Bible Strands
2 Samuel 22:42
They looked, but there was no one to save them—to the LORD, but He did not answer.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David speaks this song to the Lord, concluding a poetic account of God’s military rescue. The moment captures the final reversal of his enemies’ fortunes after God made them retreat.
The words — The Hebrew יִשְׁעוּ (yish‘û) translates literally as “they looked,” paired with אֶל־יְהוָה (’el-Yahweh, “to Yahweh”) to mark the direction of their gaze. The text records that they sought a deliverer and turned to God, but explicitly states He did not answer.
The thread — This motif of withheld divine response runs through Isaiah 1:15, 1 Samuel 28:6, and Proverbs 1:28, where God refuses to answer those who approach Him without covenant alignment.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to acknowledge that seeking God does not compel His intervention. It demands sober recognition that divine silence is a sovereign reality, not a failure of divine presence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but he answered them not.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 1:15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
- 1 Samuel 28:6 He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.
- Proverbs 1:28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.
- Micah 3:4 Then they will cry out to the LORD, but He will not answer them. At that time He will hide His face from them because of the evil they have done.
- Job 27:9 Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?
- Ezekiel 20:3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Have you come to inquire of Me? As surely as I live, I will not be consulted by you, declares the Lord GOD.
- Matthew 7:22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
- Luke 13:25 After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’