2 Samuel 22:46
Foreigners lose heart and come trembling from their strongholds.
Foreigners
The term "foreigners" in this context refers to those who are not part of the Israelite community, often seen as outsiders or enemies. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "נֵכָר" (nekhar), which denotes those who are alien or strange to the covenant people of God. Historically, Israel was surrounded by various nations that often opposed them, and this verse reflects the triumph of God's chosen people over these adversaries. Theologically, it underscores the idea that God's power and favor towards Israel would cause even the strongest of foreign nations to recognize His supremacy.

lose heart
The phrase "lose heart" is translated from the Hebrew "יָבֹלוּ" (yabolu), which conveys a sense of withering or fading away. This imagery suggests a loss of courage or morale, akin to a plant that withers under harsh conditions. In the biblical narrative, this reflects the demoralization of Israel's enemies in the face of God's mighty acts. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual truth that those who oppose God's will ultimately find their strength and resolve diminished.

and come trembling
The Hebrew word "חָרַד" (charad) is used here, meaning to tremble or quake with fear. This reaction is not merely physical but also emotional and spiritual, indicating a profound recognition of God's power and authority. In the ancient Near Eastern context, trembling was often associated with the presence of the divine or the realization of impending judgment. This phrase highlights the awe and fear that God's intervention can inspire in those who do not know Him.

from their strongholds
"Strongholds" refers to fortified places or secure positions, often used by enemies as a refuge or base of operations. The Hebrew word "מִבְצָר" (mivtsar) denotes a place of defense or protection. Historically, these strongholds were seen as impenetrable, yet the verse illustrates that even the most secure defenses are vulnerable to God's power. Spiritually, this can be interpreted as a metaphor for the false securities and idols that people rely on, which ultimately fail in the presence of the true God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of this song of praise, David is reflecting on God's deliverance and victories over his enemies. This chapter is a song of thanksgiving for God's protection and provision throughout his life.

2. Foreigners
These are the non-Israelite nations and peoples who opposed David and Israel. They represent the external threats and challenges that David faced during his reign.

3. Strongholds
These are fortified places or positions of power that the foreigners relied upon for security. In a spiritual sense, they can represent the strongholds of sin or opposition against God's people.

4. Trembling
This reaction of fear and submission indicates the overwhelming power of God working through David, causing even the most secure enemies to lose confidence.

5. Israel
The nation that David led, which experienced God's deliverance and victory over its enemies through David's leadership.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God's power is supreme over all nations and peoples. Just as He caused the foreigners to tremble before David, He remains sovereign over the affairs of the world today.

Spiritual Strongholds
Believers must recognize and confront spiritual strongholds in their lives. Through prayer and reliance on God's power, these strongholds can be overcome.

Fear of the Lord
The fear and trembling of the foreigners highlight the importance of having a reverent fear of God. This fear leads to wisdom and submission to His will.

God's Faithfulness in Deliverance
David's song is a testament to God's faithfulness in delivering His people. Believers can trust in God's promises and His ability to deliver them from their own "enemies."

Witness to God's Power
The reaction of the foreigners serves as a witness to God's power. Believers are called to live in such a way that others see God's power and glory through their lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's experience with the foreigners in 2 Samuel 22:46 encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty over your own challenges?

2. What are some "strongholds" in your life that you need to bring before God in prayer for His deliverance?

3. How can the fear of the Lord, as demonstrated by the trembling of the foreigners, influence your daily walk with God?

4. In what ways have you experienced God's faithfulness in delivering you from difficult situations, and how can you use these experiences to encourage others?

5. How can you be a witness to God's power in your community, similar to how David's victories demonstrated God's power to the nations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 18
This psalm is almost identical to 2 Samuel 22 and provides additional context to David's song of praise, emphasizing God's deliverance and strength.

Philippians 2:10-11
This passage speaks of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing Jesus as Lord, similar to the submission of the foreigners in David's song.

Ephesians 6:12
This verse discusses spiritual warfare, reminding believers that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces, akin to the strongholds mentioned in 2 Samuel 22:46.
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
Afraid, Close, Fade, Faded, Fastnesses, Fear, Foreigners, Forth, Fortresses, Gird, Halting, Heart, Lose, Lost, Places, Secret, Shaking, Sons, Stranger, Strangers, Strongholds, Themselves, Tremble, Trembling, Wasted
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 22:2-51

     8609   prayer, as praise and thanksgiving

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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