2 Samuel 8KJV
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2 Samuel8

King James Version · Public Domain

1And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg–ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

2And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

3David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

4And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.

5And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

6Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.

7And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

9When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

10Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

11Which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;

12Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

14And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.

15And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

16And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

17And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

18And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Samuel 8.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: David subdues the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Syrians. (1–8). The spoil dedicated. (9–14). David's government and officers. (15–18).

vv1-8

David subdued the Philistines. They had long been troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles the saints have with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son of David shall tread them all under foot, and make the saints more than conquerors. He smote the Moabites, and made them tributaries to Israel. Two parts he destroyed, the third part he spared. The line that was to keep alive, though it was but one, is ordered to be a full line. Let the line of mercy be stretched to the utmost. He smote the Syrians. In all these wars David was protected, for this in his psalms he often gives glory to God.

vv9-14

All the precious things David was master of, were dedicated things; they were designed for building the temple. The idols of gold David destroyed, 2Sa 5:21, but the vessels of gold he dedicated. Thus, in the conquest of a soul by the grace of the Son of David, what stands in opposition to God must be destroyed, every lust must be mortified and crucified, but what may glorify him must be dedicated; thus the property of it is altered. God employs his servants in various ways; some, as David, in spiritual battles; others, as Solomon, in spiritual buildings; and one prepares work for the other, that God may have the glory of all.

vv15-18

David neither did wrong, nor denied or delayed right to any. This speaks his close application to business; also his readiness to admit all addresses and appeals made to him. He had no respect of persons in judgment. Herein he was a type of Christ. To Him let us submit, his friendship let us seek, his service let us count our pleasure, diligently attending to the work he assigns to each of us. David made his sons chief rulers; but all believers, Christ's spiritual seed, are better preferred, for they are made kings and priests to our God, Re 1:6.

Cross References

2 Samuel 8
v2Numbers 24:17fulfillment

Fulfilled Balaam's prophecy that a star from Jacob would rise and smite the corners of Moab.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v3Genesis 15:18fulfillment

Fulfillment of God's covenant boundary promise to Abraham, extending Israel's territory to the Euphrates.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

Direct parallel account of David dedicating the silver and gold won from the nations to God.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v14Genesis 27:40fulfillment

Fulfillment of Isaac's prophecy that Esau (Edom) would serve his brother Jacob.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

Law forbidding seeking Moab's peace, explaining the severity of David's measuring-line judgment.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Parallel account of David defeating Hadadezer (Hadarezer) king of Zobah near the Euphrates.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v4Joshua 11:6thematic

Matches Joshua's practice of hamstringing war horses, adhering to God's prohibition on multiplying horses.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

The Mosaic law prohibiting Israel's king from multiplying horses, explaining why David hamstrung them.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v13Psalms 60:1thematic

Psalm written about these specific campaigns, particularly the military struggle in the Valley of Salt.

Supported by JFB

Details Abishai slaying eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

Supported by JFB

v31 Samuel 14:47thematic

Previous wars against Moab, Ammon, Edom, and the kings of Zobah under Saul.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Shows how the abundant brass captured from Hadadezer's cities was accumulated for the temple.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v111 Kings 7:51thematic

Solomon brings the dedicated things of his father David into the completed temple treasury.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v15Jeremiah 23:5typology

Prophecy of the righteous Branch of David who will execute judgment and justice on earth.

Supported by Matthew Henry

Parallel list clarifying the roles of the Cherethites, Pelethites, and David's sons.

Supported by JFB