2 Samuel 8

David's Victories

1 After this, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah^[a] from Philistine control.^[b][c]

2 He also defeated the Moabites, and after making them lie down on the ground, he measured them off with a cord. He measured every two cord lengths [of those] to be put to death and one length [of those] to be kept alive. So the Moabites became David's subjects and brought tribute.

3 David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who went to restore his control at the Euphrates River.

4 David captured 1,700 horsemen^[d] and 20,000 foot soldiers from him, and he hamstrung all the horses, and he kept 100 chariots.^[e][f]

5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to assist King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 Aramean men.

6 Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David's subjects and brought tribute. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.^[g]

7 David took the gold shields of Hadadezer's officers and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 King David also took huge quantities of bronze from Betah^[h] and Berothai, Hadadezer's cities.

9 When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,

10 he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Toi and Hadadezer had fought many wars. Joram had items of silver, gold, and bronze with him.

11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued-

12 from Edom,^[i] Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Amalekites, and the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 David made a reputation for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites^[j] in the Valley of Salt.^[k]

14 He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.^[l]

15 So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people.

16 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was court historian;

17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was court secretary;

18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada [was over] the Cherethites and the Pelethites;^[m] and David's sons were chief officials.^[n][o]

2 Samuel 8 Commentary

Chapter 8

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

1-8. 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.

Verses 9-14 All the precious things David was master of, were dedicated things; they were designed for building the temple. ( 2 Samuel. 5:21 ) 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.

Verses 15-18 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 .

Footnotes

• [a]. Or took control of the mother city; Hb obscure
• [b]. LXX reads them, and David took tribute out of the hand of the Philistines
• [c]. 2 Sm 3:18
• [d]. LXX, DSS read 1,000 chariots and 7,000 horsemen
• [e]. Or chariot horses
• [f]. 1 Ch 18:4
• [g]. 2 Sm 8:14
• [h]. Some LXX mss, Syr read Tebah
• [i]. Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr; MT reads Aram; 1 Ch 18:11
• [j]. A few Hb mss, LXX, Syr; MT reads Arameans; 1 Ch 18:12
• [k]. the Dead Sea region
• [l]. 1 Ch 18:1-12
• [m]. 2 Sm 23:23
• [n]. LXX; MT reads were priests; 1 Ch 18:17
• [o]. 1 Ch 18:14-17

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 8

This chapter gives a relation of the wars of David with his enemies, and his victories over them, particularly the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, and Edomites, and of the spoils he took from them, and of the presents made to him by others, 2Sa 8:1-14; and of his righteous administration of government, and of the principal officers in his court and camp, 2Sa 8:15-18.