Today, we begin 2nd Samuel Chapter 22.
For the Complete Jewish Bible, click HERE
For the King James Version, click HERE.
“David said the words of this song to Adonai on the day Adonai delivered him from the power of all his enemies and from the power of Sha’ul.”-2 Samuel 22:1
Two things come to mind when I read this song of David’s.
FIRST, as I mentioned earlier, this chapter should really start from verse 15 of the previous chapter 21, where it kicks off the narrative by saying:
“Once again, the P’lishtim made war on Isra’el. David went down with his servants and fought against the P’lishtim, but David began to get tired.”-2 Samuel 21:15
Since the opening words of chapter 22 speak of the Lord delivering David from his enemies, starting this chapter from 2 Samuel 21:15 would make everything flow nicely as one coherent thought.
SECOND, I know this position is controversial, but I’m going to assert that David composed this song in his golden years as he reflected on the many times the Lord delivered him from disaster.
This means I’m also asserting this song was composed after his affair with Bathsheba.
That’s right, homies.
That’s where the controversy arises because you’re gonna wonder how David could have said and prayed some of the things he did in light of his sin with Bathsheba and the horrific consequences that followed.
Anyways, we’ll cross those bridges when we get to them.
So keep your horses bridled until then.
I think you’re gonna find the theological consequences quite inspiring.
Onward.
So this chapter is known as David’s Song of Thanksgiving.
You’ll find an almost exact duplicate in Psalm 18.
You’ll also find some slight differences, but they are quite small
Now, many folks consider this song to be David’s last words.
They wouldn’t be wrong.
It is indeed a poetic recap of the many lessons he learned through his life’s trials and tribulations.
David writes about what he’s learned over a lifetime of walking with the Lord, his kingship, the nature of God’s kingdom, and so on.
There are even some prophetic elements woven into it that are Messianic in nature, speaking of a future king and his kingdom to come.
You’ll also encounter an abundance of metaphorical expressions talking about the Lord riding on Cherubim, shooting arrows, and breathing smoke and fire out of his mouth, etc.
Just to let you know, these phrases are simply figures of speech.
So don’t be like the Mormons and take everything literally.
These are just ways to flesh out the Lord’s attributes using illustrations common to the Hebrews of that era.
Also, keep in mind that sometimes words are picked just to make the poem flow and sound good, not to impart any precise meaning.
Either way, you’re in for an exciting theological feast here with all the fixings!
Alrighty, let’s transition over to the takeaway.
So here’s the thing.
What David did by composing this song is something I think all believers should do.
When was the last time you sat down and recalled in writing all of the great things the Lord has done for you?
The times when He healed your illnesses.
The times when He rescued you from financial disaster.
The supernatural peace He gave you amidst a time of chaos in your life, like a job loss or divorce.
Don’t you think remembering how the Lord has helped you can strengthen your faith?
I know it always lifts me up when I take time to do that.
In fact, if you think about it, that’s the whole purpose of Scripture.
To serve as a record of how the Lord has worked in history…
So we can go back and read about His awesome exploits…
And thus be emboldened in our faith.
See ya all next time.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“For whatever was written in former days
was written for our instruction,
that through endurance and the encouragement
of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
– Romans 15:4
“Now these things happened to them as an example,
and they were written down as a warning for us,
on whom the culmination of the ages has come.”
– 1 Corinthians 10:11
“For the word of God is
living and active,
sharper than any two-edged sword…”
– Hebrews 4:12
In Sales, there is something called “The Ben Franklin Close”.
It is rumored that Benjamin Franklin, when having to make a decision, would take a piece of paper and draw a line down the center of it, the one side would list all the advantages and on the other side all the disadvantages.
Whichever side had the most items was the way he would decide.
What’s this got to do with your message? Plenty.
When you are upset and feel that God isn’t listening to you, take a piece of paper and write down all the times in your life where you were saved from destruction (like that time you had a flat tire and a tow truck pulled up, out of nowhere, to help you), or the time you crossed the street without looking and the car stopped just before running you over, or the peace you felt that one time you smelled the roses, and remembered that God put them there, just for you, just at that time, just when you needed them.
Or the fact that you are alive, as healthy as you are (which means any condition other than dead), or any number of blessings that you never really noticed.
By writing these things down, you are causing yourself to remember, as David did, all the wonderful and miraculous events in your life, and realizing that God was always there.
Like that old story about footprints in the sand.
You could also write down all the bad things, and when you do I believe you will find that one side of the paper has a lot more than the other side, and that side will be the one with all the blessings.
Excellent! Love this.