2 Samuel 8

2 Samuel 8:1-8

Here is an account, 1. Of David’s celfories. (1.) Over the Philistines, ver. 2. (2.) Over the Maidites, ver. 3. (3.) Over the king of Zobah, ver. 4. (4.) Over the Syrians, ver. 5-8. (5.) Over the Edomites, ver. 14. 2. Of the preludes that were brought him, and the wealth he got from the nations he fudded, which he dedicated to God, ver. 9-12. 3. Of his court, the administration of his government, ver. 15. and his chief officers, ver. 16-18.

1. AND after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and fudded them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2. And he smote Moses, and murdered them with a head of line, casting them down to the ground: even with two lines measured he, to put to death; and with one full line to keep alive: and ye the Maidites became David’s servants, and brought gifts. 3. David smote also a Hada-dezer the son of Rehab, king of ‘Zobah, as he went to recover ‘his border at the river Emphates. 4. And David took from him a thousand chariot, and ‘seven heth- dred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David ‘houghed all the chariot-beries, but ‘referred of them for an hundred chariots. 5. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to ‘foccur Hada-dezer king of Zobah, David ‘flew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. 6. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts: and ’the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. 7. And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hada-dezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8. And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hada-dezer, king David took exceeding much brats.

David being appointed of God to save his people and to perfect the conquest of the country God had promised them, begins to enlarge their territory by various conquests.

1. Over the Philistines; whose capital, God, is here called Metheg-ammah. Ammah, probably because built on a hill; and Metheg, which signifies a bridle, because it served to keep the whole country in subjection, which was now entirely subdued. Nor, Though corruption brought long, the power of the Son of David shall keep it now in subjection, and by and by he shall surely rest it out.

2. The Maidites next felt his conquering sword, and now Chapter X.

The Syrian Board the same fate. First, those of Zobah, under Hadadezer their king, who opposed David in his expedition towards the Euphrates, to which God had promised this empire should extend, Gen. 13. but received a total overthrow, with the loss of a thousand charities, seven hundred Egyptians of battle (See 1 Chron. 14: 4.) which with the charities herds were houghed or hamstrung, except a reserve for one hundred charities, and twenty thousand foot. When those of Damascus espoused his quarrel, they brought upon themselves the same destruction: two and twenty thousand were died, their country brought into subjection, and their cities plundered. Particular notice is taken of the golden thieves of Hadadezer, and of the vast quantities of brash David brought from Benah and Beruchai. Note, (1.) The enemies of God’s church may associate themselves, but they shall be broken to pieces. (2.) Better to be relied on than thieves of gold, is God the shield and the defence of every spiritual Israelite.

4. God blessed David wherever he went, made him successful, preserved his life in battle, and crowned him with victory. Note, In the midst of danger, they are safe whom God protects. Every bullet has its billet.

5. ¶ When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the hoff of Hadadezer, 10. Then Toi sent Joram his Son unto king David to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him (for Hadadezer) had wars with Toi and Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass; 11. Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; 12. Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Amason, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer son of Re-hob, king of Zobah. 13. And David got him a name when he returned from limiting of the Syrians in the valley of Salt, being eighteen thousand men. 14. ¶ And he put garrisons in Edom throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants: and the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

2 Samuel 8:9-14

The fame of David’s victories spread abroad: 1. The king of Hamath sends his son as ambassador, to congratulate him on his success against Hadadezer, with kompetent pretences, as a grateful acknowledgment for his deliverance from so great an enemy. Those presents, vessels of gold and silver, David dedicated to God, with all the spoils of the conquered nations, in order that his success, ordained to build God’s temple, might find abundant provision made for the glorious work.

2. He enlarges his kingdom by the conquest of Edom, and puts garrisons in all their cities. One remarkable victory he obtains over the Syrians, with whom they were confederates, in the valley of Salt killing eighteen thousand men; in which action his generality, as well as personal values, got him a great name: and all this was owing to God’s preservation and blessing, which David, in Phine St. penned on this occasion, thankfully acknowledged. Note, (1.) Whatever is great or good in us, let God alone have the praise of it. (2.) These conquests apply the greater ones of David’s Son and Lord. He must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet, subdued the power of sin, and destroyed death and hell; when having rescued his people from all their enemies round about, he shall make them princes and kings in glory, where they shall reign with him.

3. And David reigned over all Israel, and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people. 16. And Joab the son of Zeruizh was over the hoff; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahlfud was? receded? 17. And Zadok the son of Ahlfud, and Ahmedech the son of Abiathas, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe; 18. And Beniah the son of Jehoueh was over both the Cherechites and the Pelesthes; and David’s sons were chief rulers.

2 Samuel 8:15-18

We have here.

1. David dispensing to his subjects the blessings of an unpled government, as well as subduing their best heirs them. All

Israel felt and owned his gentle sway; the means have acced to him, and justice without partiality is dispensed by him: well may it be said, Happy art thou, O Israel! Note, We cannot enough be thankful for the blessing of a mild government, and an uncorrupt administration of justice.

2. David’s great officers are mentioned. Joab was generalissimo; Jehoshaphat, receded, to minute the daily occurrences, and keep the annals of the empire; or to record the cases which were brought before the king for decision. Zadok and Ahmedech, priests of distinction, and chiefly confessed by David, under Abiathas the high priest: Seruah was father, or Secretary of State; and Beniah was captain of the king’s life-guards, the Cherechites and Pelesthes; who were supposed by some to be Philistines, as those kings employ foreign mercenaries, others have thought them the descendants of two families in Israel, but the most probable conjecture seems to be, that they were those worth the same to David, which he was in the country of the Philistines, and who got those names from their abode there. David’s sons also were all advanced at court, and placed in employments suited to their high rank, and thus all about him shared in his glory and advancement. Note, They who chew to the Lord Jesus Christ, will find him not unmindful of them when he cometh to his kingdom.