2 Samuel Chapter 22
22:1. The linguistic features of the psalm attest to its antiquity. It is almost identical to Psalm 18, which has been
specifically edited for use in the Israelite liturgy. This psalm is included here as a matter of historical record, much
as Moses' song of deliverance in Exodus 15.
22:2, 3. For the LORD as a rock and a horn of ... salvation, see the notes at 1 Samuel 2:1, 2 and cf. v. 32.
22:8. See the note at Judges 5:4, 5. Verses 8-16 may be drawn from a group of songs commemorating the Lord's
triumphal march from Mount Sinai to the Jordan River at the time of the conquest (cf. Deut. 33:1, 2; Judg. 5:4, 5;
Ps. 18:7-10; 68:7. 8; 77:16-18; 144:5, 6; Hab. 3:2-15.
22:29. For the LORD as a lamp, see Psalm 27:1.
22:51. This is reaffirmation of the covenant with David. See the note on 7:12-16.
2 Samuel Chapter 23
23:2. David attests the divine inspiration of his psalm. Verses 2-7 contain a lovely testimony in song of David's
abiding trust in God and the unconditional covenant of God with the house of David.
23:3. For Rock, see the note on 1 Samuel 2:2.
23:5. The opening line may also be translated "Is not my house so with God?"
23:6. For the sons of Belial, see the note on Judges 19:22.
23:8. For a parallel listing of David's mighty men, see the 1 Chronicles 11:11-47. Apparently three groups of might
men made up the roster of David's special forces, who also served as a body of special assistants. The first three
and their heroic deeds are recorded in verses 8-17. Verses 18-23 detail two other notable men: Abishai, who
though not one of the "big three" became, because of his mighty exploits, their commander, and Benaiah, whose
brave deeds earned for him the post of chief of the bodyguards. Verses 24-39 list the names of the "thirty."
Although 32 names are listed, either 30 served at any one time or 30 was an original number to which two others
subsequently were added without changing the official designation of the group. According to 1 Chronicles 27:1-
15, the first five men together with seven others served as commanders of 12 army companies that were on duty
on a monthly rotation. The words that sat in the seat should be read as a man's name: Josheb-basshebeth,
rendered Jashobeam in 1 Chronicles 27:2. Other members of the "big three" included Eleazar (v. 9) and
Shammah (v. 11). According to 1 Chronicles 11:11, Jashobeam slew only three hundred of the enemy at one time;
the figure here is probably the correct one. See the note on 1 Chronicles 11:11.
2 Samuel Chapter 24
24:1. Taking a census was not a wrong thing to do per se. God Himself had previously ordered Moses to make
two censuses (cf. Num. 1:2, 3; 26:2). However, in this case Satan (cf. 1 Chr. 21:1) seized upon the growing pride
of David's heart (vv. 2, 3) to incite him into taking a census, so the king might have a ground of boasting (cf. Dan.
4:30). God, the controller of all things, allowed the deed to be done so as to bring David to a place of humility and
reality (v. 10). God and Satan are often involved in the same event, but for different causes (cf. Job)- God so that
the believer might be instructed and grow, but Satan, to discredit the believer and therefore, God Himself.
24:9. First Chronicles 21:5 lists the census figure in Israel at 1,100,000, possibly a round number arrived at by
adding the total of "regular army" commanders and the companies to the 800,000 of the general census.
Likewise, the 500,000 men in Judah appears to be different in 1 Chronicles 21:5, which lists only 470,000.
However, since 1 Chronicles 21:6 indicates that the census was incomplete because it did not include the tribes of
Levi or Benjamin, the figure in 1 Samuel is probably the accurate one. The supposed contradictions are thus
merely apparent, different counting procedures being considered by the two authors.
24:13. The seven years here is probably a miscopy of three years, as read by the Septuagint and 1 Chronicles 21:
12.
24:16. For the repentance of God, see the note on 1 Samuel 15:11.
24:17. God's chastening had achieved its desired effect. David recognizes that as the king of Israel his primary
task was that of a shepherd with his sheep. He manfully and humbly repents of his sin and pleads for his beloved
people. Despite his oft-besetting sins, David had a tender heart toward God and God's people. Accordingly, David
is commended as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22; cf. 1 Sam. 13:14; 1 Kin. 3:14; 9:4; 11:4, 6, 33; 14:8;
15:3).
24:24. The apparent discrepancy between the fifty shekels paid to Araunah mentioned here and the six hundred
recorded by the author of Chronicles (1 Chr. 21:25), probably has to do with the differences in the amount of land
purchased as indicated in the two accounts. Samuel speaks of the threshing floor as a site for the housing of the
ark. Chronicles mentions the whole territory including the threshing floor, hence the price is much larger. The
bigger area will be the location of Solomon's temple (cf. 1 Kin. 6:1, 2; 2 Chr. 3:1-4). Since the account in
Chronicles is introductory to David's preparations for the building of the temple, it served the purposes of the
author of Chronicles to mention the purchase of the whole site. The account in 1 Samuel, however, is more limited
in scope, being concerned with the offerings necessary to stay the plague (vv. 21, 25). Abraham went to the "land
of Moriah" when he offered his son Isaac (Gen. 22:2). The author of Chronicles (2 Chr. 3:1) associates Mount
Moriah with the threshing floor of Araunah (Ornan, 1 Chr. 21:18).
1 Samuel Page 3