2 Samuel 8

2Sa 8:1, 2.

DAVID

SUBDUES THE

PHILISTINES, AND

MAKES THE

MOABITES

TRIBUTARY.

1. David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines--that is,

Gath and her suburban towns

(1Ch 18:1).

That town had been "a bridle" by which the Philistines kept the people

of Judah in check. David used it now as a barrier to repress that

restless enemy.

2. he smote Moab, and measured them with a line--This refers to a

well-known practice of Eastern kings, to command their prisoners of

war, particularly those who, notorious for the atrocity of their crimes

or distinguished by the indomitable spirit of their resistance, had

greatly incensed the victors, to lie down on the ground. Then a certain

portion of them, which was determined by lot, but most commonly by a

measuring-line, were put to death. Our version makes him put two-thirds

to death, and spare one-third. The Septuagint and Vulgate make

one-half. This war usage was not, perhaps, usually practised by the

people of God; but Jewish writers assert that the cause of this

particular severity against this people was their having massacred

David's parents and family, whom he had, during his exile, committed to

the king of Moab.

2Sa 8:3-14.

HE

SMITES

HADADEZER AND THE

SYRIANS.

3. Zobah--

(1Ch 18:3).

This kingdom was bounded on the east by the Euphrates, and it extended

westward from that river, perhaps as far north as Aleppo. It was long

the chief among the petty kingdoms of Syria, and its king bore the

hereditary title of "Hadadezer" or "Hadarezer" ("Hadad," that is,

"helped").

as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates--in accordance

with the promises God made to Israel that He would give them all the

country as far as the Euphrates

(Ge 15:18;

Nu 24:17).

In the first campaign David signally defeated Hadadezer. Besides a

great number of foot prisoners, he took from him an immense amount of

booty in chariots and horses. Reserving only a small number of the

latter, he hamstrung the rest. The horses were thus mutilated because

they were forbidden to the Hebrews, both in war and agriculture. So it

was of no use to keep them. Besides, their neighbors placed much

dependence on cavalry, but having, for want of a native breed, to

procure them by purchase, the greatest damage that could be done to

such enemies was to render their horses unserviceable in war. (See also

Ge 46:6;

Jos 11:6, 9).

A king of Damascene-Syria came to Hadadezer's succor; but David routed

those auxiliary forces also, took possession of their country, put

garrisons into their fortified towns, and made them tributary.

9. Toi king of Hamath--Cœle-Syria; northwards, it extended

to the city Hamath on the Orontes, which was the capital of the

country. The Syrian prince, being delivered from the dread of a

dangerous neighbor, sent his son with valuable presents to David to

congratulate him on his victories, and solicit his alliance and

protection.

10. Joram--or Hadoram

(1Ch 18:10).

11. Which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord--Eastern princes

have always been accustomed to hoard up vast quantities of gold. This

is the first instance of a practice uniformly followed by David of

reserving, after defraying expenses and bestowing suitable rewards upon

his soldiers, the remainder of the spoil taken in war, to accumulate

for the grand project of his life--the erection of a national temple at

Jerusalem.

13. David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the

Syrians--Instead of Syrians, the Septuagint version reads

"Edomites," which is the true reading, as is evident from

2Sa 8:14.

This conquest, made by the army of David, was due to the skilful

generalship and gallantry of Abishai and Joab.

(1Ch 18:12;

compare

Ps 60:1,

title.) The valley was the ravine of salt (the Ghor), adjoining the

Salt Mountain, at the southwestern extremity of the Dead Sea,

separating the ancient territories of Judah and Edom [ROBINSON].

2Sa 8:15-18.

HIS

REIGN.

15. David executed judgment and justice unto all his people--Though

involved in foreign wars, he maintained an excellent system of

government at home, the most eminent men of the age composing his

cabinet of ministers.

16. Joab . . . was over the host--by virtue of a special promise

(2Sa 5:8).

recorder--historiographer or daily annalist, an office of great trust

and importance in Eastern countries.

17. Zadok . . . and Ahimelech . . . were the priests--On the massacre

of the priests at Nob,

[1Sa 22:19],

Saul conferred the priesthood on Zadok, of the family of Eleazar

(1Ch 6:50),

while David acknowledged Ahimelech, of Ithamar's family, who fled to

him. The two high priests exercised their office under the respective

princes to whom they were attached. But, on David's obtaining the

kingdom over all Israel, they both retained their dignity; Ahimelech

officiating at Jerusalem, and Zadok at Gibeon

(1Ch 16:39).

18. Cherethites--that is, Philistines

(Zep 2:5).

Pelethites--from Pelet

(1Ch 12:3).

They were the valiant men who, having accompanied David during his

exile among the Philistines, were made his bodyguard.