understand, but it is never wrong. The word of the LORD is "tried" or Tested, proven, and refined. God's Word has stood every test. It does not fail under pressure. God is a "buckler," shield to all who trust in Him. Not to those who merely talk about Him, but to those who lean on Him.

"For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?"

(2 Samuel 22:32)

David asks two questions. "Who is God, save (except) the LORD?" David is saying there is no true God except the LORD. Then he asks, "who is a rock, save our God?" Our strength, stability, refuge, and security. Again, David had hidden among literal rocks, but he knew the LORD was his true Rock.

"God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect."

(2 Samuel 22:33)

David does not separate victory from God. He acknowledges, "God is his strength and power." He does not say, "My arm made me king." He says God was the strength behind his strength. God also made his way perfect. That means God established, directed, and completed David's path. David's life had many crooked circumstances, but God's hand brought him through to His purpose.

"He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places."

(2 Samuel 22:34)

Hinds' feet picture sure, swift, steady movement, especially in difficult and high places. David says God set him upon his "high places." These were places of security, victory, and elevation. God gave him footing where others might have slipped. The LORD made David able to stand where human strength would have fallen.

"He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms."

(2 Samuel 22:35)

This does not make David a lover of violence. It means God trained him for the battles required in his calling. The "bow of steel" likely refers to a strong metal bow, commonly understood as bronze. To break such a bow by his arms pictures unusual strength given by God. David's skill was not merely natural talent. God trained him for what he had to face.

"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great."

(2 Samuel 22:36)

Salvation here means deliverance, rescue, and safety. God's saving work protected David. Then comes an extremely beautiful phrase in the song, "thy gentleness hath made me great." David's greatness was not only made by God's power, but by God's gentleness. God stooped, helped, taught, corrected, spared, and carried him. Many people want to be made great by force, talent, or recognition. David says God's tenderness made him great.

"Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip."

(2 Samuel 22:37)

God gave David room, stability, and safe footing. A narrow place can make a man slip, but God widened the place beneath David. His feet did not slip because God held him up. He had walked through danger, but the LORD kept him from falling before his enemies.

"I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them."

(2 Samuel 22:38)

This is the language of kingly warfare under God's calling for Israel. David was not speaking of personal revenge against every person who irritated him. He was speaking of God given victory over enemies who threatened the kingdom and opposed the purposes of God.

"And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet."

(2 Samuel 22:39)

David continues describing total victory. The enemies could not rise again. They fell under his feet, a picture of complete defeat and subjection. He had faced enemies who would have destroyed him, his people, and God's covenant purposes if they could.

"For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me."

(2 Samuel 22:40)

God clothed David with strength for battle. The enemies who rose up against him were brought low under him, conquered, or made subject him. His courage, endurance, and victory all came from God.