And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
Parallel translations
- WEB He sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and confused them.
- BSB He shot His arrows and scattered the foes; He hurled lightning and routed them.
- NKJV He sent out arrows and scattered them; Lightning bolts, and He vanquished them.
- NASB “And He shot arrows and scattered them, Lightning, and routed them.
- NLT He shot arrows and scattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were confused.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God sends arrows and lightning to scatter and rout David's enemies. The Lord himself fights and wins the battle.
Overview
Lightning bolts become God's arrows, scattering the foes in confusion. The imagery shows that David's victories are ultimately God's doing, not his own prowess. It teaches that the Lord is a mighty warrior for his people, a truth fulfilled as Christ defeats every spiritual enemy.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Deut 32:23I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.
- Hab 3:11The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.
- Josh 10:10And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
- Ps 144:6–7Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
- Ps 18:14Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
- Ps 7:12–13If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
- Ps 45:5Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 22:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.