2 Samuel 22:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then the channels of the sea were seen; the foundations of the world were laid bare, at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

NIV: The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of breath from his nostrils.

NASB: Then the channels of the sea appeared, The foundations of the world were exposed By the rebuke of the Lord, From the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

CSB: The depths of the sea became visible, the foundations of the world were exposed at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

NLT: Then at the command of the Lord, at the blast of his breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.

KJV: And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

NKJV: Then the channels of the sea were seen, The foundations of the world were uncovered, At the rebuke of the Lord, At the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

Second Samuel 22:8–16 includes David's vivid metaphor of natural disaster to describe how God rescued him. David cried out for God to save his life (2 Samuel 22:5–7). In His anger, God arrived with earthquakes, fiery projectiles, and dark clouds. Once God rebuked David's enemies, He reached down and placed David in a safe place (2 Samuel 22:17–20). This passage is nearly identical to Psalm 18:7–15.

Through a psalm, David gives God credit for his life. David faithfully relied on God. In response, God rescued him from violent men, internal rebellion, and foreign armies. God strengthened David in battle, secured his throne, and made foreign nations serve him. God did so because David was blameless: David did sin greatly, but he also deeply repented his sin. David praises God for His love in establishing his kingdom for himself and his descendants. Second Samuel 23:1–7 speaks more about God's covenant with David. Psalm 18 records a slightly altered version of this chapter.

Second Samuel 22 is part of an epilogue. When originally written, there was a single book, which was later split into 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. This chapter begins to close out the story so far. This is the center of a mirror-like structure, called a "chiasm," seen in 2 Samuel 21—24. Despite Saul's sins (2 Samuel 21:1–14) and David's sins (2 Samuel 24), God gives Israel victory over their enemies (2 Samuel 21:15–22; 23:8–39). Second Samuel 22:1—23:7 describes how God used David in this. God rescued David from his enemies so he could fight for Israel and lead well. That blessing continues in the Davidic Covenant which is fulfilled in Jesus (2 Samuel 23:5). Psalm 18 is an edited version of 2 Samuel 22.

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.