2 Samuel 8

2 Samuel 8:1

subdued. While David was victorious over enemies without, he was defeated by enemies within. See 2Sa 11 and 2Sa 12.

Metheg-ammah. 1 Chronicles 18:1 gives us the meaning, and shows that Metheg = bridle or reins, is put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for power or government, and Ammah = mother-city: i, e. “Gath and her daughters (i.e. towns)” (1 Chronicles 18:1).

2 Samuel 8:2

smote Moab. Thus fulfilling Numbers 24:17.

measured = allotted, or divided by lot. See note on “line”, below: i.e. David divided into two companies those who were to be spared and those who were not.

them = the territory. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6, for their territory. line. Line, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for dividing or allotting what was measured with it. Deuteronomy 3:4, Deuteronomy 3:13 (region); 2 Samuel 32:8, 2 Samuel 32:9. Joshua 17:6, Joshua 17:14. Psalms 19:4. Amos 7:17. Micah 2:5. 2 Corinthians 10:16.

casting them = casting down the cities. See note on “them”, above, and compare 1 Chronicles 18:2 = " made them his servants", or vassals.

to put to death. These were soldiers in arms, not inhabitants.

2 Samuel 8:3

Hadadezer. Some codices, with four early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “Hadadezer” (compare 1 Chronicles 18:3, 1 Chronicles 18:5). Some divide and make it two words.

Zobah. See Psalms 60:1, and compare 1 Samuel 14:47.

recover. Hebrew cause his hand to cover: “hand “put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for possessing.

border = boundary. 1 Chronicles 18:2, “establish his dominion there”.

Euphrates. Compare 1 Chronicles 18:3 and Genesis 15:18.

2 Samuel 8:4

seven hundred. =1 Chronicles 18:47; 1 Chronicles 18:000; but Hebrew f = 7 and J = 700 are easily mistaken one for the other. See note on 1 Kings 4:26. [f and J represent Hebrew characters]

2 Samuel 8:5

men. Hebrew. ’ish. App-14.

2 Samuel 8:6

gifts: i.e. tribute.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

2 Samuel 8:7

shields. Septuagint reads “bracelets”.

2 Samuel 8:9

Toi. Septuagint and Vulgate read “Tou” throughout. Compare 1 Chronicles 18:9. He was a Hittite king.

2 Samuel 8:10

Joram. Septuagint reads “Hadoram”. Compare 1 Chronicles 18:10.

had wars with. Hebrew = " was a man (’ish, App-14) of wars with. "

with him. Hebrew in his hand.

2 Samuel 8:12

Syria. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read “Edom”

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6.

children = sons.

Amalek. See note on Exodus 17:16.

2 Samuel 8:13

gat him = made himself.

smiting = his smiting. This is David’s exploit. In 1 Chronicles 18:3, 1 Chronicles 18:12 it is Abishai’s command, while in title of Psa 60 (Psalms 60:1) it is Joab’s share in the campaign (1 Kings 11:16).

eighteen thousand. This is the total. Joab’s share was 12,000, and took six months longer. Compare 1 Kings 11:13, 1 Kings 11:16.

2 Samuel 8:14

garrisons, or political residents.

2 Samuel 8:16

recorder = remembrancer.

2 Samuel 8:17

Zadok. Probably served at Gibeon. Compare 1 Chronicles 18:16.

Ahimelech the son of Abiathar. Named after his grandfather (1 Samuel 21:1; 2 Samuel 22:9, 2 Samuel 22:16).

Abiathar. Probably served at Jerusalem.

the scribe. The first occurrence of this title. Hebrew. sophir, a counter. Individual soribes held high positions as associates of the High Priests, and of the commanderin-chief. They were amanuenses, registrars, accountants (2 Kings 12:10); adjutants (2 Kings 25:19); secretaries of state (2 Samuel 8:17. Isaiah 33:18). First occurrence as a class or caste (1 Chronicles 2:33); a branch of the Levites (2 Chronicles 34:13). When Priests, who should have been teachers of the Law (Deuteronomy 17:11; Deuteronomy 33:10), be-came absorbed in ritual, the Scribes became custodians. Ezra was an ideal priest and scribe.

2 Samuel 8:18

Benaiah. Compare 2 Samuel 23:20.

Cherethites . . . Pelethites. David’s body-guard. Here ends the prosperous part of David’s reign.