2 Samuel 8:1

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:1

And after this it came to pass ,.... After David had rest from his enemies for a time, and after the conversation he had had with Nathan about building the house of God, and after the message sent to him from the Lord by that prophet, forbidding him to build, and David's prayer to the Lord upon it, the following events happened; and which are recorded to show that David's rest from his enemies did not last long, and that he had other work to do than to build the house of God: that David... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:1

EXPOSITION David smote the Philistines. In the previous chapter we have seen that the empire of David not only marked an era in the development of Israel nationally, but was also the reaching of a new stage in the preparation for the advent of the Messiah; and we saw that without this the development of prophecy would have been impossible, and the people have remained unfit for the high mission to which they were called as the witnesses to the unity of Cod. We have in this chapter a... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:1-18

The historic mirror. The narrative relates a succession of victories and conquests over the Philistines, the Moabites, the Zobahites, the Syrians, the Ammonites, the Amalekites, and the Edomites; the placing of garrisons in Syria and Edom; the voluntary recognition of David's supremacy by the King of Hamath; the military, ecclesiastical, and civil appointments of the kingdom; the dedication of treasure won in conquest and diplomacy to the service of God; the maintenance of a righteous... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 8:1

Metheg-ammah must be the name of some stronghold which commanded Gath, and the taking of which made David master of Gath and her towns. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 8:1

2 Samuel 8:1. David smote the Philistines, and subdued them In the beginning of his reign they had invaded Israel twice, and were successfully repulsed. But now David invaded their country, made a conquest of it, and brought it under subjection to the Israelites. David took Metheg-ammah That is, Gath and her towns, as it is expressed in the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 18:1, which are called Metheg-ammah, or the bridle of Ammah, because Gath was situate in the mountain of Ammah; and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:1-18

Click image for full-size versionDavid’s military victories (8:1-18)To emphasize that God was strengthening the royal house of David according to his promise, the writer gives a summary of David’s military victories. David conquered the Philistines and the Moabites (8:1-2; 1 Chronicles 18:1-2), then expanded north across the Syrian (Aramean) state of Zobah and even took control of the central Syrian province based on Damascus (3-8).Another Syrian state, Hamath, submitted to David without a... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 8:1

subdued . While David was victorious over enemies without, he was defeated by enemies within. See 2 Samuel 11:0 and 2 Samuel 12:0 . Metheg-ammah . 1 Chronicles 18:1 gives us the meaning, and shows that Metheg = bridle or reins, is put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for power or government, and Ammah = mother-city: i, e. "Gath and her daughters (i.e. towns)" (1 Chronicles 18:1 ). read more

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