2 Samuel 8:1-18

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 8:1

David took Metheg-ammah - This is variously translated. The Vulgate has, Tulit David fraenum tributi , David removed the bondage of the tribute, which the Israelites paid to the Philistines. Some think it means a fortress, city, or strong town; but no such place as Metheg-ammah is known. Probably the Vulgate is nearest the truth. The versions are all different. See the following comparison of the principal passages here collated with the parallel place in 1 Chr: - 2 Samuel 1... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:3

David smote - Hadadezer - He is supposed to have been king of all Syria, except Phoenicia; and, wishing to extend his dominions to the Euphrates, invaded a part of David's dominions which lay contiguous to it; but being attacked by David, he was totally routed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:4

A thousand chariots - It is strange that there were a thousand chariots, and only seven hundred horsemen taken, and twenty thousand foot. But as the discomfiture appears complete, we may suppose that the chariots, being less manageable, might be more easily taken, while the horsemen might, in general, make their escape. The infantry also seem to have been surrounded, when twenty thousand of them were taken prisoners. David houghed all the chariot horses - If he did so, it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:6

Brought gifts - Paid tribute. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:7

David took the shields of gold - We know not what these were. Some translate arms, others quivers, others bracelets, others collars, and others shields. They were probably costly ornaments by which the Syrian soldiers were decked and distinguished. And those who are called servants here, were probably the choice troops or body-guard of Hadadezer, as the argyraspides were of Alexander the Great. See Quintus Curtius. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:9

Toi king of Hamath - Hamath is supposed to be the famous city of Emesa, situated on the Orontes, in Syria. This was contiguous to Hadadezer; and led him to wage war with Toi, that he might get possession of his territories. For a comparison of the 10th verse, see 1 Chronicles 18:9 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 8:13

David gat him a name - Became a very celebrated and eminent man. The Targum has it, David collected troops; namely, to recruit his army when he returned from smiting the Syrians. His many battles had no doubt greatly thinned his army. The valley of salt - Supposed to be a large plain abounding in this mineral, about a league from the city of Palmyra or Tadmor in the wilderness. 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

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