Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 22

Verse 3

2 Samuel 22:3

Rock -- The metaphor for the place of refuge, the highest peak for defense, the acropolis of a city or fortification, etc. Such as the "Rock" of Petra, etc. The ultimate and unconquerable place of safety, etc.

Refuge -- Ultimate place of defense in the eyes of David.

Shield -- The ultimate protection against all assault.

Horn -- What is the metaphor of "horn" and "horn of my salvation", etc.

10 tn Heb "the horn of my salvation," or "my saving horn."

sn Though some see "horn" as referring to a horn-shaped peak of a hill, or to the "horns" of an altar where one could find refuge, it is more likely that the horn of an ox underlies the metaphor (see Deuteronomy 33:17; 1 Kings 22:11; Psalms 92:10). The horn of the wild ox is frequently a metaphor for military strength; the idiom "exalt the horn" signifies military victory (see 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalms 89:17; Psalms 89:24; Psalms 92:10; Lamentations 2:17). In the ancient Near East powerful warrior-kings would sometimes compare themselves to a goring bull that uses its horns to kill its enemies. For examples, see P. Miller, "El the Warrior," HTR 60 (1967): 422-25, and R. B. Chisholm, "An Exegetical and Theological Study of Psalm 18/2 Samuel 22" (Th.D. diss., Dallas Theological Seminary, 1983), 135-36. 2 Samuel 22:3 uses the metaphor of the horn in a slightly different manner. Here the Lord himself is compared to a horn. He is to the psalmist what the horn is to the ox, a source of defense and victory. NET notes