2 Samuel 22:20
He brought me out into the open; He rescued me because He delighted in me.
He brought me out into the open
The phrase "He brought me out" is derived from the Hebrew word "יֵצֵא" (yatsa), which means to go out, come out, or bring out. This word is often used in the context of deliverance or liberation. In the historical context of David's life, this reflects God's intervention in delivering David from his enemies and personal trials. The "open" or "broad place" signifies a place of safety and freedom, contrasting with the confinement and danger of his previous circumstances. Spiritually, this can be seen as God bringing believers out of the bondage of sin into the freedom of His grace.

He rescued me
The Hebrew root for "rescued" is "חָלַץ" (chalats), which means to draw out, deliver, or equip for battle. This term is often used in the context of God saving His people from peril. In David's life, this rescue was both physical and spiritual, as God delivered him from his enemies and established him as king. For Christians, this rescue is a powerful reminder of the salvation offered through Jesus Christ, who delivers us from the ultimate enemy—sin and death.

because He delighted in me
The word "delighted" comes from the Hebrew "חָפֵץ" (chaphets), which means to take pleasure in or to desire. This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship between God and David. It is not merely about God's duty to save but His genuine pleasure and love for David. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship God had with David, a man after His own heart. For believers today, it is a profound reminder of God's love and grace, underscoring that His actions towards us are motivated by His delight in us as His children. This delight is not based on our merit but on His sovereign love and grace.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of this song of praise, David is reflecting on God's deliverance and faithfulness throughout his life, particularly from his enemies and King Saul.

2. God
The central figure in this verse, God is portrayed as the deliverer and the one who delights in David, showcasing His personal relationship with those who trust in Him.

3. The Open Place
Symbolic of freedom and safety, this represents the contrast to the confinement and danger David faced from his enemies.

4. Rescue
This event signifies God's intervention in David's life, saving him from peril and establishing him in a place of security.

5. Delight
This term highlights the personal affection and favor God has for David, which is the basis for His rescue.
Teaching Points
God's Deliverance
God is our ultimate deliverer, bringing us out of spiritual and physical dangers into a place of safety and freedom.

Divine Delight
Understanding that God delights in us can transform our relationship with Him, encouraging us to live in a way that pleases Him.

Personal Relationship with God
Like David, we are invited to cultivate a personal and intimate relationship with God, trusting in His love and faithfulness.

Faith in Adversity
In times of trouble, we can have faith that God sees us, delights in us, and will bring us into a place of peace and security.

Living in Freedom
Embrace the freedom that comes from God's deliverance, living boldly and confidently in His love and purpose for our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's delight in us change the way we view our relationship with Him?

2. In what ways can we experience God's "open place" in our own lives today?

3. How can we apply the concept of divine rescue in our daily struggles and challenges?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to cultivate a deeper personal relationship with God, as David did?

5. How do other scriptures that speak of God's delight and deliverance enhance our understanding of 2 Samuel 22:20?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 18
This psalm is almost identical to 2 Samuel 22 and provides additional context and insight into David's praise for God's deliverance.

Psalm 37:23-24
These verses speak of the Lord delighting in the way of a righteous person, similar to how God delighted in David.

Isaiah 61:10
This verse reflects the joy and delight of being clothed in salvation, akin to the delight God has in His people.

Zephaniah 3:17
This verse describes God rejoicing over His people with gladness, paralleling the delight mentioned in 2 Samuel 22:20.
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
Rescue from Mighty FoesG. Wood 2 Samuel 22:17-20
People
David, Saul
Places
Gath
Topics
Bringeth, Broad, Delight, Delighted, Delivered, Draweth, Forth, Large, Rescued, Saviour, Wide
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 22:20

     5830   delight

2 Samuel 22:2-51

     8609   prayer, as praise and thanksgiving

2 Samuel 22:17-20

     6738   rescue

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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