2 Samuel 22:38 (WEB)

Passage

I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them. I didn’t turn again until they were consumed.

Nearby Context

2 Samuel 22:36 You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your gentleness has made me great.

2 Samuel 22:37 You have enlarged my steps under me. My feet have not slipped.

2 Samuel 22:38 I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them. I didn’t turn again until they were consumed.

2 Samuel 22:39 I have consumed them, and struck them through, so that they can’t arise. Yes, they have fallen under my feet.

2 Samuel 22:40 For you have armed me with strength for the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "pursued", "enemies", "destroyed", "didn", "turn", "again", "until", and "consumed". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "pursued" and "enemies", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 37's "You have enlarged my steps under me..." into verse 39's "I have consumed them and struck them...", so "pursued" and "enemies" belong inside that flow. In 2 Samuel context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "pursued" and "enemies" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.