2 Samuel – Chapter 22

Old Testament51 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 22 of 2 Samuel begins: "And David spoke to the Lord the words of this canticle, in the day that the Lord delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out…" The chapter centers on David and Saul. Across its 51 verses, two threads run through the text: God's protection and deliverance and justice and care for the poor. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And David spoke to the Lord the words of this canticle, in the day that the Lord delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul,

2And he said: The Lord is my rock, and my strength, and my saviour.

3God is my strong one, in him will I trust: my shield, and the horn of my salvation: he lifteth me up, and is my refuge: my saviour, thou wilt deliver me from iniquity.

4I will call on the Lord who is worthy to be praised: and I shall be saved from my enemies.

5For the pangs of death have surrounded me: the floods of Belial have made me afraid.

6The cords of hell compassed me: the snares of death prevented me.

7In my distress I will call upon the Lord, and I will cry to my God: and he will hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry shall come to his ears.

8The earth shook and trembled, the foundations of the mountains were moved, and shaken, because he was angry with them.

9A smoke went up from his nostrils, and a devouring fire out of his mouth: coals were kindled by it.

10He bowed the heavens, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.

11And he rode upon the cherubims, and flew: and slid upon the wings of the wind.

12He made darkness a covering round about him: dropping waters out of the clouds of the heavens.

13By the brightness before him, the coals of fire were kindled.

14The Lord shall thunder from heaven: and the most high shall give forth his voice.

15He shot arrows and scattered them: lightning, and consumed them.

16And the overflowings of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were laid open at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the spirit of his wrath.

17He sent from on high, and took me, and drew me out of many waters.

18He delivered me from my most mighty enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.

19He prevented me in the day of my affliction, and the Lord became my stay.

20And he brought me forth into a large place, he delivered me, because I pleased him.

21The Lord will reward me according to my justice: and according to the cleanness of my hands he will render to me.

22Because I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

23For all his judgments are in my sight: and his precepts I have not removed from me.

24And I shall be perfect with him: and shall keep myself from my iniquity.

25And the Lord will recompense me according to my justice: and according to the cleanness of my hands in the sight of his eyes.

26With the holy one thou wilt be holy: and with the valiant perfect.

27With the elect thou wilt be elect: and with the perverse thou wilt be perverted.

28And the poor people thou wilt save: and with thy eyes thou shalt humble the haughty.

29For thou art my lamp O Lord: and thou, O Lord, wilt enlighten my darkness.

30For in thee I will run girded: in my God I will leap over the wall.

31God, his way is immaculate, the word of the Lord is tried by fire: he is the shield of all that trust in him.

32Who is God but the Lord: and who is strong but our God?

33God who hath girded me with strength, and made my way perfect.

34Making my feet like the feet of harts, and setting me upon my high places.

35He teacheth my hands to war: and maketh my arms like a bow of brass.

36Thou hast given me the shield of my salvation: and thy mildness hath multiplied me.

37Thou shalt enlarge my steps under me: and my ankles shall not fail.

38I will pursue after my enemies, and crush them: and will not return again till I consume them.

39I will consume them and break them in pieces, so that they shall not rise: they shall fall under my feet.

40Thou hast girded me with strength to battle: thou hast made them that resisted me to bow under me.

41My enemies thou hast made to turn their back to me: them that hated me, and I shall destroy them.

42They shall cry, and there shall be none to save: to the Lord, and he shall not hear them.

43I shall beat them as small as the dust of the earth: I shall crush them and spread them abroad like the mire of the streets.

44Thou wilt save me from the contradictions of my people: thou wilt keep me to be the head of the Gentiles: the people which I know not, shall serve me,

45The sons of the stranger will resist me, at the hearing of the ear they will obey me.

46The strangers are melted away, and shall be straitened in their distresses.

47The Lord liveth, and my God is blessed: and the strong God of my salvation shall be exalted:

48God who giveth me revenge, and bringest down people under me,

49Who bringest me forth from my enemies, and liftest me up from them that resist me: from the wicked man thou shalt deliver me.

50Therefore will I give thanks to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to thy name.

51Giving great salvation to his king, and shewing mercy to David his anointed, and to his seed for ever.

Important Verses in 2 Samuel 22

And David spoke to the Lord the words of this canticle, in the day that the Lord delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul,

2 Samuel 22:1

I will call on the Lord who is worthy to be praised: and I shall be saved from my enemies.

2 Samuel 22:4

The Lord liveth, and my God is blessed: and the strong God of my salvation shall be exalted:

2 Samuel 22:47

Giving great salvation to his king, and shewing mercy to David his anointed, and to his seed for ever.

2 Samuel 22:51

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, 2 Samuel was written with israel, taught that even great kings stand under God's law and mercy in view. Chapter 22 of 24 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 51 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on David and Saul, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "And David spoke to the Lord the words of this canticle, in the day that the Lord delivered him out of the hand of all…" The chapter ends with: "Giving great salvation to his king, and shewing mercy to David his anointed, and to his seed for ever. " The wider setting of 2 Samuel is this: Second Samuel chronicles David's forty-year reign: the capture of Jerusalem, the bringing of the Ark, God's covenant promise of an everlasting dynasty (2 Sam 7), and David's grave sins and repentance. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Events of about 1010-970 BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile.

Who Wrote It

Court traditions compiled by inspired editors, drawing on records of Nathan and Gad

When It Was Written

Events of about 1010-970 BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile

Catholic Commentary

In this 51-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of David's reign and the Davidic covenant. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And David spoke to the Lord the words of this canticle, in the day that the Lord delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul," The passage repeatedly touches on God's protection and deliverance.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of David's reign and the Davidic covenant. the promise to David finds fulfillment in Christ, Son of David (CIC 437-439). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2578).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.

People in This Chapter

David2 mentionsSaul1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches 2 Samuel Chapter 22 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that David's reign and the Davidic covenant is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing justice, charity, and the common good.

Let 2 Samuel Chapter 22 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Samuel Chapter 22 about?

2 Samuel 22 contains 51 verses. It opens with "And David spoke to the Lord the words of this canticle, in the day that the Lord delivered him out of the hand of all…" and closes with "Giving great salvation to his king, and shewing mercy to David his anointed, and to his seed for ever. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in 2 Samuel 22?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And David spoke to the Lord the words of this canticle, in the day that the Lord delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Samuel Chapter 22?

This chapter mentions David, Saul.

Who wrote 2 Samuel and when?

Court traditions compiled by inspired editors, drawing on records of Nathan and Gad. Events of about 1010-970 BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile.

Deepen your understanding with these related articles