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2 samuel 8:1-15

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2 Samuel 8:1-15

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”

— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

1. And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2. And he smote Moab, 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. And [so] the Moabites became David’s servants, [and] brought gifts. 3. David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. 4. And David took from him a thousand [chariots], and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot [horses], but reserved of them [for] an hundred chariots. 5. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew 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 Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8. And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass. 9. When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host 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 Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13. And David gat [him] a name when he returned from smiting 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. 15. And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

2 Samuel 8:1-15 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Samuel 8:1

Theological / Devotional

Smote the Philistines. After David had been established on the throne he enjoyed a period of peace that was utilized for the organization and upbuilding of his kingdom. Realizing the strength of Israel, the surrounding nations refrained from attack, and David contented himself with affairs within his realm. At length, however, he decided to reduce his enemies to submission so that they would not be in a position to attack whenever the opportunity might present itself. The Philistines were defeated and made tributary, and part of their territory was annexed to Israel.

Metheg-ammah. The meaning of this name is obscure. Some interpret it as “bridle of the mother city,” “bridle” probably being used in the sense of authority. According to the parallel passage, David took “Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines” (1 Chron. 18:1). Gath, the mother city, the metropolis of the Philistines, is thus probably referred to. This important place was now annexed to Israel. Its retention by David would denote the complete subservience of the Philistines to Israel.

By SdaBc

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