◄ 2 Samuel 22:32 ►
For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?
Study Bible
For who is God
This phrase begins with a rhetorical question that emphasizes the uniqueness and supremacy of God. In the Hebrew text, the word for "God" here is "Elohim," a plural form that denotes majesty and power. This term is used throughout the Old Testament to refer to the one true God, highlighting His sovereignty and authority over all creation. The rhetorical nature of the question invites reflection on the exclusivity of God’s divine nature, setting Him apart from any other so-called gods or idols that may have been worshiped in the ancient Near East.

besides the LORD?
The term "LORD" is translated from the Hebrew "YHWH" (Yahweh), the personal name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). This name signifies God’s eternal existence and His covenant relationship with Israel. The use of "besides" underscores the monotheistic belief central to Israelite faith, affirming that Yahweh alone is God, and there is no other. This exclusivity is a cornerstone of the Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:4, which declares, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one."

And who is the Rock
The metaphor of God as a "Rock" is rich with meaning. In Hebrew, the word "Tsur" conveys strength, stability, and reliability. Rocks were often seen as symbols of protection and refuge in the ancient world, providing shelter and safety. By referring to God as the "Rock," the text emphasizes His unchanging nature and His role as a protector and sustainer of His people. This imagery is consistent throughout the Psalms and other biblical texts, where God is frequently depicted as a fortress and a deliverer.

except our God?
The phrase "our God" personalizes the relationship between God and His people. It reflects the covenantal bond that God has with Israel, a relationship characterized by faithfulness and love. The possessive "our" indicates a communal identity and shared faith among the people of God. This part of the verse reaffirms the earlier assertion of God’s uniqueness and serves as a declaration of trust and allegiance to Him alone. It is a call to recognize and worship God as the sole source of strength and salvation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of this song of praise, David is the king of Israel who is expressing his gratitude and recognition of God's unique sovereignty and strength.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His unique identity and relationship with Israel.

3. The Rock
A metaphor for God, symbolizing His strength, stability, and reliability.
Teaching Points
God's Uniqueness
Recognize that there is no other being like God. He is unparalleled in power, wisdom, and love.

God as Our Foundation
Just as a rock provides stability, God is our unshakeable foundation. Trust in Him during times of uncertainty.

Exclusive Worship
Worship should be directed solely to God, acknowledging His unique position as the only true deity.

Reliance on God’s Strength
In moments of weakness, remember that God is our strength and refuge. Lean on Him for support and guidance.

Christ as the Fulfillment
Understand that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Rock imagery, providing salvation and eternal security.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God as "the Rock" influence your daily trust in Him?

2. In what ways can you ensure that your worship is directed solely to God, acknowledging His uniqueness?

3. How can you apply the concept of God being your foundation in your current life circumstances?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to rely more on God’s strength rather than your own?

5. How does the New Testament revelation of Christ as the Rock deepen your understanding of God’s nature and His work in your life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 32:4
This verse also refers to God as the Rock, highlighting His perfect work and justice, which aligns with David's depiction of God as the ultimate foundation.

Psalm 18:31
This psalm, which is almost identical to 2 Samuel 22, reiterates the same themes of God’s uniqueness and strength.

Isaiah 44:8
This passage emphasizes that there is no other God besides the LORD, reinforcing the exclusivity of God’s divinity.

1 Corinthians 10:4
Paul refers to Christ as the spiritual Rock, drawing a connection between the Old Testament imagery and the New Testament revelation of Jesus.
Sermons
Jehovah Owned and HonouredJ. Irons.2 Samuel 22:32
Jehovah the Only God, the Only RockG. Wood 2 Samuel 22:32
Abundant Cause for ThanksgivingChristian Endeavour Times2 Samuel 22:1-51
David's Song of PraiseB. Dale 2 Samuel 22:1-51
Psalm SingingA. Whyte, D. D.2 Samuel 22:1-51
The Song of ThanksgivingW. G. Blaikie, D. D.2 Samuel 22:1-51
People
David, Saul
Places
Gath
Topics
Besides, Except, Rock, Save
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 22:32

     1240   God, the Rock
     5953   stability

2 Samuel 22:2-51

     8609   prayer, as praise and thanksgiving

2 Samuel 22:31-32

     4354   rock
     5490   refuge

Library
David's Hymn of victory
'For Thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that, rose up against me hast Thou subdued under me. 41. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. 42. They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but He answered them not. 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. 44. Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, Thou hast …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Mosaic Cosmogony.
ON the revival of science in the 16th century, some of the earliest conclusions at which philosophers arrived were found to be at variance with popular and long-established belief. The Ptolemaic system of astronomy, which had then full possession of the minds of men, contemplated the whole visible universe from the earth as the immovable centre of things. Copernicus changed the point of view, and placing the beholder in the sun, at once reduced the earth to an inconspicuous globule, a merely subordinate …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

In the Present Crusade against the Bible and the Faith of Christian Men...
IN the present crusade against the Bible and the Faith of Christian men, the task of destroying confidence in the first chapter of Genesis has been undertaken by Mr. C. W. Goodwin, M.A. He requires us to "regard it as the speculation of some Hebrew Descartes or Newton, promulgated in all good faith as the best and most probable account that could be then given of God's Universe." (p. 252.) Mr. Goodwin remarks with scorn, that "we are asked to believe that a vision of Creation was presented to him …
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Ark among the Flags
'And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 4. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5. And the daughter of Pharaoh came …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone]. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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