View 2nd Samuel 8 in the note window.
David subdues the Philistines and Moabites, ver. 1 - 2.
Smites Hadadezer, and the Syrians, ver. 3 - 8.
Dedicates the presents he had received and the spoils to God,
ver. 9 - 12.
Conquers the Syrians again, and the Edomites, ver. 13, 14.
His administration of justice and chief officers, ver. 15 - 18,
1: And David took - Gath and her towns, as it is expressed in the
parallel place, (1Ch 18:1).
Which are called Metheg - ammah, or the bridle of Ammah, Gath was
situate in the mountain of Ammah; and because this being the chief city
of the Philistines, and having a king, which none of the rest had, was
the bridle which had hitherto kept the Israelites in subjection.
2: Moab - For although the king of Moab, out of hatred to
Saul, gave protection to his parents, (1Sa 22:3,4), yet the
Moabites were perpetual and sworn enemies to the Israelites, who
therefore were forbidden to admit them into the congregation of the
Lord. And though God commanded them in their march to Canaan, to
spare the Moabites, yet afterwards they proved fierce enemies to God and
his people, and thereby provoked God to alter his carriage towards them.
Measured them - That is, having conquered the land, he made an estimate of
it, and distributed the towns and people into three parts.
Casting down - Overthrowing their towns, and utterly destroying their
people in manner following. And now that prophecy, (Nu 24:17), was
accomplished.
3: As he went - David, remembering the grant which God had made
to his people of all the land as far as Euphrates, and having subdued
his neighbouring enemies, went to recover his rights, and stablish his
dominion as far as Euphrates.
4: Seven hundred - Or, seven hundred companies of horsemen,
that is, in all seven thousand; as it is (1Ch 18:4), there being
ten in each company, and each ten having a ruler or captain. Houghed -
- That is, cut the sinews of their legs, that they might be useless for war.
5: Of Damascus - That is, who were subject to Damascus,
the chief city of Syria.
7: On the servants - Or rather, which were with the servants,
that is, committed to their custody, as being kept in the king's armoury:
for it is not probable they carried them into the field.
8: From Betah, &c. - In (1Ch 18:8), it is,
from Tibhath, and from Chun. Either therefore the same cities were
called by several names, as is usual, the one by the Hebrews, the other
by the Syrians, or those were two other cities, and so the brass was
taken out of these four cities.
14: The Lord preserved, &c. - All David's victories were typical
of the success of the gospel over the kingdom of Satan, in which the Son of
David rode forth, conquering and to conquer, and will reign 'till he
has brought down all opposing rule, principality and power.
16: Recorder - The treasurer, who examined all the accounts,
and kept records of them.
17: Scribe - Or, secretary of state.
18: Cherethites, &c. - The Cherethites and Pelethites were
undoubtedly soldiers, and such as were eminent for their valour and
fidelity. Most probable they were the king's guards, which consisted of
these two bands, who might be distinguished either by their several weapons,
or by the differing time or manner of their service. They are supposed to
be thus called either, first, from their office, which was upon the king's
command to cut off or punish offenders, and to preserve the king's person,
as their names in the Hebrew tongue may seem to imply. Or, secondly,
from some country, or place to which they had relation. As for the
Cherithites, it is certain they were ether a branch of the
Philistines, or a people neighbouring to them, and so might the
Pelethites be too, though that be not related in scripture. And
these Israelites and soldiers of David might be so called, either
because they went and lived with David when he dwelt in those parts or,
for some notable exploit against, or victory over these people.
