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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 8:17

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

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

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 8:17

Zadok … and Ahimelech … were the priests. We have already seen that this was contrary to the letter of the Mosaic Law, and yet that there was no schism, and that by patience matters came back to the right groove. Zadok, of the elder line of Eleazar ( 1 Chronicles 6:4-8 , 1 Chronicles 6:50-53 ), was high priest at Gibeon, and Ahimelech, of the junior line of Ithamar, was the high priest at Jerusalem. Instead of Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, the Syriac transposes the names, and reads,... 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 8:17

2 Samuel 8:17. Zadok and Ahimelech were the priests That is, as some think, Zadok was the high-priest, and Ahimelech his sagan or vicar; or, according to others, neither of these was the high-priest, but they were both only the vicars of Abiathar, and heads of the sacerdotal families, the second priests, to use the language of Scripture, 2 Kings 25:18. The former was of the family of Eleazar, (1 Chronicles 6:8,) the other of Ithamar. The family of Eli was now declining fast; and in the... 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 8:17

Zadok . Probably served at Gibeon. Compare 1 Chronicles 18:16 . Ahimelech the son of Abiathar . Named after his grandfather (1 Samuel 21:1 ; 2 Samuel 22:9 , 2 Samuel 22:16 ). Abiathar . Probably served at Jerusalem. the scribe. The first occurrence of this title. Hebrew. sophir, a counter. Individual soribes held high positions as associates of the High Priests, and of the commanderin-chief. They were amanuenses, registrars, accountants (2 Kings 12:10 ); adjutants (2 Kings 25:19 );... read more

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