2 Samuel 22 40

2 Samuel 22:40 kjv

For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.

2 Samuel 22:40 nkjv

For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose against me.

2 Samuel 22:40 niv

You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me.

2 Samuel 22:40 esv

For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.

2 Samuel 22:40 nlt

You have armed me with strength for the battle;
you have subdued my enemies under my feet.

2 Samuel 22 verses

2 Samuel 22 40 Meaning

This verse proclaims God as the ultimate source of strength and the giver of victory. It expresses David's profound gratitude and dependence on the Lord, who supernaturally equipped him for battles and sovereignly caused his adversaries to be subdued and utterly defeated beneath him. It is a testament to God's faithfulness and power in overcoming every enemy that rose against His anointed.

2 Samuel 22 40 Context

2 Samuel chapter 22 is a profound psalm of deliverance, nearly identical to Psalm 18. It is a triumphant song of thanksgiving composed by David to the Lord after God had delivered him from all his enemies, including the formidable King Saul. This song encapsulates David's entire life of reliance on God amidst continuous conflict and adversity, from his anointing to his establishment as king. The verse sits within a larger narrative where David extols God as his Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, and Strength, portraying Him as an active participant in warfare on behalf of His servant. Historically, it reflects the consolidation of David's kingdom, after numerous victories against the Philistines, Aramaeans, Ammonites, and other foes, affirming that these successes were not due to David's might but to God's empowering presence.

2 Samuel 22 40 Word analysis

• For you equipped me: Hebrew: ki 'attah ḥāgartani (כִּי־אַתָּה חֲגַרְתַּנִי).
  • you equipped me: ḥāgartani (חָגַרְתַּנִי) from the verb ḥāgar (חָגַר), meaning "to gird," "to clothe," "to array." In a military context, it refers to putting on one's sword or battle array, thus equipping for battle. The personal suffix 'ni' indicates 'me'. The pronoun 'attah (אַתָּה), "You" (God), is emphatic, underscoring that God is the sole agent of this equipping.
  • Significance: This emphasizes divine initiative. David's preparedness and ability for conflict do not stem from his own effort or strength, but are a direct, active provision from God. It's a divinely ordained empowerment for a specific task.
• with strength: Hebrew: koaḥ (כֹּחַ).
  • koaḥ denotes physical, moral, intellectual, or military might and power.
  • Significance: The strength imparted is substantial and sufficient for the task at hand. It highlights that true strength for spiritual or physical battle originates solely from the Almighty.
• for the battle: Hebrew: lam-milḥamah (לַמִּלְחָמָה).
  • milḥāmāh refers to a conflict, fight, or war. The prefix 'la' means "for" or "to."
  • Significance: The divine equipping is not for idle contemplation but for specific, challenging engagements. God's provision is practical and perfectly suited for the adversity David faced.
• you made those who rose against me: Hebrew: wa-takrîa' qāmay (וַתַּכְרִיעַ קָמַי).
  • you made...sink/bow: wa-takrîa' (וַתַּכְרִיעַ) from the verb kāra' (כָּרַע), meaning "to bow down," "to kneel," "to cause to collapse," "to humble," or "to subdue." The "wa" prefix introduces the consecutive action.
  • those who rose against me: qāmay (קָמַי) from qum (קוּם), "to rise" or "to stand up," here in participle form meaning "those who rise." The suffix 'ay' is "my." This refers to David's adversaries, those who actively rebelled or attacked him.
  • Significance: God is actively causing the downfall of the enemies. It highlights God's power over human aggression and opposition. The imagery suggests a forced submission or complete overthrow.
• sink under me: Hebrew: taḥtay (תַּחְתָּי).
  • taḥtay literally means "under me" or "beneath me."
  • Significance: This signifies complete and utter defeat, subjugation, and victory. The enemies are not merely repelled but are utterly subdued and put in a position of inferiority or prostration beneath David, indicating divine triumph.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For you equipped me with strength for the battle": This phrase underscores God's proactive role in preparing David. It speaks of divine enablement, where God Himself acts as the celestial armorer, imparting not just skills but inherent strength for the specific challenges of warfare. This concept moves beyond mere assistance to fundamental empowerment.
• "you made those who rose against me sink under me": This powerfully illustrates the execution of divine judgment against enemies. It’s God's direct intervention that leads to the adversaries' complete subjugation. The phrase paints a picture of ultimate victory, where all opposition is thoroughly crushed, not by human might but by the irresistible force of God. The repeated "you" in the verse emphatically attributes all victory and empowerment to the Lord.

2 Samuel 22 40 Bonus section

• This verse is virtually identical to Psalm 18:39, showcasing a consistent theological theme within David's writings that emphasizes divine strength and victory.
• The concept of God "girding" someone for battle is a rich metaphor. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, girding one's loins with a belt prepared one for strenuous physical activity, including combat. When God "girds" David, it means He makes him ready and agile, preparing his whole being for the fight.
• The "sinking under me" metaphor implies total dominance. It evokes the image of treading on one's enemies, a common symbol of triumph in ancient cultures. Here, God ensures that David stands supreme over his vanquished foes.
• The verse profoundly contrasts human weakness with divine power. David does not claim self-sufficiency; instead, he offers a testimony of absolute dependence on the Lord for every success and every deliverance throughout his life.
• From a Christological perspective, this verse prefigures the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ. As God equipped David for his battles, He fully equipped Christ for His redemptive work on the cross, leading to the defeat of sin, death, and the devil—the ultimate "enemies" who rose against humanity and God's plan. Through Christ, believers also receive strength to overcome their spiritual adversaries and stand triumphant.

2 Samuel 22 40 Commentary

2 Samuel 22:40 reveals a cornerstone of biblical theology: the omnipotence and active involvement of God in the lives of His servants, especially amidst conflict. David confesses that his capacity for battle was not inherent but divinely imparted. God literally "girded" him, endowing him with supernatural strength. Consequently, every adversary who rose in defiance against David, the anointed of the Lord, was sovereignly caused to "sink" and be utterly subdued. This verse emphasizes God as the ultimate Victor, highlighting that reliance on divine power, rather than human strength, is the key to overcoming all forms of opposition, whether physical or spiritual. It serves as an assurance that God not only equips but also actively ensures the triumph of His people.