2 Samuel 8:9-18

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 8:9

When Toi king of Hamath ,.... Which was another small kingdom in Syria, perhaps lately erected to defend themselves against Hadadezer, and this the first king of it, at least the first we hear of; his name is Tou in 1 Chronicles 18:9 ; where in the Targum he is called king of Antioch. Hamath lay to the north of the land of Canaan; See Gill on Numbers 34:8 , it is said F20 Cartwright's Preacher's Travels, p. 6. to be three days' journey from Tripoli, and that it stands in the midway... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:10

Then Toi sent Joram his son unto King David ,.... Who is called Hadoram in 1 Chronicles 18:10 ; though the Syriac and Arabic versions read Joram there: to salute him : to inquire of his welfare after his fatigue in the battles he had had with the Moabites and Syrians, and to wish him all happiness and prosperity for the future: and to bless him ; to congratulate him on his victory, and to wish him success in all after wars he might be engaged in; and particularly to give him thanks... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:11

Which also King David did dedicate unto the Lord ,.... He devoted it to sacred uses, particularly to the building of the house of the Lord, as he also had the gold and the brass he took from Hadadezer: together with the silver and the gold he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued ; who are after particularly mentioned; he did not convert the spoils he took to his own use, but observed the law God gave to the kings of Israel, that they should not greatly multiply to themselves... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:12

Of Syria ,.... Of Syria of Damascus, as distinct from Syriazobah, Hadadezer was king of, after mentioned; this is omitted in 1 Chronicles 18:11 , and of Moab : who brought him gifts and presents, and were tributaries to him, 2 Samuel 8:2 , and of the children of Ammon ; who very probably joined the Moabites, and were conquered and spoiled at the same time: and of the Philistines ; when Methegammah was taken from them, 2 Samuel 8:1 , and of Amalek ; for though we have no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 8:13

And David gat him a name ,.... Fame and reputation in the several nations of the world for valour and courage, for the many and signal victories that he obtained; the Jewish writers generally refer this to his humanity in burying the dead bodies of his enemies slain in war, which gained him great esteem among all, and even his very enemies; but nothing of that kind is pointed at here, but his conquests: or "he made himself a name"; erected a triumphal arch F2 So Hieron. Trad. Heb. in 2... 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

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