2 Samuel 22:31-51 & 23:1-7
Q.1. How did David view God? What was the source of his confidence? What impact did this have on his enemies? – (2 Sam.22:31-46)
David saw God as sovereign and supreme over all His creatures – For who is God, besides the Lord? … (2 Sam.22:32). He is also faultless – As for God, His way is blameless … (2 Sam.22:31). David believed of God, that with His wisdom and power – He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him (2 Sam.22:31). This truth made David as sure-footed as the rock-climbing deer. He knew that the Lord kept him safe (2 Sam.22:34 & 37). With God on his side, his weapons of warfare gave him a distinct advantage – You have given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your help makes me great (2 Sam.22:36). David described how he had subdued all his enemies (2 Sam.22:38-43). He was conscious of God’s deliverance from within – from the contentions of my people; You have kept me as head of the nations (2 Sam.22:44). Either through fear, or out of respect, foreigners acknowledged David’s greatness (2 Sam.22:45-46).
Q.2. What did the Lord mean to David? How had God dealt with His servant? What was the theme of his praise? – (2 Sam.22:47-51)
David concluded his psalm with praise of his God – The Lord lives and blessed be my rock; And exalted be God, the rock of my salvation … You even lift me above those who rise up against me … (2 Sam.22:47 & 49). He testified – He is a tower of deliverance to His king, and shows lovingkindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever (2 Sam.22:51). David was the king of Israel but above all wanted the fame of the Lord to be spread abroad – Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the nations, and I will sing praises to Your name (2 Sam.22:50).
Q.3. What was David’s testimony in life? What made his future secure? On what basis are people blessed? – (2 Sam.23:1-7)
David was only too aware of the heights to which he had been raised since his humble beginnings. He knew that this was an act of God. His future was secured by God’s promise to bless him, and also his descendants after him – Truly is not my house so with God. For He has made an everlasting covenant with me, ordered in all things, and secured; For all my salvation and all my desire, will He not indeed make it grow? (2 Sam.23:5). He had been anointed by God and had been gifted as -the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Sam.23:1). We acknowledge David as a great prophet. He gave some of the most oft quoted references to the sufferings of Christ. David attributed these insights to God Himself, when he wrote – The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me … (2 Sam.23:2-3). David expected the Lord to keep His promises to him, and to – the worthless, every one of them will be thrust away like thorns, because they cannot be taken in hand (2 Sam.23:6). What a contrast between the righteous and the ungodly.