II Samuel 8: David's Reign and Victories
And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg–ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
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.
David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
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.
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
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.
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
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:
Which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
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.
And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
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.
And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.
II Samuel 8 details the expansion and consolidation of David's kingdom, showcasing God's faithfulness to His promise of giving David "rest from all [his] enemies" (II Samuel 7:11). This chapter reveals not only David's military prowess but also his wise administration and, importantly, his recognition of God's hand in his success.
Subduing Israel's Enemies (II Samuel 8:1-5)
David's reign was marked by decisive victories over Israel's long-standing adversaries. He began by decisively defeating the Philistines to the west, breaking their power and securing Israel's western border (II Samuel 8:1). Next, he turned his attention southeast, subjugating the Moabites. The severity of the Moabite defeat is noteworthy, with David executing two-thirds of their captured troops before establishing dominion over them (II Samuel 8:2).
David's ambition and kingdom expansion continued northward, where he confronted Hadadezer, the king of Zobah, whose territory lay north of Damascus (II Samuel 8:3). When the Arameans of Damascus intervened to aid Hadadezer, David decisively defeated them, striking down twenty-two thousand Aramean soldiers (II Samuel 8:5).
Establishing Dominion and Recognizing God's Hand (II Samuel 8:6-12)
Following his military victories, David strategically placed garrisons in Aram, effectively establishing control over a region later known as Syria. The Arameans became his subjects, paying tribute to the Israelite king. The key to David's success is explicitly stated: "The LORD made David victorious wherever he went" (II Samuel 8:6). This divine favor was the bedrock of his expanding kingdom.
David accumulated significant plunder from his defeated enemies. He seized gold shields from Hadadezer's officers and vast quantities of bronze from the cities of Betah and Berothai (II Samuel 8:7-8). These treasures were brought back to Jerusalem and added to the royal coffers.
Interestingly, not all kingdoms north of Israel were dismayed by David's conquests. Toi, the king of Hamath, a city-state approximately one hundred miles north of Damascus, had been engaged in numerous wars with Hadadezer. Seeing David's victory over his enemy, Toi sent his son Joram to David with lavish gifts, congratulating him on his triumph (II Samuel 8:9-10). David, in turn, dedicated these spoils and gifts to the Lord (II Samuel 8:11). This reinforces a crucial pattern: God grants victory, and David acknowledges God through dedication. God's gracious provision should inspire our gratefulness and giving, too.
Victory in the South and the Scope of David's Kingdom (II Samuel 8:13-14)
Turning his attention southward, David achieved widespread renown by defeating eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt (II Samuel 8:13). The Edomites, descendants of Esau, had long been bitter enemies of Israel. David subjugated them, ensuring they would not rise against him again. The chapter reiterates the source of David's success: "The LORD made David victorious wherever he went" (II Samuel 8:14). God's might enabled David's army.
By this point, David ruled over a kingdom encompassing territory promised to Abraham in the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 15:18). However, it's crucial to note that this was not the complete fulfillment of that covenant. David did not occupy all the promised land, and Israel's possession was not permanent. The ultimate fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant awaits the return of Jesus Christ, who will rule in His millennial kingdom.
David's Administration and Leadership (II Samuel 8:15-18)
With his kingdom expanding, David established a strong administrative structure to govern his people with justice and righteousness (II Samuel 8:15). Joab served as the commander of the army (II Samuel 8:16). Zadok and Ahimelech, priests from different priestly lines descended from Aaron, oversaw religious affairs (II Samuel 8:17). Ahimelech was from the line of Eli, whose family was cursed because of the sins of Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, and Eli’s failure to restrain them. Samuel had said this family line would come to an end (I Samuel 3:10-14). The line of Zadok, however, would continue on through the end of the Old Testament. Benaiah led the Cherethites and Pelethites, David's elite troops (II Samuel 8:18), and David's sons served as chief officials.
And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg–ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
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.
David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
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.
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
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.
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
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:
Which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
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.
And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
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.
And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.
II Samuel 8 details the expansion and consolidation of David's kingdom, showcasing God's faithfulness to His promise of giving David "rest from all [his] enemies" (II Samuel 7:11). This chapter reveals not only David's military prowess but also his wise administration and, importantly, his recognition of God's hand in his success.
Subduing Israel's Enemies (II Samuel 8:1-5)
David's reign was marked by decisive victories over Israel's long-standing adversaries. He began by decisively defeating the Philistines to the west, breaking their power and securing Israel's western border (II Samuel 8:1). Next, he turned his attention southeast, subjugating the Moabites. The severity of the Moabite defeat is noteworthy, with David executing two-thirds of their captured troops before establishing dominion over them (II Samuel 8:2).
David's ambition and kingdom expansion continued northward, where he confronted Hadadezer, the king of Zobah, whose territory lay north of Damascus (II Samuel 8:3). When the Arameans of Damascus intervened to aid Hadadezer, David decisively defeated them, striking down twenty-two thousand Aramean soldiers (II Samuel 8:5).
Establishing Dominion and Recognizing God's Hand (II Samuel 8:6-12)
Following his military victories, David strategically placed garrisons in Aram, effectively establishing control over a region later known as Syria. The Arameans became his subjects, paying tribute to the Israelite king. The key to David's success is explicitly stated: "The LORD made David victorious wherever he went" (II Samuel 8:6). This divine favor was the bedrock of his expanding kingdom.
David accumulated significant plunder from his defeated enemies. He seized gold shields from Hadadezer's officers and vast quantities of bronze from the cities of Betah and Berothai (II Samuel 8:7-8). These treasures were brought back to Jerusalem and added to the royal coffers.
Interestingly, not all kingdoms north of Israel were dismayed by David's conquests. Toi, the king of Hamath, a city-state approximately one hundred miles north of Damascus, had been engaged in numerous wars with Hadadezer. Seeing David's victory over his enemy, Toi sent his son Joram to David with lavish gifts, congratulating him on his triumph (II Samuel 8:9-10). David, in turn, dedicated these spoils and gifts to the Lord (II Samuel 8:11). This reinforces a crucial pattern: God grants victory, and David acknowledges God through dedication. God's gracious provision should inspire our gratefulness and giving, too.
Victory in the South and the Scope of David's Kingdom (II Samuel 8:13-14)
Turning his attention southward, David achieved widespread renown by defeating eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt (II Samuel 8:13). The Edomites, descendants of Esau, had long been bitter enemies of Israel. David subjugated them, ensuring they would not rise against him again. The chapter reiterates the source of David's success: "The LORD made David victorious wherever he went" (II Samuel 8:14). God's might enabled David's army.
By this point, David ruled over a kingdom encompassing territory promised to Abraham in the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 15:18). However, it's crucial to note that this was not the complete fulfillment of that covenant. David did not occupy all the promised land, and Israel's possession was not permanent. The ultimate fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant awaits the return of Jesus Christ, who will rule in His millennial kingdom.
David's Administration and Leadership (II Samuel 8:15-18)
With his kingdom expanding, David established a strong administrative structure to govern his people with justice and righteousness (II Samuel 8:15). Joab served as the commander of the army (II Samuel 8:16). Zadok and Ahimelech, priests from different priestly lines descended from Aaron, oversaw religious affairs (II Samuel 8:17). Ahimelech was from the line of Eli, whose family was cursed because of the sins of Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, and Eli’s failure to restrain them. Samuel had said this family line would come to an end (I Samuel 3:10-14). The line of Zadok, however, would continue on through the end of the Old Testament. Benaiah led the Cherethites and Pelethites, David's elite troops (II Samuel 8:18), and David's sons served as chief officials.