2 Samuele 8

1 Dopo queste cose, Davide sconfisse i Filistei e li umiliò, e tolse di mano ai Filistei la supremazia che aveano.

2 Sconfisse pure i Moabiti: e fattili giacere per terra, li misurò con la corda; ne misurò due corde per farli mettere a morte, e la lunghezza d’una corda per lasciarli in vita. E i Moabiti divennero sudditi e tributari di Davide.

3 Davide sconfisse anche Hadadezer, figliuolo di Rehob, re di Tsoba, mentr’egli andava a ristabilire il suo dominio sul fiume Eufrate.

4 Davide gli prese millesettecento cavalieri e ventimila pedoni, e tagliò i garetti a tutti i cavalli da tiro, ma riserbò dei cavalli per cento carri.

5 E quando i Siri di Damasco vennero per soccorrere Hadadezer, re di Tsoba, Davide ne uccise ventiduemila.

6 Poi Davide mise delle guarnigioni nella Siria di Damasco, e i Siri divennero sudditi e tributari di Davide; e l’Eterno rendea vittorioso Davide dovunque egli andava.

7 E Davide tolse ai servi di Hadadezer i loro scudi d’oro e li portò a Gerusalemme.

8 Il re Davide prese anche una grande quantità di rame a Betah e a Berothai, città di Hadadezer.

9 Or quando Toi, re di Hamath, ebbe udito che Davide avea sconfitto tutto l’esercito di Hadadezer,

10 mandò al re Davide Joram, suo figliuolo, per salutarlo e per benedirlo perché avea mosso guerra a Hadadezer e l’avea sconfitto (Hadadezer era sempre in guerra con Toi); e Joram portò seco de’ vasi d’argento, dei vasi d’oro e de’ vasi di rame.

11 E il re Davide consacrò anche quelli all’Eterno, come avea già consacrato l’argento e l’oro tolto alle nazioni che avea soggiogate:

12 ai Siri, ai Moabiti, agli Ammoniti, ai Filistei, agli Amalekiti, e come avea fatto del bottino di Hadadezer, figliuolo di Rehob, re di Tsoba.

13 Al ritorno dalla sua vittoria sui Siri, Davide s’acquistò ancor fama, sconfiggendo nella valle del Sale diciottomila Idumei.

14 E pose delle guarnigioni in Idumea; ne mise per tutta l’Idumea, e tutti gli Edomiti divennero sudditi di Davide; e l’Eterno rendea vittorioso Davide dovunque egli andava.

15 Davide regnò su tutto Israele, facendo ragione e amministrando la giustizia a tutto il suo popolo.

16 E Joab, figliuolo di Tseruia, comandava l’esercito; Giosafat, figliuolo di Ahilud, era cancelliere;

17 Tsadok, figliuolo di Ahitub, e Ahimelec, figliuolo di Abiathar, erano sacerdoti; Seraia era segretario;

18 Benaia, figliuolo di Jehoiada, era capo dei Kerethei e dei Pelethei, e i figliuoli di Davide erano ministri di stato.

2 Samuele 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 .

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.