2 Samuel 8:1-14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:9

When Toi king of Hamath ,.... Which was another small kingdom in Syria, perhaps lately erected to defend themselves against Hadadezer, and this the first king of it, at least the first we hear of; his name is Tou in 1 Chronicles 18:9 ; where in the Targum he is called king of Antioch. Hamath lay to the north of the land of Canaan; See Gill on Numbers 34:8 , it is said F20 Cartwright's Preacher's Travels, p. 6. to be three days' journey from Tripoli, and that it stands in the midway... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:10

Then Toi sent Joram his son unto King David ,.... Who is called Hadoram in 1 Chronicles 18:10 ; though the Syriac and Arabic versions read Joram there: to salute him : to inquire of his welfare after his fatigue in the battles he had had with the Moabites and Syrians, and to wish him all happiness and prosperity for the future: and to bless him ; to congratulate him on his victory, and to wish him success in all after wars he might be engaged in; and particularly to give him thanks... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:11

Which also King David did dedicate unto the Lord ,.... He devoted it to sacred uses, particularly to the building of the house of the Lord, as he also had the gold and the brass he took from Hadadezer: together with the silver and the gold he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued ; who are after particularly mentioned; he did not convert the spoils he took to his own use, but observed the law God gave to the kings of Israel, that they should not greatly multiply to themselves... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:12

Of Syria ,.... Of Syria of Damascus, as distinct from Syriazobah, Hadadezer was king of, after mentioned; this is omitted in 1 Chronicles 18:11 , and of Moab : who brought him gifts and presents, and were tributaries to him, 2 Samuel 8:2 , and of the children of Ammon ; who very probably joined the Moabites, and were conquered and spoiled at the same time: and of the Philistines ; when Methegammah was taken from them, 2 Samuel 8:1 , and of Amalek ; for though we have no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:13

And David gat him a name ,.... Fame and reputation in the several nations of the world for valour and courage, for the many and signal victories that he obtained; the Jewish writers generally refer this to his humanity in burying the dead bodies of his enemies slain in war, which gained him great esteem among all, and even his very enemies; but nothing of that kind is pointed at here, but his conquests: or "he made himself a name"; erected a triumphal arch F2 So Hieron. Trad. Heb. in 2... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:14

And he put garrisons in Edom ,.... To keep the inhabitants in subjection to him; as their forts and strong holds came into his hands, he placed companies of soldiers in them for the said purpose; or governors, as the Targum, men of his own nation, into whose hands he put their principal cities, who governed them for him, and under him. Jarchi interprets it of officers appointed to collect the tribute he exacted of them: throughout all Edom put he garrisons ; which is observed to show... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:1

David took Metheg-ammah - This is variously translated. The Vulgate has, Tulit David fraenum tributi , David removed the bondage of the tribute, which the Israelites paid to the Philistines. Some think it means a fortress, city, or strong town; but no such place as Metheg-ammah is known. Probably the Vulgate is nearest the truth. The versions are all different. See the following comparison of the principal passages here collated with the parallel place in 1 Chr: - 2 Samuel 1... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:2

And measured them with a line - even with two lines - It has been generally conjectured that David, after he had conquered Moab, consigned two-thirds of the inhabitants to the sword; but I think the text will bear a meaning much more reputable to that king. The first clause of the verse seems to determine the sense; he measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground - to put to death, and with one line to keep alive. Death seems here to be referred to the cities by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:3

David smote - Hadadezer - He is supposed to have been king of all Syria, except Phoenicia; and, wishing to extend his dominions to the Euphrates, invaded a part of David's dominions which lay contiguous to it; but being attacked by David, he was totally routed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:4

A thousand chariots - It is strange that there were a thousand chariots, and only seven hundred horsemen taken, and twenty thousand foot. But as the discomfiture appears complete, we may suppose that the chariots, being less manageable, might be more easily taken, while the horsemen might, in general, make their escape. The infantry also seem to have been surrounded, when twenty thousand of them were taken prisoners. David houghed all the chariot horses - If he did so, it... read more

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