2 Samuel 8:14-18

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

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 8:14

And he put garrisons in Edom ,.... To keep the inhabitants in subjection to him; as their forts and strong holds came into his hands, he placed companies of soldiers in them for the said purpose; or governors, as the Targum, men of his own nation, into whose hands he put their principal cities, who governed them for him, and under him. Jarchi interprets it of officers appointed to collect the tribute he exacted of them: throughout all Edom put he garrisons ; which is observed to show... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:15

And David reigned over all Israel ,.... Not only over Judah, but over all the tribes of Israel, and over the whole land of Canaan, as promised to Abraham, Genesis 15:18 ; reaching to the river Euphrates, as Syria did, now conquered by David: and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people ; when he returned from his wars, he heard and tried all causes impartially, brought before him, and gave sentence according to the law of God, and administered righteous judgment without... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:17

And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests ,.... Not high priests, as Josephus F9 Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 5.) sect. 4. suggests, for there was only one high priest at a time; indeed there was a "sagan", or deputy priest, on occasion; and so Abarbinel says that Zadok was the high priest, and Ahimelech his second or deputy; but the truth of the case was this, Abiathar was high priest only, and continued so until the time of Solomon, when he was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:18

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and Pelethites ,.... These, according to Josephus F11 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 5. sect.4.) , were the king's bodyguards, and this man is expressly said to be set over his guards, 2 Samuel 23:22 ; and which some think were of the nation of the Philistines, famous for archery, and slinging of stones; and so the Targum renders it,"was appointed over the archers and slingers;'so "choriti" in Virgil F12 Aeneid. 10. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:14

He put garrisons in Edom - He repaired the strong cities which he had taken, and put garrisons in them to keep the country in awe. 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:17

Seraiah - the scribe - Most likely the king's private secretary. See 1 Chronicles 24:3 ; (note). read more

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