Annotations Upon the Historical Books Part 2, 2 Samuel · Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII.
Verſ. 1. ANd David spake unto the Lord the words of this ſong, in the day that the Lord had delivered him, &c.] In expreſſing the time, and the occaſion of Davids compoſing this following Pſalme, to wit, that it was when the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul; his deliverance from Saul is particularly mentioned, not becauſe that was the laſt of his deliverances, but becauſe that was the greateſt; the fury and rage of Saul againſt him, was greateſt and of longeſt continuance, and brought him often into the greateſt dangers, and therefore he mentions this particularly: when David had gotten ſome breathing-time from his troubles, he gave not himſelf to idleneſſe and worldly pleaſures, but calling to mind his many former deliverances, he compoſed Pſalmes of thanksgiving, that God might have the glory of all that he had done for him.
Verſ. 2. And he ſaid, The Lord is my rock, and my fortreſſe, and my deliverer, &c.] This very ſong we have again in the book of the Pſalmes, and it is there the 18. Pſalme, onelyonly there are ſome clauſes here, that are expreſſed there in other words, and in ſome places a clauſe is now and then added alſo in one of them, which is not in the other, as here in the very beginning of the Pſalme we have not thoſe words, I will love thee, O Lord, my ſtrength, which are there prefixed, the reaſon whereof may be, as ſome Expoſitours conceive, becauſe here we have it, as it was at firſt compoſed by David; but there as it was afterwards reviſed, and upon ſecond thoughts, in ſome expreſſions, altered and changed, when he delivered it to the Levites to be ſung in the Temple: the reaſon why he uſeth here in the entrance of the Pſalme, ſuch variety of expreſſions to ſet forth the praiſe of God, calling him his rock, his fortreſſe, his deliverer, his ſhield, the horn of his ſalvation, his high tower, his refuge, his ſaviour, is partly, becauſe his heart was ſo full of thankfulneſſe upon the conſideration of his many deliverances, that this made him ſo abundantly to powre out his ſoul in the high praiſes of God, he thought he could never ſufficiently expreſſe them; and partly, becauſe he deſired hereby to ſet forth, what an alſufficient defence the Lord was unto him, that God was all in all for his preſervation, and that there was no ſecuritie to be thought on, but he had found it in God.
Verſ. 3. The God of my rock, in him will I truſt, &c.] Pſal. 18. verſ. 2. this is expreſſed thus, my God, my strength, in whom I will truſt; and the laſt clauſe of this verſe. my refuge, my Saviour, thou ſavest me from violence, is not in the 18. Pſalme: as for the next words here, he is my ſheild, and the horn of my ſalvation: a horn ſignifieth in the Scripture, power, and glory, Pſal. 92.10. My horn ſhalt thou exalt, like the horn of an unicorn, Amos 6.13. Have we not taken to us horns, by our own strength: Hab. 3.4. He had horns coming out of his hand, and there was the hiding of his power: horns therefore are uſed to ſignifie kings, Dan. 8.21. The great horn that is between his eyes, is the firſt king: Rev. 17.12. And the ten horns which thou ſaweſt, are ten kings, &c. in which regard Chriſt is called an horn of ſalvation, Luke 1.69. God therefore is here called by David the horn of his ſalvation, to imply, that by him he had been advanced and enabled, both to defend himſelf, and to puſh down his enemies before him.
Verſ 5 When the waves of death compaſſed me: the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.] To expreſſe the condition he was in, by reaſon of his enemies, David compares them here to waves, and floods of waters: firſt, to ſet forth the multitude of his enemies, they came in amain to Saul from all parts of the kingdome, to take part againſt David, as in a flood the waves come tumbling, and rowling one in the neck of another: ſecondly, to ſignifie the violent rage of his enemies who were in this regard like floods of water that come rowling down from hills, and mountains, and carry all before them: and thirdly, to intimate that yet like land floods, that continued not long, their roaring rage made him afraid, but that fear did drive him to God (as it follows in the next verſe,) and then their rage was ſoon ſtilled, and ſo his former fears made him now the more thankfull.
Verſ. 6. The ſorrows of hell compaſſed me about, the ſnares of death prevented me.] That is, deadly ſorrows and dangers had ſo hemmed me in, that there ſeemed to be no poſſibilitie of eſcaping them, no more then there is of a ſick mans eſcape, that hath pangs of death already upon him, I was brought to the very brink of hell, or of the grave, there was but a ſtep betwixt me and death, 1. Sam. 20.3. and to the ſame purpoſe tends the next clauſe, the ſnares of death prevented me, that is, my enemies had ſo cunningly contrived their plots for my death, that like hidden ſnares they were ready to take hold on me ſuddenly, ere I was aware of them, in ſo much, that all hope of help ſeemed to be prevented; if help ſhould come, it would come too late.
Verſ. 7. I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God, and he did then heare my voice out of his Temple.] That is, he heard me out of heaven, which is here called the Temple of God, becauſe the Temple was a type of heaven: firſt, as being the place of Gods ſpeciall preſence (fot though God be every where preſent, yet in heaven he manifeſts his preſence in a more eminent manner then elſewhere:) ſecondly, in regard of the exceeding glory of heaven, which to ſhadow forth, the Temple was built ſo exceeding glorious: and thirdly, in regard of the tranſcendent holineſſe of heaven, whither no unclean thing ſhall ever enter, where God is continually ſerved by his Angels, and glorified Saints, and there is not the leaſt mixture of pollution in their ſervice.
Verſ. 8. Then the earth ſhook and trembled; the foundation of heaven moved, &c.] In theſe and the following words David ſheweth how the Lord in his hot diſpleaſure, fought from heaven againſt his enemies, and poured forth his vengeance upon them, and that under the ſimilitude of a ſore tempeſtuous ſtorm, when the earth quakes, the air is covered with thick, black, and dark miſts, and ſends forth winds, rain, thunder, and lightning, &c. firſt, to imply that the Lords power and terrible wrath, was as evidently to be ſeen, and as much to be admired in the deſtruction of his enemies, as in a horrid and terrible ſtorm, wherein every one is forced to acknowledge his hand: and ſecondly, to imply how ſuddenly God reſcued him and deſtroyed them; things were changed on a ſudden, as when a ſtorm unexpectly ariſeth in the air: and thirdly, to allude to the puniſhment of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, when God reſcued his people thence, for the Scriptures do uſually allude to that redemption of Iſrael out of Egypt, that being as it were the archtype, or chief pattern, wherein God meant to let his people ſee, how in all ſucceeding ages, be would deliver them, and deſtroy their enemies; in Pſal. 18.7. this firſt clauſe is expreſſed thus, the foundations of the hills moved, and the meaning is, that the hills were ſhaken even from their very foundations, or bottomes; but here theſe hills are called the foundations of heaven, as elſewhere alſo, to wit, Job. 26.11. the pillars of heaven, becauſe the tops of high mountains ſeems to touch the clouds, and the heavens ſeem to lean upon them; and becauſe the earth is in the centre of the world, about the which, the heavens do continually turn.
Verſ. 10. He bowed the heavens alſo, and came down, &c.] For in rainy and tempeſtuous weather, not onelyonly the tops of hills ſeem covered with clouds, but every where the lower region of the air is filled with miſts, and cloudy darkneſſe; but withall ſome conceive, that this following expreſſion, and darkneſſe was under his feet, is uſed to imply Gods coming inviſibly to the help of David.
Verſ. 11. And he rode upon a Cherub, and did flie: and he was ſeen upon the wings of the wind.] In Pſalme 18.10. it is, And he did flie upon the wings of the wind: David here ſpeaketh of ſtrong and violent winds, which the Lord alſo uſeth as his inſtruments in the execution of his judgements; he ſaith, that he rode upon a Cherub: to wit, becauſe the Lord governs the winds at his command, by the miniſtery of the Angels, they raiſe them, and they ſtill them: and they order them as God hath appointed, and he uſeth the word Cherub, rather then that of Angel, becauſe the Angels were repreſented in the mercy ſeat and tabernacle, under the figure of golden-winged Cherubims, and he deſired ſo to expreſſe the power of God here, as withall, he might put them in mind, that it was that God who did all theſe things, that had entred into a ſpeciall covenant with Iſrael that he would be their God, and they ſhould be his people, and ſo dwelt among them in his tabernacle.
Verſ. 12. And he made darkneſſe pavilions round about him.] To wit as a king that being angry, ſhould withdraw himſelf from his ſubjects, and not ſuffer them to ſee him.
Verſ. 13. Through the brightneſſe before him were coals of fire kindled, &c.] This is ſomewhat varied, Pſal. 18.12, 13. At the brightneſſe that was before him his thick clouds paſſed, hail-stones and coals of fire. The Lord alſo thundred in the heavens, and the higheſt gave his voice, hail-ſtones and coals of fire.
Verſ. 15. And he ſent out arrows, and ſcattered them; lightning and diſcomfited them.] By Gods arrows here, are meant thunderbolts or hail-ſtones, &c. as the hail-ſtones that fell upon the Canaanites, are called arrows, Hab. 3.11. and therefore alſo, Pſalme 18.14. the laſt clauſe is expreſſed thus, He ſhot out lightning, and diſcomfited them.
Verſ. 16. And the chanels of the ſea appeared, the foundations of the world were diſcovered, &c.] This is meant of the raging of the ſeas in tempeſtuous weather, when the waves will riſe in ſuch an admirable manner, as if in the gulfs and breaches of the waves made thereby, the very channel and bottome of thoſe ſeas would be diſcovered and laid bare; yet withall, there may be in theſe words, an alluſion to the drying up of the red ſea and Jordan before Iſrael.
Verſ. 17. He ſent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.] This expreſſion David uſeth, to imply how ſtrange and miraculous his deliverance was, as if a hand from heaven had been reached forth to ſnatch him up when he was ready to ſink.
Verſ. 18. He delivered me from my ſtrong enemy, &c.] This ſeems to be meant of Saul in particular, but may be alſo underſtood indefinitely of all his ſtrong enemies: the like may be ſaid of that clauſe, verſ. 49. Thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
Verſ. 20, He brought me forth alſo into a large place, &c.] That is, he freed me out of all the ſtraits I was in, and this he did, not for any merit in me, but of his own free grace and favour, He delivered me becauſe he delighted in me.
Verſ. 21. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteouſneſſe, &c.] That is, according to mine innocencie, in regard of mine enemies. Davids enemies charged him with ambition, rebellion againſt Saul, and many other grievous crimes; but they charged him unjuſtly, and therefore God that knew his integrity, took his part againſt his enemies: nor need we ſtartle at it, that David calls the good which God had done for him, a reward and a recompence; for though the obedience of Gods ſervants is a due debt which they owe to God, and it is God that enables them to do what they do; yet God of his own free grace may reward them that ſerve him, though their works be farre ſhort of that which they ſhould be.
Verſ. 22. For I have kept the wayes of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.] That is, I have not caſt off that care and endeavour to walk in Gods wayes, which God requires in all his ſervants; becauſe every man by the law of nature is bound to obey the law of his Creatour, therefore when men do not herein keep cloſe to God, they do in a manner forſake him, there ſinne is in a degree a defection from God: but yet becauſe Gods righteous ſervants do ſincerely deſire and endeavour to keep his laws, even then when they break them; therefore indeed their ſlips are not an abſolute defection from God, and to diſtinguiſh Davids failings from ſuch a deſperate apoſtaſie, ſpeaking here of his integrity, he expreſſeth it thus, that he not had wickedly departed from his God.
Verſ. 25. Therefore the Lord hath recompenſed me according to my righteouſneſſe, according to my cleanneſſe in his eye ſight.] Or, The cleanneſſe of my hands, as it is expreſſed, Pſalme 18.24.
Verſ. 27. And with the froward thou wilt ſhew thy ſelf unſavourie.] That is, as they walk croſſe and contrary to thee, ſo thou wilt walk contrary to them, oppoſing and croſſing them in all they do; according to that, Levit. 26.27 28. And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me, then I will walk contrary unto you alſo, in fury. &c.
Verſ. 28. And the afflicted people thou wilt ſave, but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou maist bring them down.] This is added, to clear that which went before, though God ſeem not alwayes to deal with men as they deſerve, yet the iſſue ſhews he doth: for though the righteous be afflicted for a time, yet they at length ſhall be ſaved, and though the wicked proſper a while, yet at length in their pride they ſhall be be brought down, Thine eyes are upon the haughtie, or, Thou wilt bring down high looks, Pſalme 18.27. when he ſpares ſuch for a time, he doth but watch for an opportunitie to poure out his wrath among them: his eyes are upon them all the time to watch for a fit ſeaſon to ruine them.
Verſ. 29. For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkneſſe.] Or as it is expreſſed, Pſalme 18.28. For thou wilt light my candle, the Lord my God will enlighten my darkneſſe: the meaning is, either that God would turn his affliction and grief into proſperity and comfort, according to that, Eſther 8.19. The Jews had light and gladneſſe, and joy and honour: or elſe, that God would direct him and comfort him in his afflictions, as God makes the wicked grope even at noon, ſo he cauſeth a light to ſhine upon his righteous ſervants, even in their greateſt darkneſſe, by directing them what to do, when of themſelves, they know not which way to turn themſelves, and as a candle is a great comfort in the dark, though it doth not make day where it comes, as the ſunne doth, ſo it is a great mercy, when God doth chear up, and enlighten the ſpirits of his people in affliction, though he doth not take the affliction away.
Verſ. 30. By my God have I leaped over a wall.] That is, I have not onelyonly ſcaled their walls, and ſo have taken their cities, forts, and caſtles, but I have done it ſpeedily; but it may alſo be meant of his overcoming all difficulties that were in his way.
Verſ. 31. The word of the Lord is tried.] That is, it hath been proved to be true, by unqueſtionable proof and experience.
Verſ. 33. God is my ſtrength and power.] Or it is God that girdeth me with ſtrength, Pſalme 18.22.
And he maketh my way perfect.] That is, by him I fully accompliſh all my attempts, by his providence all impediments being removed, I fail not to perfect what I go about.
Verſ. 34. He maketh my feet like hinds feet, &c.] This may be meant of agility, and nimbleneſſe, a great help in martiall affairs, 1. Chron. 12.8. and were as ſwift: as Roes upon the mountains: but I conceive, it is rather meant of his ſudden and ſpeedy ſucceſſe, in taking the ſtrong forts of his enemies, that as hinds do ſuddenly runne up to the top of inacceſſible rocks, ſo he did ſuddenly take into his power the ſtrong towers and forts of his enemies.
Verſ. 35. A bow of ſteel is broken by mine arms.] It ſeems they had in thoſe times ſome bows made of ſteel, becauſe that is more flexible, and ſtronger then iron; whence is that, Job. 20.24, He ſhall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel ſhall ſtrike him through.
Verſ. 36. And thy gentleneſſe hath made me great.] In Pſal. 18.35. it is, And thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleneſſe hath made me great.
Verſ. 37. Thou haſt enlarged my ſteps under me, &c.] Thou haſt removed all impediments out of my way, that might hinder me in the enterprizes which I undertook; and by that means I went on freely without any rub: the contrary we ſee is affirmed of the wicked, Job 18.7. The steps of his strength ſhall be ſtraitned, and his own counſel ſhall cast him down: when a man goeth in a deep troubleſome way, he can hardly ſtirre his feet, but paſſeth on ſlowly; but in a plain way, he may take large ſteps, and make what ſpeed he will, hence is this expreſſion.
Verſ. 39. And I have conſumed them, &c.] Pſal. 18.38. I have wounded them that they were not able to riſe, they are fallen under my feet.
Verſ. 42. They looked but there was none to ſave them: even unto the Lord, but he anſwered them not.] Or, they cried, and there was none to ſave them, as is expreſſed. Pſal. 18.41. for even wicked men, and idolatours, may in their extremitie call upon the Lord; though doing it without faith and repentance their prayers duplicate page duplicate page are not accepted of the Lord, and the very light of nature teacheth men when they pray to look up unto God.
Verſ. 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.] In Pſal. 18.42. it is, Then did I beat them as ſmall as the dust before the wind, I did caſt them out as the dirt in the ſtreets: having ſaid before, that they looked to God, and he regarded them not, then he addes, then did I beat them, &c. when God once withdraws his protection and help from a people, it is an eaſie matter to tread them down, and beat them in pieces.
Verſ. 44. Thou alſo haſt delivered me from the ſtrivings of my people, thou haſt kept me to be the head of the heathen, &c.] That is, thou haſt not onelyonly delivered me from mine own people, over whom thou wert pleaſed to anoint me king, when they roſe up againſt me (as we know they did in the warres that Saul made againſt him, in the rebellion of Abſalom, the inſurrection of Sheba, &) but haſt alſo brought many nations of the heathens to be in ſubjection under me, and to acknowledge me, to be their Lord and head: now herein was David alſo a type of Chriſt; for firſt, the Jews that were Gods own peculiar people, and that pretended to truſt in the promiſed Meſſiah, were the cruelleſt enemies to Chriſt that ever he had, and ſo it hath been ſince too, amongſt thoſe that have profeſſed themſelves Chriſtians; never did Turks and infidels more for the ruin of Chriſts kingdome, then they have done; onelyonly ſtill the ſtrivings of his people againſt his Scepter and government, have been in vain: and ſecondly, when the Gentiles were converted to the faith of Chriſt, he became then more truely then ever David was, the head of the heathen.
Verſ. 45. Strangers ſhall ſubmit themſelves unto me, &c.] This is ſtill intended both of David and of Chriſt, of whom David was a type; of David, in regard of the many neighbouring nations, that ſhould become tributaries to him; of Chriſt, in regard of the converſion of the Gentiles, who were aliens and ſtrangers from the commonwealth of Iſrael, and did yet come in and ſubmit themſelves to Chriſt the ſonne of David. In the margin theſe words are rendred thus, Strangers ſhall yield fained obedience unto me: and indeed, as it was no doubt true of many of the heathens that were ſubdued by David, that they ſubmitted themſelves to him, becauſe they durſt do no other: either for fear of being deſtroyed, or becauſe the greateſt number yielded, and then it was in vain for them to ſtand out (for this is the lot of conquerours, their yoke is received, but they have not the hearts of them that ſtoop to it) ſo is it uſually with thoſe that become Chriſtians, they yield Chriſt onelyonly fained obedience, they call him Lord, but his yoke is burthenſome to them, and they are farre from being ſuch indeed, as they profeſſe themſelves to be.
As ſoon as they heare, they ſhall be obedient unto me.] That is, ſpeedily, as ſoon as they heare of any coming againſt them, without any more ado; ſo terrible the very name of David ſhould be unto them: but eſpecially is this verified in Chriſt, of whom David in this was a type; for the hearing of the word of Chriſt preached, is that whereby they are brought to ſtoop to his Sceptre, Rom. 10.17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God: Epheſ. 1.13. In whom ye alſo truſted after you heared the word of truth.
Verſ. 46. Strangers ſhall fade away, &c.] The meaning of this is, either that the glory and ſtrength of the heathens ſhould by little and little decay and waſte away, untill they came to ſubmit themſelves unto him; or elſe rather, that their hearts ſhould die, and fade; and faint away within them for fear; and therefore it follows, and they ſhall be afraid out of their cloſe places, though they be in places of never ſuch impregnable ſtrength; even from theſe cloſe places, theſe fortified cities, towers and caſtles, they ſhall be no leſſe afraid, then if they were in ſome poor unwalled villages: and this alſo may be not unfitly applyed to Chriſt, for it muſt be the fear of Gods wrath, the ſpirit of bondage, that muſt bring men in to ſubmit to Chriſts ſceptre: as long as a man doth hope that his own righteouſneſſe will ſhelter him, and can truſt in his prayers, his alms, &c. in theſe cloſe places he will abide, and deſpiſe Chriſt: but if once he is afraid in his cloſe places, he ſeeth the weakneſſe and vanitie of theſe things, then he will come out of them, and diſclaim all hope in them, and ſubmit himſelf to Chriſt.
Verſ. 52. Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, &c.] The meaning is, that he would labour to ſpread the knowledge of God, and ſo to praiſe his name among the heathen nations that God had brought in ſubjection under him: but eſpecially by a propheticall ſpirit, the prophet ſpeaks this, with reference to Chriſts calling in of the Gentiles to be with the Jews one people, and therefore the Apoſtle, to prove that God intended to call in the Gentiles, cites this very place, Rom. 15.8, 9. Jeſus Chriſt was a miniſter of the circumciſion for the truth of God, to confirm the promiſes made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might qlorifie God for his mercy, as it is written, For this cauſe I will confeſſe to thee among the Gentiles.
Verſ. 51. He is the towre of ſalvation for his king: and ſheweth mercy unto his anointed, unto David and to his ſeed for evermore.] That is Chriſt, Who was made of the ſeed of David according to the fleſh, Rom. 1.3. Acts 13.23. Of this mans ſeed, hath God according to his promiſe, raiſed unto Iſrael a Saviour, Jeſus: and ſo conſequently, to the faithfull members of Chriſt, who are by faith the ſeed of Chriſt, Iſaiah 53.10. He ſhall ſee his ſeed, &c. and therefore it is, Iſai. 8.18. applyed to Chriſt, Heb. 2.13. Behold, I and the children which God hath given me.