2 SAMUEL LESSON 23
We will begin this lesson in II Samuel 22:1 "And David spake unto
the LORD the words of this song in the day [that] the LORD had
delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand
of Saul:"
This is the very same song that is given in Psalms chapter 18.
This is a song of thanksgiving. The song, itself, is written by David.
Notice, this song is for the LORD.
II Samuel 22:2 "And he said, The LORD [is] my rock, and my
fortress, and my deliverer;"
The LORD had been all of these things to David. The LORD, as the
Rock, is the basis for the teaching of building your house upon the
Rock. Deuteronomy 32:4 "[He is] the Rock, his work [is] perfect: for
all his ways [are] judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just
and right [is] he." It was from the Rock in the wilderness that the
water flowed from, and fed the multitude. David had experienced the
LORD as his fortress, when he was hunted by Saul. The LORD was his
Deliverer, when He delivered him over and over from harms way.
II Samuel 22:3 "The God of my rock; in him will I trust: [he is]
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge,
my saviour; thou savest me from violence."
There is a state of rest and trust that we can all have, if we
believe in Jesus to the utmost. David has obviously found that place.
His faith has become so strong, that it has become trust. Trust is a
place of rest in the LORD. He is aware that the LORD is his Rock, that
he must build upon to have that solid foundation. He knows that he
cannot trust in man, just in the LORD. He knows the LORD builds a
hedge around him and protects him, and is, therefore, his shield. The
"horn" symbolizes strength. There is great strength in the assurance
of salvation. The fact that he has risen above the world, makes the
LORD his high tower. It is the strength of the LORD that makes it
possible to rise above the mire of the world, when the world seems to
close in around us, or David. We can be like David and run to our
refuge, the LORD. He saves from violence. Psalms 91:7 "A thousand
shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it
shall not come nigh thee."
II Samuel 22:4 "I will call on the LORD, [who is] worthy to be
praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies."
David, very early on, discovered that when he called on the LORD,
there was no way to fail. David inquired of the will of the LORD
before undertaking a battle. His only failure was when he listened to
his flesh, instead of obeying the commands of the LORD. David was
totally aware that his success was because of the strength of the LORD
within him. He would continually praise the LORD for his greatness.
Another reason to praise the LORD, is the fact that He inhabits the
praises of his people. It is the LORD, who saved David from his
enemies.
II Samuel 22:5 "When the waves of death compassed me, the floods
of ungodly men made me afraid;" II Samuel 22:6 "The sorrows of hell
compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;" II Samuel 22:7
"In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he
did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry [did enter] into his
ears."
There are so many lessons in this song, that David gives, that
can apply to our life right now. If we could only understand, when we
are facing an angry world, and even when we are facing death, that our
help is in the Lord. We have not, because we ask not. Help is just a
prayer away. God always hears the prayers of his people. The one thing
that could separate David from other people in the Bible, was his
great love for the LORD.
II Samuel 22:8 "Then the earth shook and trembled; the
foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth."
II Samuel 22:9 "There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire
out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it." II Samuel 22:10
"He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness [was] under
his feet."
The one thing I want us to see in this, is this is not a
description of the power of the devil, this is the wrath of God. When
the wrath of God comes against an unrepentant people, there are
earthquakes, volcanoes, and storms of every kind imaginable. We must
remember that, the fire and brimstone sent on Sodom and Gomorrah was
from the LORD on a sinful people, who would not repent. Our God is a
consuming fire, as well as a loving Father.
II Samuel 22:11 "And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he
was seen upon the wings of the wind." II Samuel 22:12 "And he made
darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, [and] thick clouds of
the skies." II Samuel 22:13 "Through the brightness before him were
coals of fire kindled."
God is control of all of the elements of the world. He commands
the wind, and the rain. His presence with the children of Israel was
known by the smoke by day and the fire by night. We do know, the
presence of God in the holy of holies in the tabernacle, had cherubims
at each end of the mercy seat. God is a Spirit. He does not need to
ride on anything, but this is David's way of expressing the
omnipresence of God. He knows the presence of God is there when
needed, but this is the way he explains His immediate arrival.
II Samuel 22:14 "The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most
High uttered his voice."
When the voice comes from heaven to someone, he understands what
the voice is saying. Others, standing around, will think it thundered.
II Samuel 22:15 "And he sent out arrows, and scattered them;
lightning, and discomfited them."
Many times, the enemies of the people of the LORD experience
terrible lightning and thundering in the midst of battle. This is the
LORD fighting for His people.
II Samuel 22:16 "And the channels of the sea appeared, the
foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD,
at the blast of the breath of his nostrils."
David is speaking of the nostrils of the LORD opening the Red
Sea. Exodus 15:8 "And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were
gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, [and] the
depths were congealed in the heart of the sea."
II Samuel 22:17 "He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out
of many waters;" II Samuel 22:18 "He delivered me from my strong
enemy, [and] from them that hated me: for they were too strong for
me."
The "many waters", in the verse above, speak of the mass of
David's enemies. David is very well aware that it was the LORD, who
had reached down from heaven, and took him out of his place of great
danger.
II Samuel 22:19 "They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but
the LORD was my stay." II Samuel 22:20 "He brought me forth also into
a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me."
"Stay", in the verse above, is speaking of a support. David is
assured that his supernatural protection that he received from the
LORD, was because of God's love for him.
II Samuel 22:21 "The LORD rewarded me according to my
righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he
recompensed me." II Samuel 22:22 "For I have kept the ways of the
LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God." II Samuel 22:23
" For all his judgments [were] before me: and [as for] his statutes, I
did not depart from them." II Samuel 22:24 "I was also upright before
him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity." II Samuel 22:25
"Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness;
according to my cleanness in his eye sight."
This is speaking of the life that David lived, before he met
Bath-sheba. He was righteous in the sight of the LORD. He did not have
sinful hands. He is correct in saying, at that time, he had not
departed to worldly ways. Not only, did God love David, but David's
heart was stayed upon the LORD. David is absolutely sure that the
wonderful protection and blessings from God came, because of his
relationship with the LORD. At that time, David was totally obedient
to the LORD.
II Samuel 22:26 "With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself
merciful, [and] with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright."
II Samuel 22:27 "With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with
the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury." II Samuel 22:28 "And
the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes [are] upon the
haughty, [that] thou mayest bring [them] down."
All of this is saying that, whatever you do to others, will be
done to you. What you sow, you reap. David is fully aware to receive
blessings from God, he must bless others around him who are God's
creation.
II Samuel 22:29 "For thou [art] my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD
will lighten my darkness."
The Lord is the Light of the world. John 8:12 "Then spake Jesus
again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that
followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of
life." Ephesians 5:8 "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are
ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:"
II Samuel 22:30 "For by thee I have run through a troop: by my
God have I leaped over a wall."
We know this is true, because David was in the midst of Saul's
troops, when he cut the skirt of Saul off. Fortifications are intended
with the reference to the wall.
II Samuel 22:31 "[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."
"Buckler", in the verse above, means shield, or protector.
Deuteronomy 32:4 "[He is] the Rock, his work [is] perfect: for all his
ways [are] judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and
right [is] he." Matthew 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your
Father which is in heaven is perfect."
II Samuel 22:32 "For who [is] God, save the LORD? and who [is] a
rock, save our God?"
"God" in "for who is God" is translated from El. It could be
speaking of the Almighty. There is no other God. I John 5:7 "For there
are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the
Holy Ghost: and these three are one." God is a Spirit. God is a
consuming Fire. God is the LORD. God is our Rock. God is Truth. God is
Light. God is Life. God is everything positive and good in this world.
We build our lives upon this Rock, because everything else is shifting
sand.
II Samuel 22:33 "God [is] my strength [and] power: And he maketh
my way perfect." II Samuel 22:34 "He maketh my feet like hinds'
[feet]: and setteth me upon my high places." II Samuel 22:35 "He
teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine
arms."
God's ways are perfect. I have said so many times that, true
Christians are believers in and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. If
we are Christians, we must become more and more like Him every day.
David is proclaiming that his strength in everything he does, is in
Jesus. The Christians say it the way it is in the following Scripture.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me."
II Samuel 22:36 "Thou hast also given me the shield of thy
salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great."
Notice, salvation is a free gift.
II Samuel 22:37 "Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my
feet did not slip." II Samuel 22:38 I have pursued mine enemies, and
destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
II Samuel 22:39 "And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they
could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet." II Samuel 22:40
"For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up
against me hast thou subdued under me." II Samuel 22:41 "Thou hast
also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them
that hate me."
David knows from experience, that his strength and victory in his
battles was from God. This assurance of who God is and what He does,
to help those who obey Him, is a personal thing with David. We, also,
know from the judges, that God strengthened them, also, to help in
battle against their enemy, who was, also, the enemy of God. David was
really a warrior in the employ of the LORD. David's victories were
victories for God, as well.
II Samuel 22:42 "They looked, but [there was] none to save;
[even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not."
This is speaking of the heathen, who never knew God, but it is,
also, speaking of those who knew God, and turned into idolatry, as
well. God would not save them because they were unfaithful to Him.
II Samuel 22:43 "Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the
earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, [and] did spread
them abroad."
David, as the champion of the LORD, defeated the enemies of the
LORD.
II Samuel 22:44 "Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings
of my people, thou hast kept me [to be] head of the heathen: a people
[which] I knew not shall serve me." II Samuel 22:45 "Strangers shall
submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be
obedient unto me." II Samuel 22:46 "Strangers shall fade away, and
they shall be afraid out of their close places."
Heathen people did take David in, when he was running from Saul.
The heathen did greatly admire him, since his hundreds avoided being
killed by Saul's thousands. We know, also, that there came a time when
David left the heathens, and came back to lead the Israelites,
after the death of Saul.
II Samuel 22:47 "The LORD liveth; and blessed [be] my rock; and
exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation."
David pauses to give great praise to the LORD, again. The word
"liveth" means continues to live. This shows the eternity of the LORD.
David cannot say enough of the greatness of the God, who is his Rock.
He is, not only, the salvation of David, but of all who will dare to
believe.
II Samuel 22:48 "It [is] God that avengeth me, and that bringeth
down the people under me," II Samuel 22:49 "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."
David realizes that his success is because of what God has made
him. We all are what God allows us to be. He is leader of all Israel,
because God anointed him to be leader of all Israel. It was God, who
elevated David to this position, not David.
II Samuel 22:50 "Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD,
among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name."
This is so great, that David realizes his part in this, is to
thank the LORD for the things He has done. David is saying "To God be
the glory for the things He has done". God rescued David over and
over, and the heathen are aware of this protection, and anointing that
the LORD has on David.
II Samuel 22:51 "[He is] the tower of salvation for his king: and
sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for
evermore."
The LORD had promised David an everlasting kingdom. This will be
fulfilled through Jesus Christ, who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
He will come and reign upon this earth as King of kings and Lord of
lords. Luke 1:31 "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and
bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." Luke 1:32 "He shall
be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his father David:" Luke 1:33 "And he
shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there
shall be no end."
2 Samuel 23 Questions
1. What are the words of this chapter?
2. Who wrote these words?
3. The Lord is my ______, and my ________, and my deliverer.
4. How does the author describe verse 3 of this lesson?
5. What does the "horn" symbolize?
6. Quote Psalms chapter 91 verse 7.
10. Who is worthy to be praised?
11. How bad were the conditions David faced in verses 5, 6, and 7?
12. What does verse 8 say, happened in response to David's need?
13. Who controls the elements of the world?
14. What does the voice of the LORD sound like to those who are
standing by, when someone hears the voice of God?
15. In David's distress, he called upon the ________.
16. What is the one thing the author wants us to see in verses 8, 9,
and 10?
17. Our God is a consuming __________, as well as a loving Father.
18. How was the presence of God seen by the children of Israel?
19. When God speaks to someone from heaven, he understands what He is
saying. Others standing nearby think it _____________.
20. What is the lightning called in verse 15?
21. What is David speaking of in verse 16?
22. What is the statement "many waters" saying in verse 17?
23. What is "stay", in verse 19, speaking of?
24. David said the LORD rewarded him according to his _____________.
25. Verses 26, 27, and 28, are saying what?
26. Quote John chapter 8 verse 12.
27. For who is God, save the _________?
28. Notice, salvation is a ________ _______.
29. David, as the ____________ of the LORD, defeated the enemies of
the LORD.
30. Who accepted David better than his own people?
31. What does "liveth" show us?
32. What had God promised David?
33. Quote Luke chapter 1 verses 31 through 33.
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