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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 22:38 I pursued my enemies and destroyed them; I did not turn back until they were consumed.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/22-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/10_2Sa_22_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 22:38 - David's Song of Deliverance" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I pursued my enemies and destroyed them; I did not turn back until they were consumed." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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I did not turn back till they were destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“I chased my enemies and destroyed them; I did not stop until they were conquered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_samuel/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, and did not turn back until they were consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I pursued my enemies and destroyed them; I did not turn back until they were consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I pursued my enemies and eliminated them, And I did not turn back until they were finished off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, And I did not turn back until they were consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, And I did not turn back until they were consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, And I did not turn back until they were consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, And I did not turn back until they were consumed (eliminated).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I pursue my enemies and destroy them; I do not turn back until they are wiped out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I pursue my enemies and destroy them; I do not turn back until they are wiped out. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; Neither did I turn again till they were consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I kept chasing my enemies until I caught them and destroyed them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; neither did I turn again till they were consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I chased my enemies and destroyed them. I did not return until I had ended their lives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I pursue my enemies and defeat them; I do not stop until I destroy them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I pursued my enemies and conquered them; I didn't return until they were consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I pursued my enemies and destroyed them; I did not turn back until they were consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I chase my enemies and destroy them; I do not turn back until I wipe them out. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and I did not turn back until they were destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I have pursued my enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them. I didn’t turn again until they were consumed. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I pursue my enemies and destroy them, "" And I do not turn until they are consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I pursue mine enemies and destroy them, And I turn not till they are consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I will pursue mine enemies and destroy them I will not turn back even to finishing them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I will pursue after my enemies, and crush them: and will not return again till I consume them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />I will pursue my enemies, and crush them. And I will not turn back, until I consume them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till I destroyed them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, and did not turn back until they were consumed.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I will pursue my enemies and will overtake them, and will not turn back until I have consumed them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I shall chase my enemies and I shall overtake them and I shall not return until I will finish them<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; Neither did I turn back till they were consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I will pursue my enemies, and will utterly destroy them; and I will not turn again till I have consumed them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/22-38.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=6951" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/22.htm">David's Song of Deliverance</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">37</span>You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way. <span class="reftext">38</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: ’er·də·p̄āh (V-Qal-Imperf.Cohort-1cs) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">I pursued</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: ’ō·yə·ḇay (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 1cs) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">my enemies</a> <a href="/hebrew/8045.htm" title="8045: wā·’aš·mî·ḏêm (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-1cs:: 3mp) -- To be exterminated or destroyed. A primitive root; to desolate.">and destroyed them;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: ’ā·šūḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">turn back</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">until</a> <a href="/hebrew/3615.htm" title="3615: kal·lō·w·ṯām (V-Piel-Inf:: 3mp) -- To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent. A primitive root; to end, whether intransitive or transitived.">they were consumed.</a> </span><span class="reftext">39</span>I devoured and crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/18-37.htm">Psalm 18:37</a></span><br />I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until they were consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/10-19.htm">Joshua 10:19</a></span><br />But you, do not stop there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Do not let them reach their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-24.htm">Deuteronomy 7:24</a></span><br />He will hand their kings over to you, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand against you; you will annihilate them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-8.htm">1 Samuel 30:8</a></span><br />and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-11.htm">Isaiah 41:11-12</a></span><br />Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. / You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-27.htm">Exodus 23:27</a></span><br />I will send My terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn and run.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/4-16.htm">Judges 4:16</a></span><br />Then Barak pursued the chariots and army as far as Harosheth-hagoyim, and the whole army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a single man was left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm">1 Kings 20:20-21</a></span><br />and each one struck down his opponent. So the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with the cavalry. / Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the horses and chariots, inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/44-5.htm">Psalm 44:5</a></span><br />Through You we repel our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-3.htm">Isaiah 63:3-6</a></span><br />“I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. / For the day of vengeance was in My heart, and the year of My redemption had come. / I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled that no one assisted. So My arm brought Me salvation, and My own wrath upheld Me. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-19.htm">Jeremiah 1:19</a></span><br />They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-37.htm">Romans 8:37</a></span><br />No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-57.htm">1 Corinthians 15:57</a></span><br />But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-12.htm">Philippians 3:12-14</a></span><br />Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. / Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, / I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-33.htm">Hebrews 11:33-34</a></span><br />who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I have pursued my enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/5-18.htm">2 Samuel 5:18-25</a></b></br> The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/8-1.htm">2 Samuel 8:1,2,13,14</a></b></br> And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/10-14.htm">2 Samuel 10:14</a></b></br> And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/21-5.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-19.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-5.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-5.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-15.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-1.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-7.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-7.htm">Overtake</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-13.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-10.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-37.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-23.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-22.htm">Turning</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/22-39.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-39.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-41.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-41.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-41.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-41.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-9.htm">Overtake</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-13.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-41.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-41.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-30.htm">Turning</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/22-1.htm">David's psalm of thanksgiving for God's deliverance and blessings</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/22.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I pursued my enemies and destroyed them;</b><br>This phrase reflects the military campaigns of King David, who was often engaged in battles against surrounding nations such as the Philistines, Moabites, and Ammonites. The pursuit of enemies signifies a relentless and determined effort to defeat those who opposed Israel. This mirrors the divine mandate given to Israel to conquer the Promised Land and eliminate idolatrous influences. Theologically, it can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual warfare believers face, where they are called to pursue and overcome sin and evil through the power of God. The destruction of enemies also prefigures the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, as seen in passages like <a href="/1_corinthians/15-25.htm">1 Corinthians 15:25-26</a>, where Christ is said to reign until all His enemies are under His feet.<p><b>I did not turn back until they were consumed.</b><br>This phrase emphasizes David's perseverance and complete victory over his adversaries. It highlights the thoroughness of his campaigns, ensuring that the threat was entirely eliminated. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of total warfare, where victory was not just about winning battles but ensuring the enemy could not rise again. Spiritually, it can be seen as an encouragement for believers to persist in their faith and not retreat in the face of spiritual battles. The concept of not turning back is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to press on toward the goal (<a href="/philippians/3-14.htm">Philippians 3:14</a>) and to stand firm in the faith (<a href="/1_corinthians/16-13.htm">1 Corinthians 16:13</a>). This perseverance is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who did not turn back from His mission to redeem humanity, culminating in His declaration on the cross, "It is finished" (<a href="/john/19-30.htm">John 19:30</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of this song of praise, David is reflecting on his victories over his enemies, attributing his success to God's strength and support.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies.htm">Enemies</a></b><br>The adversaries of David, representing both physical foes and spiritual opposition, whom David pursued and defeated with God's help.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/song_of_deliverance.htm">Song of Deliverance</a></b><br>This chapter is a song of thanksgiving and praise, where David recounts God's deliverance and faithfulness throughout his life.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation over which David ruled as king, often facing threats from surrounding nations and internal strife.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_deliverance.htm">God's Deliverance</a></b><br>The overarching theme of this chapter, highlighting God's role in granting victory and protection to David and Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_empowerment_in_battle.htm">God's Empowerment in Battle</a></b><br>Just as David was empowered by God to defeat his enemies, believers today are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome spiritual battles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_faith.htm">Perseverance in Faith</a></b><br>David's refusal to turn back until his enemies were consumed teaches us the importance of perseverance in our spiritual journey.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_deliverance.htm">Trust in God's Deliverance</a></b><br>David's victories remind us to trust in God's deliverance and faithfulness, even when facing overwhelming challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The physical battles David fought symbolize the spiritual warfare believers face, calling us to be vigilant and reliant on God's strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/victory_through_obedience.htm">Victory Through Obedience</a></b><br>David's success was rooted in his obedience to God, illustrating the importance of aligning our actions with God's will for true victory.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/literal_vs._metaphorical_in_2_samuel_22.htm">(2 Samuel 22) How can we tell which elements of this praise song are meant literally versus those intended as metaphorical or hyperbolic language?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_2_samuel_22_and_psalm_18_differ.htm">(2 Samuel 22 compared with Psalm 18) Why do these passages have slight variations if both are supposed to be inspired or accurate accounts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_an_earthquake_in_david's_reign.htm">(2 Samuel 22:8) Is there any historical or archaeological evidence of an actual earthquake during David's reign, or is this purely poetic imagery?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_david's_temple_ban_reason_given.htm">Why does God forbid David from building the temple in 1 Chronicles 22:8 but never give that explicit reason in the parallel accounts (e.g., 2 Samuel 7)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(38) <span class= "bld">Destroyed them.</span>--In the psalm, "overtaken them," an expression intended to suggest the same thing as the plain expression here. The second clauses are identical in the original.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 38-40.</span> - <p><span class="accented">"I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them;<br />Neither did I turn again until I had consumed them.<br />And I have consumed them, and smitten them through, and they arose not;<br />Yea, they fell under my feet.<br />For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle;<br />Thou hast made them that rose against me to bow under me."</span> In the Psalms, for <span class="cmt_word">destroyed</span> we find "overtaken," and the second "I have consumed them" is omitted. This exultation of David at the result of his wars is in accordance with the harsh treatment inflicted by him upon the vanquished. His enemies were God's enemies, whom he must consume. The "new commandment" of Christianity forbids and condemns this delight in conquest. Vers. 41-43. - <p><span class="accented">"And mine enemies thou hast made to turn upon me their back,<br />Even those that hate me; and have utterly destroyed them.<br />They looked, but there was none to save,<br />Even to Jehovah, but he answered them not.<br />And I beat them small as the dust of the earth;<br />As the mire of the streets I stamped upon them, I trode them down."</span> <span class="cmt_word">Those that hate me.</span> The sentence is to be completed from the previous clause, "my haters" and "my enemies" being equivalent. There are several small variations between the text here and in <a href="/psalms/18.htm">Psalm 18</a>, such as "they cried" for they looked; and "I emptied them out" for I stamped upon them, the difference in both cases consisting in a single letter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/22-38.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I pursued</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶרְדְּפָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(’er·də·p̄āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my enemies</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹיְבַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·yə·ḇay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hating, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and destroyed them;</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאַשְׁמִידֵ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’aš·mî·ḏêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8045.htm">Strong's 8045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be exterminated or destroyed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I did not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">turn back</span><br /><span class="heb">אָשׁ֖וּב</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·šūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">until</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they were consumed.</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּלּוֹתָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(kal·lō·w·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3615.htm">Strong's 3615: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/22-38.htm">2 Samuel 22:38 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/22-38.htm">2 Samuel 22:38 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/22-38.htm">2 Samuel 22:38 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/22-38.htm">2 Samuel 22:38 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/22-38.htm">2 Samuel 22:38 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/22-38.htm">2 Samuel 22:38 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/22-38.htm">2 Samuel 22:38 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/22-38.htm">2 Samuel 22:38 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/22-38.htm">2 Samuel 22:38 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/22-38.htm">2 Samuel 22:38 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/22-38.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 22:38 I have pursued my enemies and destroyed (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/22-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 22:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 22:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/22-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 22:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 22:39" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>