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David's psalm of thanksgiving for his deliverance from all his enemies
(II Sam. 22:).--We have here a prophetic foreshadowing of the day when "all enemies"
shall be under the feet of Christ, and the glorious goal shall be achieved. The Psalm,
which occupies the whole of II Sam. 22:, was afterwards revised and put into the Book
of the Psalms as number 18:
"In this magnificent hymn the Royal Poet sketches in a few grand outlines the tale of
his life--the record of his marvelous deliverances and of the victories which Jehovah had
given him--the record, too, of his own heart, the truth of its affection towards God, and
the integrity of purpose by which it had ever been influenced. Throughout that singularly
chequered life, hunted as he had been by Saul before he came to the throne, and harassed
perpetually after he became king by rivals who disputed his authority and endeavoured to
steal away the hearts of his people--compelled to fly for his life before his own son, and
engaged afterwards in long and fierce wars with foreign nations--one thing had never
forsaken him, the love and presence of Jehovah. By His help he had subdued every
enemy, and now, in his old age, looking back with devout thankfulness on the past, he
sings that great song of praise to the God of his life" (Perowne).
Following this great song of praise are "the last words of David"--which are in
structural correspondence with the promise of chapter 7:, and refer to David's "house".
David's last words. The Kingdom foreseen (II Sam. 23: 1-7).--David's "last words"
must be read together with Psalm 72:, where it is said that the prayers of David, the
son of Jesse, are "ended" (Psa. 72: 20). Both are prophetic utterances concerning the
glorious reign of David's Greater Son. In II Sam. 23: we read: "He that ruleth over
men must be just" (II Sam. 23: 3), while in Psa. 72: we read: "He shall judge the
people with righteousness" (Psa. 72: 2). This righteous rule is followed by newness of
life:
"As the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain"
(II Sam. 23: 4).
"He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass; as showers that water the earth"
(Psa. 72: 6).
Verse 5 of II Sam. 23: needs some slight revision. Rotherham's Version perhaps
expresses David's intention more closely than any other that we have examined, as
follows:
"When not so was my house with God,
Then a covenant age-abiding He appointed me,
Ordered in all things and guarded,
Now that is all my salvation and all my desire
Will He not make it shoot forth?"
The "last words" of David refer to Christ, and in the words: "Will He not make it
shoot forth?" (or grow) we have in verbal form the prophetic title of Christ as "The
Branch" (Tsemach).
"I will raise unto Davie a righteous branch" (Jer. 23: 5).