2 Samuel 8

David subdueth the Philistines, ver 1. as also the Moabites, 2. Smitteth likewise Haladezer King of Zoba, 3. and the Syrians of Damascus that came to help him, 5. placeth a Garrison in Syria of Damascus, 6. is honoured with sumptuous Presents by king Thoi, which he dedicateth to God, with a great prey, 10. Smitteth the Edomites, and placeth a Garrison in their Land, 13. a relation of David Government, and his chiefest Officers, 15.

1. And it came to pass after that, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: And David took Meleg-Amma [i.e. The Bridle of Amma, or, of the Elbow. It seemeth altogether, that hereby is meant Gath, which was the Royal City, or Metropolis of the Philistines, expressly mentioned, 1 Chron.18.1. and (as some conceive) lying upon a mountain called Amma, and here called a bridle, because by its strength and power it bridled and kept in law the circumjacent places, and hindered the inroad of the enemies] out of the Philistines hand.]

2. He smote also the Moabites, and measured them with a line, [i.e. He divided their Land by measuring it, which was done at that time with lines or cords, destroying by lot two parts of the Inhabitants, but saving one full part alive: or, he divided the people into three equal parts, by casting lots so equal, as if they had been measured with lines, &c. God indeed had commanded to spare Ammon and Moab (the Posterity of Lot) Deut.2.9, 19. but because they had exercised bitter enmity against the people of God, and had combined with their enemies, therefore David dealt in an hostile manner with them. See Numb.22.2, 3, 4.&c. & 24.17. & 25.17, 18. & 31.2. Judg.3.14 21, 28, 30. 1 Sam.14 47. And below chapter 10.4, 7, &c.] causing them to lie town on the ground: [in a contemptible manner casting them down to the ground: or, so beating them, that they bowed (as it were) down to the ground, being wearied out, and conquered] and he measured (with) two lines, to put to death, and (with) one full line to keep alive: thus the Moabites became servants to David, bringing Presents. [In token of subjection. So below verse 6.]

3. David smote also Hadadezer: 1 Chron.18.3.] the son of Rechob, the King Of Zoba; [see 1 Sam.14.47. This is thought to have been that part of Syria, which is called Saphene, these words Zoba, or Zova, and Soshene, agreeing very neer together. See also below chap.10.6.] when he [viz. David; or, as some conceive, Hadadezer] went his way to turn his hand to the river Phrat. [i.e. to stretch out his hand, &c.] Oth. to set, or recover his borders, (Heb. to cause to return, or, to bring back) at the river Phrat: i.e. Euphrates, which border was promised Israel by God, and consequently was to be allotted to them: compare 1 Chron.18.3. and see Gen.15.18 &c.]

4. And David took from him a thousand (Charets,) [This is here inserted from 1 Chron.18.4. where this History is repeated] and seven hundred horsemen, [understand (as some take it) troops or companies of horsemen, each troop or company consisting of ten, which make together seven thousand horsemen, which number is expressly set down, 1 Chron.18 4. Compare below chap.10.on v.18.] and twenty thousand foot-men; and David houghed all [except the hundred, which he kept, as followeth] the charet-horses, [or, charets: see Jos.11.6.] and reserved thereof an hundred charets.

5. And the Syrians of Damascus [Heb. Aram; i.e. Syria: see Gen.10.on ver.22. & 22.on ver.21. whereby the Syrians are understood. Syria of Damascus was indeed the chief part of Kingdom, among all the parts, Lands, Provinces, or Kingdom (whereof some are rehearsed below, chap.10.6.) which were comprehended under Syria: being for difference sake called Syria of Damascus, from the name of the Metropolis, or chief City of this Kingdom] came to succour Hadadezer, King of Zoba; but David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

6. And David put Garrisons in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants unto David, bringing Presents: [As above ver.2.] and the LORD preserved David [or gave David salvation, or conquest, victory: for which the Hebrew word may be stilt taken in Martial, or warlike affairs: so below v.14. and 22.on v.51. and 23.v 10, 12. Psal.20 6. Prov. 21 31, &c.] whithersoever he went.

7. And David took the golden shields, that were with the servants [i.e. Officers] of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8. Besides, King David took exceeding much Copper from Bethach, and from Berothat, [Called Tibehat, and Can, 1 Chron.18.8.] Cities of Hadadezer.

9. Now when Thoi [Called also Thou, 1 Chron.18.9.] King of Hamath [see Numb.13.on v.22.] heard, that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer.

10. Then Thoi sent his son Joram [Called Hadoram, 1 Chron.18.10.] unto King David, to ask him concerning (his) welfare, [Heb. concerning the peace; i.e. to salute him in a friendly manner: see Gen.43.on v.27.] and to bless him, [i.e. to salute him, and to bid him joy, in regard of the victory obtained, that is, to congratulate him, as weuse to lay] because he had warred against Hadadezer, and smitten him; (for Hadadezer, and smitten him; (for Hadadezer made war continually against Thoi:) [Heb. was a man of wars of Thoi: i.e. he made continual war against him, was his enemy, and fought against him, who never left him unmolested: see Gen.9 on v.20. & compare Judg.12.on v.2. below chap 18.on v.20. & 2 Chron.35.on v.21. Psal.41. 10] and in his hand were silver vessels, and golden vessels, and copper vessels; [i.e. Joram the son of Thoi had these Gifts of Presents by him ready at hand, as we use to say: see the like phrase, 1 Samuel 9:8. 2 King.5.5 &c.]

11. Which also King David hallowed unto the LORD; with the silver, and the gold, which he had dedicated, of all the Hea hen, which he had subjected (unto himself.)

12. Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amlek, and of the prey of Hadadezer, the son of Rechob, the King of Zoba.

13. Also David gat (him) a name, when he returned, after that he had smitten the Syrians in the valley of salt, [viz Got him a name, or (smiting) in the valley of salt, &c. whereof 2 King.14.7. The Valley lay at the south-end of the salt-sea, at the East end of the mountain of the Edomites, or Seir] eighteen thousand. [of the Edomites: see 1 Chron.18.12. whereunto agreeth the following verse: compare also Psl.60.on v.2.]

14. And he put Garrisons in Edom, in all Edom put he Garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David: [And his Posterity, until the time of Joram, the son of Josaphet: see 2 King.8.22.] and the Lord preserved David [as above v.6.] whithersoever he went.

15. Thus David reigned over all Israel; and David did [Heb. was doing] right and justice [see Gen.18.on v.19.] unto all his people.

16. Now Joab, the son of Zeruja, was over the host [i.e. Captain General, or Commander in chief] and Josaphat, the son of Achilud, was Chancellour. [see 1 King.4.on v 3.]

17. And Zadok [Of Aaron line or race, by Eleazar 1 Chron 6.4, 8. & 24.3. see of this man below chap.15.24. & 20.25. 1 Chron.16.39. & 24.3. &29. 22. also 1 King.1.8, 32, 38. & 1 King.2.35.] the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, [of Aarons line or race, by Ithamar, and Eli, 1 Chron.24.3.] the son of Abiathar, were Priest: [of the orders of the Priests: see Numb.3.on v.32. & 2 King.23.on v.4.] and Seraja was the Scribe. [see 1 King.4 3.]

18. There was also Benaja, the son of Jojada, with the Crethi, and the Plethi: [Over whom Benaja was Commander or Governour: see 2 Sam.20.23. 1 Chron.18.17. Of the Crethi and Plethi, see 1 King.1.on v.38.] but David’s sons mere Princes. [or, head-officers, chief Rulers. Of the Hebrew word (which otherwise generally signifieth Priests) see Gen.41.on v 45. Here it cannot signify Priests, because David’s sons were of the tribe of Juda, not of the tribe of Levi. This word is thus expounded, 1 Chron.18.17. David’s son were the first on the Kings hand: or, ready at hand for the King, as we use to say.]