Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 8

Verse 1

subdued . While David was victorious over enemies without, he was defeated by enemies within. See 2 Samuel 11:0 and 2 Samuel 12:0 .

Metheg-ammah . 1 Chronicles 18:1 gives us the meaning, and shows that Metheg = bridle or reins, is put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for power or government, and Ammah = mother-city: i, e. "Gath and her daughters (i.e. towns)" (1 Chronicles 18:1 ).

Verse 2

smote Moab . Thus fulfilling Numbers 24:17 .

measured = allotted, or divided by lot. See note on "line", below: i.e. David divided into two companies those who were to be spared and those who were not.

them = the territory. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for their territory. line. Line, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for dividing or allotting what was measured with it. Deuteronomy 3:4 , Deuteronomy 3:13 (region); 2Sa 32:8 , 2Sa 32:9 . Joshua 17:6 , Joshua 17:14 .Psalms 19:4 .Amos 7:17 . Micah 2:5 . 2 Corinthians 10:16 .

casting them = casting down the cities. See note on "them", above, and compare 1 Chronicles 18:2 = " made them his servants", or vassals.

to put to death . These were soldiers in arms, not inhabitants.

Verse 3

Hadadezer . Some codices, with four early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "Hadadezer" (compare 1 Chronicles 18:3 , 1 Chronicles 18:5 ). Some divide and make it two words.

Zobah . See Psalms 60:1 , and compare 1 Samuel 14:47 .

recover . Hebrew cause his hand to cover: "hand "put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for possessing.

border = boundary. 1 Chronicles 18:2 , "establish his dominion there".

Euphrates . Compare 1 Chronicles 18:3 and Genesis 15:18 .

Verse 4

seven hundred . = 1Ch 18:47 ; 1 Chronicles 18:0 ; but Hebrew f = 7 and J = 700 are easily mistaken one for the other. See note on 1 Kings 4:26 . [f and J represent Hebrew characters]

Verse 5

men . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 6

gifts : i.e. tribute.

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

Verse 7

shields . Septuagint reads "bracelets".

Verse 9

Toi . Septuagint and Vulgate read "Tou" throughout. Compare 1 Chronicles 18:9 . He was a Hittite king.

Verse 10

Joram . Septuagint reads "Hadoram". Compare 1 Chronicles 18:10 .

had wars with. Hebrew = " was a man ('ish, App-14 ) of wars with. "

with him . Hebrew in his hand.

Verse 12

Syria . Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "Edom"

and . Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .

children = sons.

Amalek . See note on Exodus 17:16 .

Verse 13

gat him = made himself.

smiting = his smiting. This is David's exploit. In 1 Chronicles 18:3 , 1 Chronicles 18:12 it is Abishai's command, while in title of Psalms 60:0 (Psalms 60:1 ) it is Joab's share in the campaign (1 Kings 11:16 ).

eighteen thousand . This is the total. Joab's share was 12,000, and took six months longer. Compare 1 Kings 11:13 , 1 Kings 11:16 .

Verse 14

garrisons , or political residents.

Verse 16

recorder = remembrancer.

Verse 17

Zadok . Probably served at Gibeon. Compare 1 Chronicles 18:16 .

Ahimelech the son of Abiathar . Named after his grandfather (1 Samuel 21:1 ; 2 Samuel 22:9 , 2 Samuel 22:16 ).

Abiathar . Probably served at Jerusalem.

the scribe. The first occurrence of this title. Hebrew. sophir, a counter. Individual soribes held high positions as associates of the High Priests, and of the commanderin-chief. They were amanuenses, registrars, accountants (2 Kings 12:10 ); adjutants (2 Kings 25:19 ); secretaries of state (2 Samuel 8:17 . Isaiah 33:18 ). First occurrence as a class or caste (1 Chronicles 2:33 ); a branch of the Levites (2 Chronicles 34:13 ). When Priests, who should have been teachers of the Law (Deuteronomy 17:11 ; Deuteronomy 33:10 ), be-came absorbed in ritual, the Scribes became custodians. Ezra was an ideal priest and scribe.

Verse 18

Benaiah . Compare 2 Samuel 23:20 .

Cherethites . . . Pelethites . David's body-guard. Here ends the prosperous part of David's reign.