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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMatthew Poole Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:2 - 8:2
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He smote Moab; for although the king of Moab, out of hatred to Saul, pretended some kindness to David, and gave protection to his parents, 1Sa_22:3,4; yet the Moabites were perpetual and sworn enemies to the Israelites, who therefore were forbidden to admit them into the congregation of the Lord, and to seek their peace and prosperity, Deu_23:6. And though God commanded them in their march to Canaan to spare the Moabites, Deu_2:9,19, yet afterwards they proved unthankful, and insolent, and fierce enemies to God and his people, Num_22:2,24:17,18 Jud 3:14, &c.; 1Sa_14:47, &c., and thereby provoked God to alter his course and carriage towards them.
With a line, i. e. as with line, the particle as being oft understood, as Psa_11:1 22:6 45:1. The sense is, having conquered the land, he made an estimate of it, and, as it follows, distributed the towns and people into three parts.
Casting them down to the ground, i. e. overthrowing their towns, and utterly destroying their people in, manner following.
With two lines measured he to put to death; which severity was necessary for his own and his people’s security, because they were numerous and potent, and bordering upon Canaan, and very vexatious and mischievous to the Israelites. And now that prophecy, Num_24:7, was accomplished.