2 Samuel Chapter 8
1 After this, David struck the Philistines and subdued them; and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.
2 He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.
3 David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.
4 David took from him one thousand and seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand footmen. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots.
5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck twenty two thousand men of the Syrians.
6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.
7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8 From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took a great quantity of bronze.
9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer,
10 then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze.
11 King David also dedicated these to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued;
12 of Syria, of Moab, of the children of Ammon, of the Philistines, of Amalek, and of the plunder of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13 David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt.
14 He put garrisons in Edom. Throughout all Edom, he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.
15 David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people.
16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder,
17 Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, Seraiah was scribe,
18 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David's sons were chief ministers.
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2 Samuel Chapter 8 Guide
Here we have the record of some of the victories of David, again not necessarily in chronological order. There is, however, a very close relation between this account of them and what had preceded.
The story of the king's successes contains more perhaps than is apparent on the surface. By them he strengthened his position and that of his people; but he also gathered treasure. The house of the Lord was still in his mind, and although he knew he would not be permitted to build, he was still gathering in preparation for the work of his son. The chapter ends with the account of the appointment of certain officers of state, by which the internal consolidation of the kingdom was ensured.
The functions of these officers are interesting. One was appointed to lead the army; another to be recorder, or national historian; two were priests, in all probability exercising their functions at two centres; a fifth was scribe or secretary of state; a sixth became the head of David's special bodyguard, which would seem to have been composed of foreigners. Finally, the sons of David were made priests, or as the A.V. has it, "chief rulers," the reference undoubtedly being to positions of civic, rather than religious, authority.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
2 Samuel Chapter 8 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- David subdues the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Syrians. -- (1-8)
- The spoil dedicated. -- (9-14)
- David's government and officers. -- (15-18)
Verses 1-8
David subdued the Philistines. They had long been troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles the saints have with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son of David shall tread them all under foot, and make the saints more than conquerors. He smote the Moabites, and made them tributaries to Israel. Two parts he destroyed, the third part he spared. The line that was to keep alive, though it was but one, is ordered to be a full line. Let the line of mercy be stretched to the utmost. He smote the Syrians. In all these wars David was protected, for this in his psalms he often gives glory to God.
Verses 9-14
All the precious things David was master of, were dedicated things; they were designed for building the temple. The idols of gold David destroyed, 2Sa 5:21, but the vessels of gold he dedicated. Thus, in the conquest of a soul by the grace of the Son of David, what stands in opposition to God must be destroyed, every lust must be mortified and crucified, but what may glorify him must be dedicated; thus the property of it is altered. God employs his servants in various ways; some, as David, in spiritual battles; others, as Solomon, in spiritual buildings; and one prepares work for the other, that God may have the glory of all.
Verses 15-18
David neither did wrong, nor denied or delayed right to any. This speaks his close application to business; also his readiness to admit all addresses and appeals made to him. He had no respect of persons in judgment. Herein he was a type of Christ. To Him let us submit, his friendship let us seek, his service let us count our pleasure, diligently attending to the work he assigns to each of us. David made his sons chief rulers; but all believers, Christ's spiritual seed, are better preferred, for they are made kings and priests to our God, Re 1:6.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.