2 Samuel 18:19

David Learns of Absalom’s Death

18:19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me run and give the king the good news that the Lord has vindicated him before his enemies.”

2 Samuel 22:1

David Sings to the Lord

22:1 David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord rescued him from the power of all his enemies, including Saul.

2 Samuel 22:49

22:49 He delivers me from my enemies;

you snatch me away from those who attack me;

you rescue me from violent men.


tn Heb “that the Lord has vindicated him from the hand of his enemies.”

sn In this long song of thanks, David affirms that God is his faithful protector. He recalls in highly poetic fashion how God intervened in awesome power and delivered him from death. His experience demonstrates that God vindicates those who are blameless and remain loyal to him. True to his promises, God gives the king victory on the battlefield and enables him to subdue nations. A parallel version of the song appears in Ps 18.

tn Heb “spoke.”

tn Heb “in the day,” or “at the time.”

tn Heb “hand.”

tn Heb “and from the hand of Saul.”

tn Heb “and [the one who] brings me out from my enemies.”

tn Heb “you lift me up.” In light of the preceding and following references to deliverance, the verb רוּם (rum) probably here refers to being rescued from danger (see Ps 9:13). However, it could mean “exalt; elevate” here, indicating that the Lord has given him victory over his enemies and forced them to acknowledge the psalmist’s superiority.

tn Heb “from those who rise against me.”