2 Samuel 8:2

Smote Moab. David had previously enjoyed friendly relations with Moab, the Moabites having provided an asylum for his father and mother while he was a fugitive from Saul (1 Sam. 22:3, 4). The cause of David’s change of attitude toward Moab is not certainly known. There is a Jewish tradition to the effect that the Moabites had proved false to their trust and had slain David’s father and mother. For this there is no verification. It may also be true that in David’s war with the Philistines, Moab was guilty of some treachery, and thus became the object of his next determined attack.

There is no need to assume, as some do, that Moab is mentioned here by mistake for Ammon. Moab’s rebellion under Mesha (2 Kings 1:1; 3:4-27) proves that the country was brought under the dominion of Israel. Apart from this record there is no account of the subjugation of Moab. The argument of silence, however, is in itself not sufficient evidence of the continued servitude of Moab from the time of David to the death of Ahab. There may have been other rebellions and resubjugations during the intervening years.

Casting them down to the ground. Literally, “causing them to lie down on the ground.” It would seem that David forced the Moabites to lie on the ground, and then measured them off with a line into three parts, two of which were put to death and the third was saved alive. The parallel passage (1 Chron. 18:2) makes no mention of this. The reason for such drastic treatment is not given. Perhaps information as to the causes of the war would help to account for the measures.