2 Samuel 8:5-15

5 When the Syrians of Damascus sent an army to help King Hadadezer, David attacked it and killed twenty-two thousand men.

6 Then he set up military camps in their territory, and they became his subjects and paid taxes to him. The Lord made David victorious everywhere.

7 David captured the gold shields carried by Hadadezer's officials and took them to Jerusalem.

8 He also took a great quantity of bronze from Betah and Berothai, cities ruled by Hadadezer.

9 King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated all of Hadadezer's army.

10 So he sent his son Joram to greet King David and congratulate him for his victory over Hadadezer, against whom Toi had fought many times. Joram took David presents made of gold, silver, and bronze.

11 King David dedicated them for use in worship, along with the silver and gold he took from the nations he had conquered -

12 Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek - as well as part of the loot he had taken from Hadadezer.

13 David became even more famous when he returned from killing eighteen thousand Edomites in Salt Valley. ¹

14 He set up military camps throughout Edom, and the people there became his subjects. The Lord made David victorious everywhere.

15 David ruled over all of Israel and made sure that his people were always treated fairly and justly.

2 Samuel 8:5-15 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Cross References

• 1. 8.13 Ps 60 Title.

Footnotes

• [a]. set up military camps in; [or] placed military commanders over.
• [b]. set up military camps; [or] placed military commanders.