2 Samuel8

World English Bible · Public Domain

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¹After this, David struck the Philistines and subdued them; and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.

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

³David also struck Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.

⁴David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand footmen. David hamstrung the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for one hundred chariots.

⁵When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck twenty two thousand men of the Syrians.

⁶Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.

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

⁸From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.

⁹When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer,

¹⁰then Toi sent Joram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze.

¹¹King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued—

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

¹³David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt.

¹⁴He put garrisons in Edom. Throughout all Edom, he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.

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

¹⁶Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder,

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

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

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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