2 Samuel 8:18 NIV

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 8:18

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 8:18

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 8:18

The Cherethites and the Pelethites. As we have already seen ( 1 Samuel 30:14 ), the Cherethim were an insignificant tribe inhabiting the southern part of the country of the Philistines. Nor is that place the only proof of this fact; for they are connected with the Philistines also in Ezekiel 25:16 and Zephaniah 2:5 . David made their acquaintance when at Ziklag; and probably the Pelethim dwelt in the same neighbourhood, and were a still more unimportant clan or family. Much ingenuity... 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 8:18

2 Samuel 8:18. Benaiah, &c. Benaiah was one of David’s three worthies of the second order; eminent for many great exploits, of which three only are recounted by the sacred historian. Was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites These were undoubtedly soldiers of some kind, and even such as were eminent for their valour and fidelity to the king, as is evident from 2 Samuel 15:18; 2 Samuel 20:7; and 1 Kings 1:38; 1 Kings 1:44; yet they were not common soldiers, but probably 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 8:18

Benaiah . Compare 2 Samuel 23:20 . Cherethites . . . Pelethites . David's body-guard. Here ends the prosperous part of David's reign. read more

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:15-18

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:18

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

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 8:18

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:1-18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 8:18

Group of Brands