2 Samuel 8:16-18

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

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 8:16

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:18

Benaiah - The chief of the second class of David's worthies. We shall meet with him again. The Cherethites and the Pelethites - The former supposed to be those who accompanied David when he fled from Saul; the latter, those who came to him at Ziklag. But the Targum translates these two names thus, the archers and the slingers; and this is by far the most likely. It is not at all probable that David was without a company both of archers and slingers. The bow is celebrated in 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 8:15-18

( 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

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