What does 2 Samuel 22:36 mean?
"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great." - 2 Samuel 22:36

The Bible verse 2 Samuel 22:36 in the King James Version (KJV) reads, "Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great." This verse is part of a larger passage often referred to as David's Song of Deliverance. Here, King David is expressing his gratitude and praise to God for delivering him from his enemies and providing him with strength and protection.
The verse begins with the acknowledgment of God's provision of a shield of salvation. A shield is a form of defensive armor used in battle to protect oneself from the attacks of enemies. In this context, the "shield of thy salvation" represents God's protection and deliverance from harm. The use of the term "salvation" implies a broader sense of rescue and deliverance not just in battle, but in life as a whole. This verse reflects the idea that God is the ultimate source of protection and deliverance for his people.
The second part of the verse speaks to the "gentleness" of God, which has made David great. The term "gentleness" here can also be translated as "humility" or "condescension." This signifies that it is not through David's own strength or might that he has achieved greatness, but through the gentleness and grace that God has shown him. This is a reminder that true greatness comes from God and is a result of His favor and blessing.
This verse carries several important themes that are found throughout the Bible. One of the central themes is the idea of God's protection and deliverance. Throughout the Bible, there are many instances where God delivers His people from their enemies and provides them with strength and protection. This verse serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in protecting His people.
Another important theme in this verse is humility. David attributes his greatness not to his own abilities or accomplishments, but to the gentleness of God. This theme is echoed in other parts of the Bible, such as when Jesus teaches that "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). The idea of humility before God is a recurring theme in the Bible, and this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing God's role in our lives.
The context of this verse is also significant. It is part of David's Song of Deliverance, which he composed after God had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. This song is a celebration of God's faithfulness and deliverance, and it serves as a powerful testimony to God's protection and provision for His people.
Symbolically, the shield of salvation represents God's faithfulness and protection, while the gentleness that has made David great represents the idea of God's grace and favor. These symbols serve as powerful reminders of God's character and His relationship with His people.
In conclusion, 2 Samuel 22:36 in the King James Version of the Bible is a verse that speaks to the themes of God's protection, humility, and deliverance. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and grace, and it encourages us to acknowledge God's role in our lives and to approach Him with humility. This verse is a testament to the greatness of God and serves as a source of encouragement and hope for all who trust in Him.
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2 Samuel 22:36 - "Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great."
"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great." - 2 Samuel 22:36
2 Chronicles 36:22
2 Samuel 23:36 - "Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,"
2 Samuel 3:36 - "And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people."
2 Samuel 24:22
2 Samuel 24:22
2 Samuel 24:22
2 Samuel 22:22 - "For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God."
2 Samuel 19:36 - "Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?"
2 Samuel 22:17-20
2 Samuel 6:14–22
2 Samuel 22:2 - "And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;"
"Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite," - 2 Samuel 23:36
2 Samuel 22:19 - "They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay."
2 Samuel 22:48 - "It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,"
2 Samuel 22:13 - "Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled."
2 Samuel 22:46 - "Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places."
2 Samuel 22:42 - "They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not."
2 Samuel 22:33 - "God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect."
2 Samuel 22:6 - "The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;"
2 Samuel 22:15 - "And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them."
2 Samuel 5:22 - "¶ And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim."
2 Samuel 22:32 - "For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?"
2 Samuel 22:14 - "The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice."
2 Samuel 22:47 - "The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation."
2 Samuel 22:10 - "He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet."
2 Samuel 22:29 - "For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness."
2 Samuel 22:8 - "Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth."
Proverbs 8:22-36