2 Samuel8

New American Standard

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¹Now it happened afterward that David defeated the Philistines and subdued them; and David took control of the chief city from the hand of the Philistines.

²And He defeated Moab, and measured them with the line, making them lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and a full line to keep alive. And the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute.

³Then David defeated Hadadezer, the son of Rehob king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the Euphrates River.

⁴And David captured from him 1,700 horsemen and twenty thousand foot soldiers; and David hamstrung almost all the chariot horses, but left enough of them for a hundred chariots.

⁵When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand men among the Arameans.

⁶Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And the Lord helped David wherever he went.

⁷David took the shields of gold which were carried by the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

⁸And from Betah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a very large amount of bronze.

⁹Now when Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer,

¹⁰Toi sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and bless him, because he had fought Hadadezer and defeated him; for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi. And Joram brought with him articles of silver, gold, and bronze.

¹¹King David also consecrated these gifts to the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had consecrated from all the nations which he had subdued:

¹²from Aram, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoils of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

¹³So David made a name for himself when he returned from killing eighteen thousand Arameans in the Valley of Salt.

¹⁴He also put garrisons in Edom. In all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord helped David wherever he went.

¹⁵So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people.

¹⁶Joab the son of Zeruiah was commander over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was secretary.

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

¹⁸Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.

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.

Key Words

AfterH310Hebrew

אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

DavidH1732Hebrew

דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse

defeatedH5221Hebrew

נָכָה: to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

PhilistinesH6430Hebrew

פְּלִשְׁתִּי: a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth

subduedH3665Hebrew

כָּנַע: properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish

tookH3947Hebrew

לָקַח: to take (in the widest variety of applications)

Metheg-ammahH4965Hebrew

מֶתֶג הָאַמָּה: Metheg-ha-Ammah, an epithet of Gath

handH3027Hebrew

יָד: a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),

MoabH4124Hebrew

מוֹאָב: Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants

measuredH4058Hebrew

מָדַד: properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended