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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:1 - 8:8
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Victories over Various Nations
v. 1. And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines and subdued them, brought them completely into his power. And David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines, literally, "the bridle of the mother," of the chief city, the figurative saying being understood of the complete yielding to the control of another.
v. 2. And he smote Moab, east and southeast of the Dead Sea, and measured them with a 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. It was a very severe punishment which was here meted out to the Moabites, since their soldiers were compelled to lie down on the ground, two thirds of them being measured for death and one-third for life. And so the Moabites, with only a third of their warriors remaining, became David's servants and brought gifts, that is, paid tribute-money.
v. 3. David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, a district of Syria, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates; for Saul had already successfully fought against this nation, 1Sa_14:47. When Hadadezer attempted to recover his shattered power on the Euphrates, David completed the work begun by Saul and brought the entire territory into subjection to him.
v. 4. And David took from him a thousand chariots and seven hundred horsemen (some read seven thousand, 1Ch_18:4) and twenty thousand footmen. And David houghed all the chariot horses, by cutting the sinews of their hind feet, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots, probably to display them in a triumphal procession or for the use of his guard.
v. 5. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succor Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians, or, Arameans, two and twenty thousand men.
v. 6. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus, in the country of the Arameans, whose capital was Damascus, a city still situated in its ancient location on the Pharpar River and on the great caravan route between Central Asia and the Mediterranean: and the Syrians became servants to David, tributary to Israel, and brought gifts. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went; his success was due entirely to the blessing of Jehovah.
v. 7. And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, for the officers of this king could afford such costly weapons, and brought them to Jerusalem, as a part of the rich booty made in this war.
v. 8. And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took exceeding much brass, for it seems that there were very productive copper-mines in this part of Syria. Note: If a believer undertakes his work in the fear of God and to His glory, the Lord will grant His blessing according to His promise.