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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:15-18

David was not so engaged in his wars abroad as to neglect the administration of the government at home. I. His care extended itself to all the parts of his dominion: He reigned over all Israel (2 Sam. 8:15); not only he had a right to reign over all the tribes, but he did so; they were all safe under his protection, and shared in the fruits of his good government. II. He did justice with an unbiased unshaken hand: He executed judgment unto all his people, neither did wrong nor denied or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:16

And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host ,.... Which was not only owing to his relation to David, being his sister's son, but to his promise that whoever smote the Jebusites first should be chief and captain; that is, should have the command of the army under him; this Joab did; and so was entitled to this office, and was put into it, and continued in it, 1 Chronicles 11:6 , and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder ; of memorable events, who kept a diary of whatsoever... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:16

Joab - was over the host - General and commander-in-chief over all the army. Ahilud - recorder - מזכיר mazkir , remembrancer; one who kept a strict journal of all the proceedings of the king and operations of his army; a chronicler. Or, remembrancer , or, writer of chronicles . 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 8:15-18

( 1 Chronicles 18:14-17 ). ( JERUSALEM .) David's administration. From the wars and victories of David we turn to contemplate his administration of the internal affairs of the kingdom. By his skill and energy, united with the services of many eminent men, and aided by the favour of Heaven, he raised the nation, in an incredibly short period, to a position of extraordinary power and glory. "More than Charlemagne did for Europe, or Alfred for England, David accomplished for the tribes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:16

Joab … was over the host. Twice in this book we have lists of David's chief officers—here and at the end of 2 Samuel 20:1-26 . The present lint belongs to the period of David's greatest prosperity, when all went well with him in peace and war, and when Jehovah had elevated him to the unique rank of Messianic king—a distinction which belonged to him personally, and was inherited by none of his successors. Between it and the second list there lies a tragic tale of sin and shame, of crime and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 8:16-18

For a similar account of the officers of Solomon’s kingdom, see 1 Kings 4:1-6, where Jehoshaphat is still the recorder, and Benaiah is advanced to be captain of the host in the room of Joab. The recorder seems to have been a high officer of state, a kind of chancellor, whose office was to keep a record of the events of the kingdom for the king’s information, and hence, he would naturally be the king’s adviser. See Esther 6:1-2; Isaiah 36:22; 2 Chronicles 34:8. Such an officer is found among the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 8:16

2 Samuel 8:16 . Jehoshaphat was recorder That is, the remembrancer, or writer of chronicles, as is generally thought; “an employment,” says Dr. Delaney, “of no mean estimation in the eastern world, where it was customary with kings to keep daily registers of all the transactions of their reigns; and a trust which, whosoever discharged to purpose, must be let into the true springs and secrets of action; and, consequently, must be received into the utmost confidence.” Some, however,... 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

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