2 Samuel 8

King James Version

Full text for 2 Samuel Chapter 8

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.

2And 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.

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

4And 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.

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

6Then 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.

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

8And 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,

10Then 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:

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

12Of 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.

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

14And 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.

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

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

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

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King David achieved significant military victories, subduing the Philistines, Moabites, and Syrians from Zobah and Damascus. These conquests expanded his dominion, brought tribute, and established his reputation. He dedicated the spoils of war to the LORD and solidified his reign by establishing a just administration and appointing key officers.

Medium Summary

Chapter 8 details King David's extensive military campaigns and the consolidation of his kingdom. He first subdued the Philistines and then decisively defeated Moab, making them his servants. David also engaged Hadadezer, king of Zobah, near the Euphrates, capturing vast resources and defeating his Syrian allies from Damascus. These victories resulted in tribute from numerous nations, including Moab, Syria, and Edom, all of whom became David's servants. Notably, David dedicated much of the silver and gold spoils from these conquests to the LORD. Throughout these endeavors, the text emphasizes that the LORD preserved David wherever he went. The chapter concludes by highlighting David's just rule over all Israel and listing his principal administrative and military officers.

Long Summary

Second Samuel chapter 8 chronicles King David's widespread military successes and the subsequent expansion and organization of his kingdom. David initiated his campaigns by subduing the Philistines, taking Methegammah from them. He then moved against Moab, measuring them with a line, executing two-thirds of the population and sparing one-third, thereby making them his servants who brought gifts. A major conflict ensued with Hadadezer, king of Zobah, whom David smote as Hadadezer sought to recover his border near the river Euphrates. From Hadadezer, David captured a thousand chariots, seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen, houghing most of the chariot horses but reserving one hundred. When the Syrians of Damascus came to aid Hadadezer, David slew twenty-two thousand of them, establishing garrisons in Damascus and making them his servants, who also brought gifts. The narrative explicitly states that the LORD preserved David wherever he went. David acquired gold shields and much brass from Hadadezer's cities. Hearing of David's victory over Hadadezer, Toi, king of Hamath, sent his son Joram with gifts of silver, gold, and brass to salute and bless David, as Hadadezer had been Toi's adversary. King David dedicated all the silver and gold spoils from these subdued nations—including Syria, Moab, Ammon, the Philistines, Amalek, and Hadadezer—unto the LORD. David further gained renown by smiting eighteen thousand Syrians in the valley of salt and subsequently put garrisons throughout Edom, making them his servants. The chapter concludes by affirming David's just reign over all Israel, where he executed judgment and justice for his people, and lists his key officials: Joab as commander of the host, Jehoshaphat as recorder, Zadok and Ahimelech as priests, Seraiah as scribe, Benaiah over the Cherethites and Pelethites, and David's sons as chief rulers.

Core Concepts

  • David's Military DominanceDavid engaged in a series of successful military campaigns, subduing powerful nations like the Philistines, Moabites, and Syrians, demonstrating his strategic prowess and the strength of his army.
  • Subjugation of Neighboring NationsThrough conquest, David brought various surrounding peoples, including Moab, Syria of Damascus, and Edom, under his control, making them his servants and compelling them to bring tribute.
  • Dedication of Spoils to the LORDA significant aspect of David's victories was his practice of dedicating the vast amounts of silver, gold, and other treasures captured from subdued nations unto the LORD, acknowledging divine providence.
  • Divine Preservation of DavidThe text repeatedly emphasizes that "the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went," attributing his consistent success and safety in battle to divine protection.
  • Establishment of David's AdministrationFollowing his military conquests, David established a stable and just government over all Israel, appointing key officials such as Joab, Jehoshaphat, Zadok, and Benaiah to manage the kingdom's affairs.
  • Tribute and GiftsAs a result of his military victories, numerous nations, including Moab, Syria, and Hamath, brought gifts and tribute to David, signifying their submission or alliance.
  • Strategic Resource AcquisitionDavid acquired significant resources from his conquests, including chariots, horses, gold shields, and vast quantities of brass, which contributed to the wealth and strength of his kingdom.