2 Samuel 8:12

Of Syria. The LXX, the Syriac, and several MSS of the Hebrew have “Edom.” Also the otherwise identical list of these nations given in 1 Chron. 18:11, has “Edom” instead of “Syria.” Both nations were actually conquered by David. The two names, Syria (’ aram ) and Edom (’edom) differ only by one letter in consonantal Hebrew. Where the word for Syria has an r the word for Edom has a d. The two letters look so nearly alike that they are frequently confused. For example, Hadadezer (2 Sam. 8:10) is written Hadarezer in 2 Sam. 10:16, 19. For the forms of the Hebrew d and r see p. 14.

Of Ammon. Since ch. 10 tells of trouble with Ammon after apparently unbroken friendliness from the time of David’s early days, some commentators conclude that the present verse lists all the nations whose spoils David dedicated, throughout his reign, including the nations attacked in the wars of ch. 10.

Amalek. This is the only reference to a war with Amalek after David became king. Saul had gained a great victory over Amalek (1 Sam. 15), and afterward David, as a fugitive, smote certain bands of the Amalekites (1 Sam. 30).