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2 Samuel 22:8-10
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth…

Isaiah 27:4
Furyis not in me: who would set the briersand thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.

Matthew 3:10-12
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire…

The fire burns them to ashes in the place where they lie.
This phrase emphasizes the ultimate destruction and judgment of the wicked. Fire is a common biblical symbol for judgment and purification, seen in passages such asMalachi 4:1, where the day of the Lord is described as burning like a furnace. The imagery of burning to ashes indicates total consumption and eradication, leaving nothing behind. This reflects the finality of divine judgment, where the wicked are completely removed. The reference to "the place where they lie" suggests that the wicked will face judgment in their own domain, unable to escape the consequences of their actions. This can be connected to the eschatological themes found inRevelation 20:15, where those not found in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire. The imagery also foreshadows the ultimate victory of righteousness over evil, a theme central to the biblical narrative.

“The man who touches them…” (2 Samuel 23:7)

• David has just called the wicked “thorns” (v. 6). Thorns hurt anyone who tries to handle them casually, so David warns that even approaching such people is dangerous.

• God’s people may be required to confront evil (Psalm 101:8;Romans 13:3-4), yet we do so aware of the harm sin can inflict.

• The phrase reminds us to exercise discernment—friendship with the unrepentant hard-hearted exposes us to spiritual wounds (Proverbs 13:20;1 Corinthians 15:33).

“…must be armed with iron…”

• Iron is a sturdy, unyielding metal. It pictures strength that cannot be bent by the thorn’s barbs.

• Practically, the righteous confront evil only with God-given, uncompromising fortitude—His “iron” (Ephesians 6:13-17;Psalm 18:34).

• The Lord’s standards are not flexible tools; they are solid weapons, ensuring that sin’s prick cannot penetrate the believer who stands firm (2 Timothy 2:3-4).

“…or with the shaft of a spear.”

• A spear’s shaft creates distance. David illustrates that engagement with wickedness must maintain clear separation (2 Corinthians 6:17; Jude 23).

• The picture echoes Israel’s warriors who kept opponents at arm’s length (1 Samuel 17:7). Likewise, believers wield the “sword of the Spirit” while avoiding intimate entanglement with evil practices (Ephesians 6:17;1 Peter 1:14-16).

“…The fire burns them to ashes…”

• Thorns were routinely piled and burned (Isaiah 33:12). David says the ultimate end of the wicked is sure judgment by divine fire (Malachi 4:1;Matthew 13:40-42).

• Scripture consistently links fire with God’s consuming justice (Hebrews 12:29;Revelation 20:14-15).

• The language is literal regarding thorns and prophetic regarding the destiny of unrepentant sinners—total, irreversible ruin (Hebrews 6:8;John 15:6).

“…in the place where they lie.”

• Thorns are burned right where they grow; they are not worth relocating. Similarly, the wicked receive judgment precisely where their rebellion is practiced (Genesis 19:24-25;Revelation 18:8).

• There is no escape hatch or neutral ground. God’s righteousness reaches every heart and every location (Psalm 139:7-12;Amos 9:2-4).

• For the believer, this reinforces the urgency of repentance and of proclaiming salvation while there is time (2 Corinthians 6:2;Hebrews 3:13).

David’s closing words contrast God’s enduring covenant with the certain, fiery end of the wicked. The thorns depict those who reject the Lord: dangerous to touch, requiring uncompromising strength and distance, destined for consuming judgment where they stand. Believers confront evil only with the ironclad armor of God and the Spirit-wrought spear of His Word, confident that the Judge of all the earth will do right and ultimately burn away every thorn that defies His rule.

The Chaldee Targum upon these verses is very interesting, as giving the ancient Jewish interpretation of the prophecy. It is a much enlarged paraphrase, but gives a Messianic application to the whole. The following is a close translation of2Samuel 23:1-3 : "(1) These are the words of the prophecy of David, which he prophesied concerning the end of the age, concerning the days of consolation which are to come. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was exalted to the kingdom said, the anointed by the word of the God of Jacob, and appointed that he might preside over the sweetness of the praises of Israel. (2) David said, In the spirit of prophecy of the Lord I speak these things, and the words of His holiness do I order in my mouth. (3) David said, The God of Israel spake concerning me, the Strong One of Israel who ruleth over the sons of men, the true Judge, said that He would appoint for me a king; He is the Messiah, who shall arise and rule in the fear of the Lord."

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