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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:1-8

God had given David rest from all his enemies that opposed him and made head against him; and he having made a good use of that rest, has now commission given him to make war upon them, and to act offensively for the avenging of Israel's quarrels and the recovery of their rights; for as yet they were not in full possession of that country to which by the promise of God they were entitled. I. He quite subdued the Philistines, 2 Sam. 8:1. They had attacked him when they thought him weak (2 Sam.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:9-14

Here is, 1. The court made to David by the king of Hamath, who, it seems was at this time at war with the king of Zobah. He hearing of David's success against his enemy, sent his own son ambassador to him (2 Sam. 8:9, 10), to congratulate him on his victory, to return him thanks for the favour he had done him in breaking the power of one he was in fear of, and to beg his friendship. Thus he not only secured but strengthened himself. And David lost nothing by taking this little prince under his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:7

And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer ,.... That were found with them, which they had in their hands; these must be supposed to be with the principal officers of his army; or golden chains, as Aquila, or golden bracelets on their arms, as the Septuagint; the Syriac version is "quivers of gold", such as they put arrows into, and so Jarchi and R. Isaiah understand it of such, and refer to Jeremiah 51:11 ; and so Josephus F18 Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 7. c.... read more

John Gill

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

And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer ,.... Which, in 1 Chronicles 18:8 , are called Tibhath and Chun, they having different names; or their names might be changed upon this conquest of them, and the one might be the names they went by with the Syrians, and the other the Israelites called them by; the latter is the same with Berothah in Ezekiel 47:16 ; and the Barathena of Ptolemy F19 Geograph. l. 5. c. 19. , placed by him near Mesopotamia; in the Arabic version of... read more

John Gill

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:7

David took the shields of gold - We know not what these were. Some translate arms, others quivers, others bracelets, others collars, and others shields. They were probably costly ornaments by which the Syrian soldiers were decked and distinguished. And those who are called servants here, were probably the choice troops or body-guard of Hadadezer, as the argyraspides were of Alexander the Great. See Quintus Curtius. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:9

Toi king of Hamath - Hamath is supposed to be the famous city of Emesa, situated on the Orontes, in Syria. This was contiguous to Hadadezer; and led him to wage war with Toi, that he might get possession of his territories. For a comparison of the 10th verse, see 1 Chronicles 18:9 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:1-14

( 1 Chronicles 18:1-13 ). ( JERUSALEM .) David's wars and victories. Summary (3) The Ammonites ( 2 Samuel 8:12 ; 2 Samuel 10:1-19 .). (10) The Edomites, in league with (11) the Amalekites ( 2 Samuel 10:12 ) and others, threatening to render previous victories fruitless, overcome (in a third campaign) by Abishai and by Joab ( 2 Samuel 10:13 , 2 Samuel 10:14 ; 1 Chronicles 18:12 ; 1 Kings 11:15 ; Psalms 60:1-12 ; inscription). "David himself came at the... read more

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