Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 22:44
Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me [to be] head of the heathen: a people [which] I knew not shall serve me.
44 46. The establishment of David’s dominion
44. from the strivings of my people ] The reference seems to be to the civil wars and internal dissensions which had disturbed the early years of David’s reign, while Saul’s house still endeavoured to maintain its position. Through all these conflicts he had been safely brought, and preserved to exercise dominion over the heathen nations round. Cp. ch. 2Sa 8:1-14; Psa 2:8.
shall serve me ] Served me. There is no reason for the sudden transition of the E. V. to the future here and in 2Sa 22:45-46. David is still recounting his past victories, with special reference in all probability to the subjugation of the Syrians, whom he might well describe as “a people he knew not.” Cp. ch. 2Sa 8:6, 2Sa 10:19.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people,
thou hast kept me [to be] head of the heathen: a people [which] I knew not shall serve me. [See comments on Ps 18:43].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
44 And Thou rescuest me out of the strivings of my people,
Preservest me to be the head of the heathen.
People that I knew not serve me.
45 The sons of the stranger dissemble to me,
Upon hearsay they obey me.
46 The sons of the stranger despair,
And tremble out of their castles.
By “ the strivings of my people ” the more indefinite expression in the psalm, “strivings of the people,” is explained. The words refer to the domestic conflicts of David, out of which the Lord delivered him, such as the opposition of Ishbosheth and the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba. These deliverances formed the prelude and basis of his dominion over the heathen. Consequently ( Thou preservest me to be the head of the nations) occurs quite appropriately in the second clause; and , “Thou settest me,” which occurs in the psalm, is a far less pregnant expression. before is used indefinitely to signify foreign nations. Toi king of Hamath (2Sa 8:10) was an example, and his subjugation was a prelude of the future subjection of all the heathen to the sceptre of the Son of David, as predicted in Ps 72. In v. 45 the two clauses of the psalm are very appropriately transposed. The Hithpael , as compared with , is the later form. In the primary passage (Deu 33:29) the Niphal is used to signify the dissembling of friendship, or of involuntary homage on the part of the vanquished towards the victor. , “ by the hearing of the ear,” i.e., by hearsay, is a simple explanation of , at the rumour of the ears (vid., Job 42:5), i.e., at the mere rumour of David’s victories. The foreign nations pine away, i.e., despair of ever being able to resist the victorious power of David. , “ they gird themselves,” does not yield any appropriate meaning, even if we should take it in the sense of equipping themselves to go out to battle. The word is probably a misspelling of , which occurs in the psalm, being a . . in the sense of being terrified, or trembling: they tremble out of their castles, i.e., they come trembling out of their castles (for the thought itself, see Mic 7:17). It is by no means probable that the word , which is so frequently met with in Hebrew, is used in this one passage in the sense of “ to limp,” according to Syriac usage.
In conclusion, the Psalmist returns to the praise of the Lord, who had so highly favoured him.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
44. Feuds of my people Such as the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba.
Head of the nations David was the mightiest conqueror and king of his age.
People I do not know Of whom Toi, king of Hamath, and his people were an example. 2Sa 8:10.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
strivings = contentions.
heathen = Gentile nations.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
delivered: 2Sa 3:1, 2Sa 5:1, 2Sa 18:6-8, 2Sa 19:9, 2Sa 19:14, 2Sa 20:1, 2Sa 20:2, 2Sa 20:22, Psa 2:1-6, Psa 18:43, Act 4:25-28, Act 5:30, Act 5:31
head: 2Sa 8:1-14, Deu 28:13, Psa 2:8, Psa 60:8, Psa 60:9, Psa 72:8, Psa 72:9, Psa 110:6, Isa 60:12, Dan 7:14, Rom 15:12, Rev 11:15
a people: Isa 55:5, Isa 65:1, Hos 2:23, Rom 9:25
Reciprocal: Psa 9:5 – rebuked Psa 18:44 – shall submit
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
22:44 Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my {s} people, thou hast kept me [to be] head of the heathen: a people [which] I knew not shall serve me.
(s) Meaning, of the Jews, who conspired against me.