שמואל ב, פרק כ״ב, פסוק ל״ט

The total defeat of enemy nations in battle is marked by a complete physical shattering. In a declaration of absolute victory, David recounts how he thoroughly broke and severely wounded his adversaries [אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת ציון]. The resulting devastation left them unable to rise. This was not a retreat or a choice to stay down; the enemy forces had completely lost the physical capacity to stand back up [אברבנאל].

When reflecting on this song of victory, commentators note distinct differences between its presentation here and its parallel version in the Book of Psalms [מנחת שי, אברבנאל]. In this historical account, David emphasizes that he both wiped out and crushed his enemies. The version in Psalms omits the explicit mention of wiping them out. Since the preceding moments already established that the enemy was pursued to their end, repeating the concept of total ruin would be unnecessary. Instead, the focus remains solely on the crushing blow, explaining exactly how that final defeat was achieved, specifically through severe strikes that permanently kept the enemy down [אברבנאל].

Furthermore, the timing of the actions shifts between the two accounts. Here, the events are firmly rooted in the past. David is singing about actual battles he has already fought and won. Conversely, the Book of Psalms frames these same actions as unfolding in the future. This shift occurs because Psalms was arranged as a guide for the praying individual. By looking forward, the words transform from a historical reflection into a personal request and a hopeful plea for future deliverance [אברבנאל].