Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 2 Samuel » Chapter 8 » Verse 1-18

2 Samuel 8:1-18 King James Version (KJV)

1 And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.

5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succor Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

10 Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

11 Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;

12 Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

14 And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.


2 Samuel 8:1-18 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And after H310 this it came to pass, that David H1732 smote H5221 the Philistines, H6430 and subdued H3665 them: and David H1732 took H3947 Methegammah H4965 out of the hand H3027 of the Philistines. H6430

2 And he smote H5221 Moab, H4124 and measured H4058 them with a line, H2256 casting them down H7901 to the ground; H776 even with two H8147 lines H2256 measured H4058 he to put to death, H4191 and with one full H4393 line H2256 to keep alive. H2421 And so the Moabites H4124 became David's H1732 servants, H5650 and brought H5375 gifts. H4503

3 David H1732 smote H5221 also Hadadezer, H1909 the son H1121 of Rehob, H7340 king H4428 of Zobah, H6678 as he went H3212 to recover H7725 his border H3027 at the river H5104 Euphrates. H6578

4 And David H1732 took H3920 from him a thousand H505 chariots, and seven H7651 hundred H3967 horsemen, H6571 and twenty H6242 thousand H505 footmen: H376 H7273 and David H1732 houghed H6131 all the chariot H7393 horses, but reserved H3498 of them for an hundred H3967 chariots. H7393

5 And when the Syrians H758 of Damascus H1834 came H935 to succour H5826 Hadadezer H1909 king H4428 of Zobah, H6678 David H1732 slew H5221 of the Syrians H758 two H8147 and twenty H6242 thousand H505 men. H376

6 Then David H1732 put H7760 garrisons H5333 in Syria H758 of Damascus: H1834 and the Syrians H758 became servants H5650 to David, H1732 and brought H5375 gifts. H4503 And the LORD H3068 preserved H3467 David H1732 whithersoever he went. H1980

7 And David H1732 took H3947 the shields H7982 of gold H2091 that were on the servants H5650 of Hadadezer, H1909 and brought H935 them to Jerusalem. H3389

8 And from Betah, H984 and from Berothai, H1268 cities H5892 of Hadadezer, H1909 king H4428 David H1732 took H3947 exceeding H3966 much H7235 brass. H5178

9 When Toi H8583 king H4428 of Hamath H2574 heard H8085 that David H1732 had smitten H5221 all the host H2428 of Hadadezer, H1909

10 Then Toi H8583 sent H7971 Joram H3141 his son H1121 unto king H4428 David, H1732 to salute H7592 H7965 him, and to bless H1288 him, because he had fought H3898 against Hadadezer, H1909 and smitten H5221 him: for Hadadezer H1909 had wars H376 H4421 with Toi. H8583 And Joram brought with him H3027 vessels H3627 of silver, H3701 and vessels H3627 of gold, H2091 and vessels H3627 of brass: H5178

11 Which also king H4428 David H1732 did dedicate H6942 unto the LORD, H3068 with the silver H3701 and gold H2091 that he had dedicated H6942 of all nations H1471 which he subdued; H3533

12 Of Syria, H758 and of Moab, H4124 and of the children H1121 of Ammon, H5983 and of the Philistines, H6430 and of Amalek, H6002 and of the spoil H7998 of Hadadezer, H1909 son H1121 of Rehob, H7340 king H4428 of Zobah. H6678

13 And David H1732 gat H6213 him a name H8034 when he returned H7725 from smiting H5221 of the Syrians H758 in the valley H1516 of salt, H4417 being eighteen H8083 H6240 thousand H505 men.

14 And he put H7760 garrisons H5333 in Edom; H123 throughout all Edom H123 put H7760 he garrisons, H5333 and all they of Edom H123 became David's H1732 servants. H5650 And the LORD H3068 preserved H3467 David H1732 whithersoever he went. H1980

15 And David H1732 reigned H4427 over all Israel; H3478 and David H1732 executed H6213 judgment H4941 and justice H6666 unto all his people. H5971

16 And Joab H3097 the son H1121 of Zeruiah H6870 was over the host; H6635 and Jehoshaphat H3092 the son H1121 of Ahilud H286 was recorder; H2142

17 And Zadok H6659 the son H1121 of Ahitub, H285 and Ahimelech H288 the son H1121 of Abiathar, H54 were the priests; H3548 and Seraiah H8304 was the scribe; H5608

18 And Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada H3077 was over both the Cherethites H3774 and the Pelethites; H6432 and David's H1732 sons H1121 were chief rulers. H3548


2 Samuel 8:1-18 American Standard (ASV)

1 And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. And the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.

3 David smote also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.

4 And David took from him a thousand and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David hocked all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for a hundred chariots.

5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succor Hadadezer king of Zobah, David smote of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. And Jehovah gave victory to David whithersoever he went.

7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

9 And when Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

10 then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And `Joram' brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

11 These also did king David dedicate unto Jehovah, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued;

12 of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.

14 And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And Jehovah gave victory to David whithersoever he went.

15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness unto all his people.

16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe;

18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada `was over' the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers.


2 Samuel 8:1-18 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And it cometh to pass afterwards that David smiteth the Philistines, and humbleth them, and David taketh the bridle of the metropolis out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smiteth Moab, and measureth them with a line, causing them to lie down on the earth, and he measureth two lines to put to death, and the fulness of the line to keep alive, and the Moabites are to David for servants, bearers of a present.

3 And David smiteth Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, in his going to bring back his power by the River `Euphrates;'

4 and David captureth from him a thousand and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen, and David destroyeth utterly the whole of the charioteers, only he leaveth of them a hundred charioteers.

5 And Aram of Damascus cometh to give help to Hadadezer king of Zobah, and David smiteth of Aram twenty and two thousand men;

6 and David putteth garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and Aram is to David for a servant, bearing a present; and Jehovah saveth David whithersoever he hath gone;

7 and David taketh the shields of gold which were on the servants of Hadadezer, and bringeth them to Jerusalem;

8 and from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, hath king David taken very much brass.

9 And Toi king of Hamath heareth that David hath smitten all the force of Hadadezer,

10 and Toi sendeth Joram his son unto king David to ask of him of welfare, and to bless him, (because that he hath fought against Hadadezer, and smiteth him, for a man of wars `with' Toi had Hadadezer been), and in his hand have been vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass,

11 also them did king David sanctify to Jehovah, with the silver and the gold which he sanctified of all the nations which he subdued:

12 of Aram, and of Moab, and of the Bene-Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob king of Zobah.

13 And David maketh a name in his turning back from his smiting Aram in the valley of Salt -- eighteen thousand;

14 and he putteth in Edom garrisons -- in all Edom he hath put garrisons, and all Edom are servants to David; and Jehovah saveth David whithersoever he hath gone.

15 And David reigneth over all Israel, and David is doing judgment and righteousness to all his people,

16 and Joab son of Zeruiah `is' over the host, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud `is' remembrancer,

17 and Zadok son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech son of Abiathar, `are' priests, and Seraiah `is' scribe,

18 and Benaiah son of Jehoiada `is over' both the Cherethite and the Pelethite, and the sons of David have been ministers.


2 Samuel 8:1-18 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them; and David took the power of the capital out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote the Moabites, and measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. And the Moabites became David's servants, [and] brought gifts.

3 And David smote Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion by the river Euphrates.

4 And David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David houghed all the chariot [horses], but reserved of them [for] a hundred chariots.

5 And the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, and David smote of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men.

6 And David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, [and] brought gifts. And Jehovah preserved David whithersoever he went.

7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much bronze.

9 And Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the forces of Hadadezer;

10 and Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to inquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and smitten him; for Hadadezer was continually at war with Toi. And he brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze.

11 Them also king David dedicated to Jehovah, with the silver and the gold that he had dedicated of all the nations that he had subdued:

12 of the Syrians, and of the Moabites, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of the Amalekites, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 And David made him a name when he returned, after he had smitten the Syrians in the valley of salt, eighteen thousand [men].

14 And he put garrisons in Edom: throughout Edom did he put garrisons; and all they of Edom became servants to David. And Jehovah preserved David whithersoever he went.

15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice to all his people.

16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was chronicler;

17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was scribe;

18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.


2 Samuel 8:1-18 World English Bible (WEB)

1 After this it happened that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.

3 David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.

4 David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots.

5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.

7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the host of Hadadezer,

10 then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. [Joram] brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

11 These also did king David dedicate to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued;

12 of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 David got him a name when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.

14 He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.

15 David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness to all his people.

16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe;

18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was over] the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers.


2 Samuel 8:1-18 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 And it came about after this that David made an attack on the Philistines and overcame them; and David took the authority of the mother-town from the hands of the Philistines.

2 And he overcame the Moabites, and he had them measured with a line when they were stretched out on the earth; marking out two lines for death and one full line for life. So the Moabites became servants to David and gave him offerings.

3 And David overcame Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to make his power seen by the River.

4 And David took from him one thousand, seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand footmen: and David had the leg-muscles of the horses cut, only keeping enough of them for a hundred war-carriages.

5 And when the Aramaeans of Damascus came to the help of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David put to the sword twenty-two thousand of the Aramaeans.

6 And David put armed forces in Aram of Damascus: and the Aramaeans became servants to David and gave him offerings. And the Lord made David overcome wherever he went.

7 And David took their gold body-covers from the servants of Hadadezer and took them to Jerusalem.

8 And from Tebah and Berothai, towns of Hadadezer, King David took a great store of brass.

9 And when Tou, king of Hamath, had news that David had overcome all the army of Hadadezer,

10 He sent his son Hadoram to David, with words of peace and blessing, because he had overcome Hadadezer in the fight, for Hadadezer had wars with Tou; and Hadoram took with him vessels of silver and gold and brass:

11 These King David made holy to the Lord, together with the silver and gold which he had taken from the nations he had overcome--

12 The nations of Edom and Moab, and the children of Ammon and the Philistines and the Amalekites and the goods he had taken from Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 And David got great honour for himself, when he came back, by the destruction of Edom in the valley of Salt, to the number of eighteen thousand men.

14 And he put armed forces in Edom; all through Edom he had armed forces stationed, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord made David overcome wherever he went.

15 And David was king over all Israel, judging and giving right decisions for all his people.

16 And Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the army; and Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, was keeper of the records;

17 And Zadok and Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, were priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

18 And Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were priests.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Samuel 8

Commentary on 2 Samuel 8 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 8

David having sought first the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof, settling the ark as soon as he was himself well settled, we are here told how all other things were added to him. Here is an account,

  • I. Of his conquests. He triumphed,
    • 1. Over the Philistines (v. 1).
    • 2. Over the Moabites (v. 2).
    • 3. Over the king of Zobah (v. 3, 4).
    • 4. Over the Syrians (v. 5-8, 13).
    • 5. Over the Edomites (v. 14).
  • II. Of the presents that were brought him and the wealth he got from the nations he subdued, which he dedicated to God (v. 9-12).
  • III. Of his court, the administration of his government (v. 15), and his chief officers (v. 16-18). This gives us a general idea of the prosperity of David's reign.

2Sa 8:1-8

God had given David rest from all his enemies that opposed him and made head against him; and he having made a good use of that rest, has now commission given him to make war upon them, and to act offensively for the avenging of Israel's quarrels and the recovery of their rights; for as yet they were not in full possession of that country to which by the promise of God they were entitled.

  • I. He quite subdued the Philistines, v. 1. They had attacked him when they thought him weak (ch. 5:17), and went by the worst then; but, when he found himself strong, he attacked them, and made himself master of their country. They had long been vexatious and oppressive to Israel. Saul got no ground against them; but David completed Israel's deliverance out of their hands, which Samson had begun long before, Jdg. 13:5. Metheg-ammah was Gath (the chief and royal city of the Philistines) and the towns belonging to it, among which there was a constant garrison kept by the Philistines on the hill Ammah (2 Sa. 2:24), which was Metheg, a bridle (so it signifies) or curb upon the people of Israel; this David took out of their hand and used it as a curb upon them. Thus, when the strong man is disarmed, the armour wherein he trusted is taken from him, and used against him, Lu. 11:22. And after the long and frequent struggles which the saints have had with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son of David shall tread them all under their feet and make the saints more than conquerors.
  • II. He smote the Moabites, and made them tributaries to Israel, v. 2. He divided the country into three parts, two of which he destroyed, casting down the strong-holds, and putting all to the sword; the third part he spared, to till the ground and be servants to Israel. Dr. Lightfoot says, "He laid them on the ground and measured them with a cord, who should be slain and who should live;' and this is called meting out the valley of Succoth, Ps. 60:6. The Jews say he used this severity with the Moabites because they had slain his parents and brethren, whom he put under the protection of the king of Moab during his exile, 1 Sa. 22:3, 4. He did it in justice, because they had been dangerous enemies to the Israel of God; and in policy, because, if left in their strength, they still would have been so. But observe, Though it was necessary that two-thirds should be cut off, yet the line that was to keep alive, though it was but one, is ordered to be a full line. Be sure to give that length enough; let the line of mercy be stretched to the utmost in favorem vitae-so as to favour life. Acts of indemnity must be construed so as to enlarge the favour. Now Balaam's prophecy was fulfilled, A sceptre shall arise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, to the utmost of which the fatal line extended, Num. 24:17. The Moabites continued tributaries to Israel till after the death of Ahab, 2 Ki. 3:4, 5. Then they rebelled and were never reduced.
  • III. He smote the Syrians or Aramites. Of them there were two distinct kingdoms, as we find them spoken of in the title of the 60th Psalm: Aram Naharaim,-Syria of the rivers, whose head city was Damascus (famed for its rivers, 2 Ki. 5:12), and Aram Zobah, which joined to it, but extended to Euphrates. These were the two northern crowns.
    • 1. David began with the Syrians of Zobah, v. 3, 4. As he went to settle his border at the river Euphrates (for so far the land conveyed by the divine grant to Abraham and his seed did extend, Gen. 15:18), the king of Zobah opposed him, being himself possessed of those countries which belonged to Israel; but David routed his forces, and took his chariots and horsemen. The horsemen are here said to be 700, but 1 Chr. 18:4 they are said to be 7000. If they divided their horse by ten in a company, as it is probable they did, the captains and companies were 700, but the horsemen were 7000. David houghed the horses, cut the sinews of their hams, and so lamed them, and made them unserviceable, at least in war, God having forbidden them to multiply horses, Deu. 17:16. David reserved only 100 chariots out of 1000 for his own use: for he placed his strength not in chariots nor horses, but in the living God (Ps. 20:7), and wrote it from his own observation that a horse is a vain thing for safety, Ps. 33:16, 17.
    • 2. The Syrians of Damascus coming in to the relief of the king of Zobah fell with him. 22,000 were slain in the field, v. 5. So that it was easy for David to make himself master of the country, and garrison it for himself, v. 6. The enemies of God's church, that think to secure themselves, will prove, in the end, to ruin themselves, by their confederacies with each other. Associate yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces, Isa. 8:9.
  • IV. In all these wars,
    • 1. David was protected: The Lord preserved him whithersoever he went. It seems, he went in person, and, in the cause of God and Israel, jeoparded his own life in the high places of the field; but God covered his head in the day of battle, which he often speaks of, in his psalms, to the glory of God.
    • 2. He was enriched. He took the shields of gold which the servants of Hadadezer had in their custody (v. 7) and much brass from several cities of Syria (v. 8), which he was entitled to, not only jure belli-by the uncontrollable right of the longest sword ("Get it, and take it'); but by commission from heaven, and the ancient entail of these countries on the seed of Abraham.

2Sa 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 (v. 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 protection, any more than the old Romans did by the like policy; for the wealth he had from the countries he conquered by way of spoil he had from this by way of present or gratuity: Vessels of silver and gold. Better get by composition than by compulsion.
  • 2. The offering David made to God of the spoils of the nations and all the rich things that were brought him. He dedicated all to the Lord, v. 11, 12. This crowned all his victories, and made them far to out-shine Alexander's or Caesar's, that they sought their own glory, but he aimed at the glory of God. All the precious things he was master of were dedicated things, that is, they were designed for the building of the temple; and a good omen it was of kindness to the Gentiles in the fulness of time, and of the making of God's house a house of prayer for all people, that the temple was built of the spoils and presents of Gentile nations, in allusion to which we find the kings of the earth bringing their glory and honour into the new Jerusalem, Rev. 21:24. Their gods of gold David burnt (2 Sa. 5:21), but their vessels of gold he dedicated. Thus in the conquest of a soul, by the grace of the Son of David, what stands in opposition to God must be destroyed, every lust mortified and crucified, but what may glorify him must be dedicated and the property of it altered. Even the merchandise and the hire must be holiness to the Lord (Isa. 23:18), the gain consecrated to the Lord of the whole earth (Mic. 4:13), and then it is truly our own and that most comfortably.
  • 3. The reputation he got, in a particular manner, by his victory over the Syrians and their allies the Edomites, who acted in conjunction with them, as appears by comparing the title of the 60th Psalm, which was penned on this occasion, with v. 13. He got himself a name for all that conduct and courage which are the praise of a great and distinguished general. Something extraordinary, it is likely, there was in that action, which turned very much to his honour, yet he is careful to transfer the honour to God, as appears by the psalm he penned on this occasion, v. 12. It is through God that we do valiantly.
  • 4. His success against the Edomites. They all became David's servants, v. 14. Now, and not till now, Isaac's blessing was accomplished, by which Jacob was made Esau's Lord (Gen. 27:37-40) and the Edomites continued long tributary to the kings of Judah, as the Moabites were to the kings of Israel, till, in Joram's time, they revolted (2 Chr. 21:8) as Isaac had there foretold that Esau should, in process of time, break the yoke from off his neck. Thus David by his conquests,
    • (1.) Secured peace to his son, that he might have time to build the temple. And,
    • (2.) Procured wealth for his son, that he might have wherewith to build it. God employs his servants variously, some in one employment, others in another, some in the spiritual battles, others in the spiritual buildings; and one prepares work for the other, that God may have the glory of all. All David's victories were typical of the success of the gospel against the kingdom of Satan, in which the Son of David rode forth, conquering and to conquer, and he shall reign till he has brought down all opposing rule, principality, and power: and he has, as David had (v. 2), a line to kill and a line to save; for the same gospel is to some a savour of life unto life, to others a savour of death unto death.

2Sa 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 (v. 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 delayed right to any. This intimates,
    • 1. His industry and close application to business, his easiness of access and readiness to admit all addresses and appeals made to him. All his people, even the meanest, and those too of the meanest tribes, were welcome to his council-board.
    • 2. His impartiality and the equity of his proceedings, in administering justice. He never perverted justice through favour or affection, nor had respect of persons in judgment. Herein he was a type of Christ, who was faithful and true, and who doth in righteousness both judge and make war, Rev. 19:11. See Ps. 72:1, 2.
  • III. He kept good order and good officers in his court. David being the first king that had an established government (for Saul's reign was short and unsettled) he had the modelling of the administration. In Saul's time we read of no other great officer than Abner, that was captain of the host. But David appointed more officers. Here are,
    • 1. Two military officers: Joab that was general of the forces in the field, and Banaiah that was over the Cherethites and Pelethites, who were either the city train-bands (archers and slingers, so the Chaldee), or rather the life-guards, or standing force, that attended the king's person, the pretorian band, the militia. They were ready to do service at home, to assist in the administering of justice, and to preserve the public peace. We find them employed in proclaiming Solomon, 1 Ki. 1:38.
    • 2. Two ecclesiastical officers: Zadok and Ahimelech were priests, that is, they were most employed in the priests' work under Abiathar, the high priest.
    • 3. Two civil officers: one that was recorder, or remembrancer, to put the king in mind of business in its season (he was prime minister of state, yet not entrusted with the custody of the king's conscience, as they say of our lord chancellor, but only of the king's memory; let the king be put in mind of business and he would do it himself); another that was scribe, or secretary of state, that drew up public orders and despatches, and recorded judgments given.
    • 4. David's sons, as they grew up to be fit for business, were made chief rulers; they had places of honour and trust assigned them, in the household, or in the camp, or in the courts of justice, according as their genius led them. They were chief about the king (so it is explained, 1 Chr. 18:17), employed near him, that they might be under his eye. Our Lord Jesus has appointed officers in his kingdom, for his honour and the good of the community; when he ascended on high he gave these gifts (Eph. 4:8-11), to every man his work, Mk. 13:34. David made his sons chief rulers; but all believers, Christ's spiritual seed, are better preferred, for they are made to our God kings and priests, Rev. 1:6.