2 Samuel 8:13

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 8:13

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:13

David gat him a name - Became a very celebrated and eminent man. The Targum has it, David collected troops; namely, to recruit his army when he returned from smiting the Syrians. His many battles had no doubt greatly thinned his army. The valley of salt - Supposed to be a large plain abounding in this mineral, about a league from the city of Palmyra or Tadmor in the wilderness. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:13

From smiting of the Syrians; Hebrew, of Aram. Here "Edom" is certainly right (see 1 Chronicles 18:12 ), unless we accept Keil's conjecture, and suppose that "he smote Edom" has dropped out of the text, and must be inserted. In the superscription of Psalm we find the wars with Aram-Naharaim (Mesopotamia) and Aram-Zobah coupled with this smiting of Edom in the valley of salt, which lay to the south of the Dead Sea, and was a fatal place to the Edomitos in their war subsequently with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:13

Getting a name. "David gat him a name," There appears to have been something special in the campaign against the Syrians (or rather Edomites, 1 Chronicles 18:12 ), and in David's part therein, which rendered his victory peculiarly signal and memorable. Hence he obtained an honourable "name;" his reputation and fame were greatly increased. A large proportion of the names that men have won have been gained in war. But others more honourable have been obtained by the arts and victories of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 8:13

The Syrians - Read the Edomites, as in marginal references (compare Psalms 60:1-12 title), and as the context 2 Samuel 8:14 requires. For a further account of this war of extermination with Edom, see 1 Kings 11:15-16. The war with Edom was of some duration, not without serious reverses and dangers to the Israelites (2 Samuel 8:2 note). The different accounts probably relate to different parts of the campaign. 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 8:13

gat him = made himself. smiting = his smiting. This is David's exploit. In 1 Chronicles 18:3 , 1 Chronicles 18:12 it is Abishai's command, while in title of Psalms 60:0 (Psalms 60:1 ) it is Joab's share in the campaign (1 Kings 11:16 ). eighteen thousand . This is the total. Joab's share was 12,000, and took six months longer. Compare 1 Kings 11:13 , 1 Kings 11:16 . read more

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