2 Samuel 8:2

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 8:2

And he smote Moab ,.... He next went against that, and invaded it, the people of it being always troublesome and distressing to the children of Israel; and though the king of it had shown some favour to David, yet it was when he considered him as an enemy to Saul, and Saul to him; but things having taken a different turn, his and his people's enmity against David and his people appeared; wherefore he went and fought them, and made them his subjects, whereby was fulfilled the prophecy of... 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

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 8:2

He smote Moab. In the previous history we find David and Moab on such friendly terms that he entrusted his father and mother into their king's keeping ( 1 Samuel 22:3 , 1 Samuel 22:4 ). Now he not only subjugates them, but puts two-thirds or, according to the ancient versions, half of the captured combatants to death. Compared with the custom of the Romans, and with the attempt to destroy all the males in Edom, this was mild treatment; for we find Caesar in his Gallic wars putting all... read more

Albert Barnes

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

David took great numbers of the Moabites prisoners of war, and made them lie down on the ground, and then divided them by a measuring line into three parts, putting two-thirds to death, and saving alive one-third. The cause of the war with the Moabites, who had been very friendly with David 1 Samuel 22:3-4, and of this severe treatment, is not known. But it seems likely, from the tone of Psalms 60:1-12 that David had met with some temporary reverse in his Syrian wars, and that the Moabites and... read more

Joseph Benson

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

2 Samuel 8:2. He smote Moab For although the king of Moab, out of hatred to Saul, gave protection to David’s parents, 1 Samuel 22:3-4; yet the Moabites were perpetual and sworn enemies to the Israelites, who therefore were forbidden to admit them into the congregation of the Lord. God indeed commanded the Israelites, in their march to Canaan, to spare the Moabites for the sake of their progenitor Lot, but afterward they became such fierce enemies to him and his people, that he was... 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 8:2

smote Moab . Thus fulfilling Numbers 24:17 . measured = allotted, or divided by lot. See note on "line", below: i.e. David divided into two companies those who were to be spared and those who were not. them = the territory. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for their territory. line. Line, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for dividing or allotting what was measured with it. Deuteronomy 3:4 , Deuteronomy 3:13 (region); 2Sa 32:8 , 2Sa 32:9 . Joshua... read more

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