2 Samuel 8

David’s Triumphs

1 Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah ^[a] from the hand of the Philistines. ¹

2 David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

3 David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River. ^[b]

4 David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, ^[c] and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their men.

6 Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

7 And David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 And from Betah ^[d] and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a large amount of bronze.

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

10 he sent his son Joram ^[f] to greet King David and bless him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer, who had been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver and gold and bronze,

11 and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued—

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

13 And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites ^[h] in the Valley of Salt.

14 He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

David’s Officers

15 Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people: ²

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

17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah ^[i] was the scribe;

18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders. ^[j]

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 .

Cross References

• 1. (1 Chronicles 18:1–13; Psalms 60:1–12)
• 2. (1 Chronicles 18:14–17)

Footnotes

• [a]. Metheg-ammah means bridle of the mother city.
• [b]. LXX, Syriac, and Vulgate (see also 1 Chronicles 18:3); Hebrew along the River, or an alternate reading along the Euphrates
• [c]. LXX (see also DSS and 1 Chronicles 18:4); MT captured from him seventeen hundred charioteers
• [d]. Hebrew; some LXX manuscripts Tebah; see 1 Chronicles 18:8.
• [e]. Toi is a variant of Tou; also in verse 10; see 1 Chronicles 18:9.
• [f]. Joram is a variant of Hadoram; see 1 Chronicles 18:10.
• [g]. Some Hebrew manuscripts, LXX, and Syriac (see also verse 14 and 1 Chronicles 18:11); most Hebrew manuscripts Aram
• [h]. A few Hebrew manuscripts, LXX, and Syriac (see also verse 14 and 1 Chronicles 18:12); most Hebrew manuscripts Arameans
• [i]. Seraiah is also called Sheva, Shisha, and Shavsha; see 2 Samuel 20:25, 1 Kings 4:3, and 1 Chronicles 18:16.
• [j]. Literally priests, or possibly chief officials; see LXX, Targum Yonaton, and 1 Chronicles 18:17.

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.