Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 8

Verses 1-8

Victories over Various Nations

v. 1. And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines and subdued them, brought them completely into his power. And David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines, literally, "the bridle of the mother," of the chief city, the figurative saying being understood of the complete yielding to the control of another.

v. 2. And he smote Moab, east and southeast of the Dead Sea, 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. It was a very severe punishment which was here meted out to the Moabites, since their soldiers were compelled to lie down on the ground, two thirds of them being measured for death and one-third for life. And so the Moabites, with only a third of their warriors remaining, became David's servants and brought gifts, that is, paid tribute-money.

v. 3. David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, a district of Syria, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates; for Saul had already successfully fought against this nation, 1 Samuel 14:47. When Hadadezer attempted to recover his shattered power on the Euphrates, David completed the work begun by Saul and brought the entire territory into subjection to him.

v. 4. And David took from him a thousand chariots and seven hundred horsemen (some read seven thousand, 1 Chronicles 18:4) and twenty thousand footmen. And David houghed all the chariot horses, by cutting the sinews of their hind feet, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots, probably to display them in a triumphal procession or for the use of his guard.

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

v. 6. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus, in the country of the Arameans, whose capital was Damascus, a city still situated in its ancient location on the Pharpar River and on the great caravan route between Central Asia and the Mediterranean: and the Syrians became servants to David, tributary to Israel, and brought gifts. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went; his success was due entirely to the blessing of Jehovah.

v. 7. And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, for the officers of this king could afford such costly weapons, and brought them to Jerusalem, as a part of the rich booty made in this war.

v. 8. And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took exceeding much brass, for it seems that there were very productive copper-mines in this part of Syria. Note: If a believer undertakes his work in the fear of God and to His glory, the Lord will grant His blessing according to His promise.

Verses 9-18

David's Prestige Recognized

v. 9. When Toi, king of Hamath, a district of Syria on the Orontes River, heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

v. 10. then Toi sent Joram, his son (also known as Hadoram), unto King David, to salute him, with the usual greetings of peace, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and smitten him; for Hadadezer had wars with Toi, he had been waging continual war with Toi with the purpose of subduing his land. David's victory had freed him from a dangerous enemy, and therefore Toi wisely sought an alliance with the powerful victor. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver and vessels of gold and vessels of brass, gifts almost like those of a tributary king,

v. 11. which also, like the metal brought as booty from the Syrian war, King David did dedicate unto the Lord, placing them into the treasury of the Tabernacle, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued, including the Ammonites, the Amalekites, and the Edomites;

v. 13. And David gat him a name, he gained renown, his fame spread far and wide, when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, being eighteen thousand men, namely, of the Edomites. It seems that the children of Edom took the opportunity offered by David's absence in the Syrian country to make an attack on Southern Canaan. They had advanced to the Southern end of the Dead Sea when the army of David, just back from the Syrian war, fell upon them with such disastrous results.

v. 14. And he put garrisons in Edom; through out all Edom put he garrisons, the character of the country demanding such a complete garrisoning, and all they of Edom became David's servants, tributary vassals. And the lord preserved David whithersoever he went; it was due to God's protection, to his blessing, that David was so successful in his campaign.

v. 15. And David reigned over all Israel, the reunited nation. And David, taking advantage of the peaceful conditions following the conquest of the various nations, executed judgment and justice unto all his people; he built up his influence among his own people by a wise and just rule, ordering and administering the affairs of the nation with great care.

v. 16. And Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was over the host, had supreme command of the army; and Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, was recorder, chronicler and preserver of the most important happenings in the kingdom;

v. 17. and Zadok, the son of Ahitub, of the line of Eleazar, Aaron's son, and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, of the line of Eli, were the priests, that is, the high priests, one probably officiating at the Tabernacle on the heights of Gibeon, 1 Chronicles 16:39, the other in the tent at Jerusalem; and Seraiah was the scribe, secretary of state;

v. 18. and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites, the king's body-guard, who not only carried out the royal orders, but also executed the royal death sentences, being executioners and runners; and David's sons were chief rulers, serving as confidential counselors. Like David, all believers labor and battle during their whole life for the honor of the Lord, serve Him with body and soul, and willingly sacrifice of the blessing which the Lord has given them.