And it shall be, if it make thee answer of
peace
Comply with the terms of peace offered:
and open unto thee;
the gates of the city and its garrisons, and deliver all into
their hands:
then it shall be that all the people that is found
therein;
some having made their escape before the surrender of the city:
shall be tributaries unto thee:
pay a yearly tax imposed upon them, as the Moabites sometimes
did, and which was paid in lambs and rams with the wool, (
2 Kings 3:4 )
and they shall serve thee;
not as slaves, or be in continual bondage and servitude; but upon
occasion be called out to any public service, as joining them
against their enemies, rebuilding palaces and cities, or
repairing walls of cities, and the like; and in general
acknowledge their dominion over them, and their own subjection to
them, by paying an annual tribute, or sending gifts unto them;
thus the Moabites, Syrians, and Edomites, became the servants of
David, ( 2 Samuel 8:2
2 Samuel
8:6 2 Samuel
8:14 ) .