2 Samuel 8 Study Notes

8:1 The Philistines were never again a serious threat to Israel after David subdued them. Metheg-ammah (lit “bridle of the cubit”) is an unknown site. Some suggest the expression is figurative, indicating David took the bridle (the reins of leadership) from his enemies.

8:2 The Moabites lived on Israel’s southeast border beyond the Dead Sea. David allowed one-third of the defeated army to live; many kings of that time would not have been so merciful. Further, those who remained could then maintain the Moabite economy and thus bring tribute (regular tax that subject peoples were required to pay) to David.

8:3 Zobah was one of several Aramean (Syrian) city-states northeast of Israel. Through his conquest of Hadadezer and the other Aramean rulers, David gained control as far as the Euphrates River.

8:4 David hamstrung all the horses of the Arameans probably because chariot horses were not useful for most of Israel’s rugged territory. David also affirmed that victory did not depend on horses but on God’s will (Ps 20:7; Hos 1:7; cp. Dt 17:16). To hamstring a horse rendered it useless for military purposes.

8:5 Aramean city-states were known to band together against a common enemy.

8:6 Israelite garrisons in Aram of Damascus would ensure continued rule over the region. It also guaranteed Israel a profit from controlling major trade routes. God’s power, however, was the determining factor in David’s victories and blessing.

8:7 Gold shields seem to have been a significant part of other kings’ public displays as well (1Kg 14:26-27).

8:8 This bronze eventually became the cast-metal reservoir (1Kg 7:23; lit “sea”) in Solomon’s temple.

8:9 King Toi of Hamath, another Aramean region, sought a treaty with David since David had subdued Hadadezer, Toi’s enemy (1Sm 27:2-7).

8:10 Lesser kings often sought a treaty with a superior king by sending large gifts (2Kg 16:7-9).

8:11 David dedicated these gifts to the Lord, because he had blessed him with victory over all the nations he had subdued.

8:12 David’s victories are summarized here; his victory over the Ammonites is described later (10:1-14; 11:1; 12:26-31). Some manuscripts read “Aram” (Syria) instead of Edom, but Edom is more likely in light of v. 13.

8:13-14 Some early OT manuscripts read Edomites while others say “Arameans.” The only difference between the two words in Hebrew is one slight variation in a letter. Since Salt Valley clearly designates a region by the Dead Sea, “Edomites” is more likely correct (see also v. 14 and Ps 60).

8:15 The phrase So David reigned over all Israel indicates that David now controlled not only his own people’s territory, but the land of all the surrounding peoples; thus, he had secured his borders. David ruled with justice and righteousness, reflecting two aspects of God’s character (Is 9:7; Jr 9:24).

8:16 Joab, David’s nephew, is well known to the story (2:13-30; 3:22-30). Jehoshaphat should not be confused with a descendant of David by the same name (2Ch 17-20). This Jehoshaphat served as court historian (lit “the one causing to remember”), the person who supervised the preservation of important records and who perhaps coordinated the announcement of royal edicts.

8:17 Zadok would serve David throughout his reign (20:25) and also would serve David’s son Solomon (1Kg 1:38-39; 2:35). He descended from faithful Eleazar’s line (Nm 25:7-13); his followers were known as the Zadokites, a term that became “Sadducees” during Jesus’s day (Mt 3:7; 16:1). Abiathar son of Ahimelech had escaped from Nob when Saul slaughtered all the priests (1Sm 22:20-21); he probably named his son Ahimelech in memory of his own father. Seraiah probably assisted Jehoshaphat in his administrative duties.

8:18 Benaiah served Solomon as well as David (1Kg 2:35). The meaning of Cherethites and Pelethites is uncertain, but many believe the terms designate special units of foreign-born royal bodyguards—perhaps from Crete and Philistia. Chief officials is literally “priests”; perhaps David’s sons served as palace consultants to the priesthood (1Ch 18:17). However they served, it is clear David desired a good relationship between his kingship and the priesthood.