2 Samuel 8 - Printer Friendly

What does 2 Samuel 8 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

David relies fully on God, and God promises to bless him. After David brings the ark of the covenant—the symbol of God's presence—to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6), God promises him an eternal kingdom, a prophecy Jesus will fulfill when He rules on David's throne (2 Samuel 7:12–16). God also promises peace for David's kingdom (2 Samuel 7:10–11). Solomon's reign will offer glimpses of this peace, but it begins with David's God-empowered victories over Israel's enemies.

Second Samuel 8 summarizes the early military victories of David's reign. The Israelites expand into the lands God intended for them, and exact tribute and service from their defeated foes.

The Philistines to the west had plagued Israel for years. Twice they attacked David after he became king over a unified Israel. Twice he defeated them (2 Samuel 5:17–25). Now David subdues them completely, taking "Metheg-ammah," an unidentified territory, from their control (2 Samuel 8:1).

Next, David conquers Moab, one of Israel's oldest enemies. Descended from Abraham's nephew Lot, the Moabites live east of the Dead Sea. Israel kills two-thirds of the men, leaving the remaining third to live under Israel's authority and pay tribute (2 Samuel 8:2).

The central section of the chapter focuses on David's defeat of Hadadezer, the king of Zobah, a powerful Aramean kingdom in the region of Syria. David captures thousands of foot soldiers, along with chariot drivers and their horses. David orders all but a hundred of the horses hamstrung. This lets the horses live, and do productive work, but prevents them from being useful in war. Israel also kills many thousands of Syrians when they arrive to try to help their allies from Zobah (2 Samuel 8:3–5).

With the land secure, David stations garrisons in the Aramean territory of Damascus. He takes their golden shields and large quantities of bronze from the cities of Betah and Berothai (2 Samuel 8:6–8).

Hamath welcomes David's victory over Zobah, their long-time enemies. King Toi of Hamath sends his son to Jerusalem with gold, silver, and bronze to seal an alliance. David dedicates these metals to the Lord, along with the plunder from Edom, Moab, Ammon, Amalek, and the Philistines (2 Samuel 8:9–12).

Finally, David defeats the Edomites at the Valley of Salt, where David's army kills many thousands of enemy soldiers. David also establishes Israelite garrisons throughout Edom to maintain control of the trade routes and the territory (2 Samuel 8:13–14).

The chapter concludes with a list of the highest officeholders in Israel at the time. David, the king, administers justice for all the people. Joab commands the army. Jehoshaphat serves as recorder, and Seraiah as secretary. Zadok and Ahimelech are chief priests. Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, leads the Cherethites and Pelethites: non-Israelite mercenaries who serve as David's personal guard. David's sons are advisors (2 Samuel 8:15–18).

First Chronicles 18:1–17 also records these events. In Psalm 60, David used these conflicts to teach others how to call on God before and during battle.

Second Samuel 8:1–8 describes David's defeat of Israel's enemies. Having already beaten the Philistines to the west (2 Samuel 5:17–25), he subdues them. He then fights Moab to the east and Zobah far north, as well as their reinforcements from Syria. The army collects the spoils and builds garrisons while Zobah's enemy pays them tribute. Next, Joab nearly wipes out the Edomites to the southwest (2 Samuel 8:13–14; 1 Kings 11:15–16). David knows God, not the army, is defeating Israel's enemies (Psalm 60). First Chronicles 18:1–8 also records these triumphs.

Second Samuel 8:9–12 records how David gained an ally. His army has crushed the Philistines, killed two-thirds of the Moabites, and conquered Zobah along with its Syrian reinforcements (2 Samuel 8:1–8). King Toi of Hamath is relieved that Israel defeated Zobah. He sends his son Joram to secure a treaty and to offer a tribute of gold, silver, and bronze. David adds these to the plunder from the battles. Finally, he nearly destroys the Edomites and stations garrisons to keep them under control (2 Samuel 8:13–14).

Second Samuel 8:13–14 highlights God's protection of Israel. By God's will, David's forces have conquered Moab, Ammon, Zobah, Amalek, and the Philistines (2 Samuel 8:1–12). For the final blow, Joab and his brother Abishai spend six months killing almost every male in Edom (1 Kings 11:15). David's commanders, state officials, priests, bodyguards, and sons all contribute to Israel's victories (2 Samuel 8:15–18), yet David knows only God can grant such success (Psalm 60).

Second Samuel 8:15–18 lists David's officials. These men have helped lead Israel as they fought their enemies and secured their borders (2 Samuel 8:2–14). They include army commander Joab, priests Zadok and Ahimelech, David's recorder and secretary, and his elite guard. David's sons are called priests, likely meaning special counselors in this context. First Chronicles contains other lists of his warriors and officials (1 Chronicles 11:12–47; 12; 15:1–28; 16:4–7).

Chapter Summary:

In 2 Samuel 8, God protects David's kingdom. God has promised David an eternal, peaceful dynasty (2 Samuel 7:10–12). True peace won't come until Jesus is king, but God still protects His people as David defeats the Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, and Hadadezer's army. David collects spoils, establishes garrisons, and allies with Toi, Hadadezer's grateful enemy. His military, religious, and civil officials contribute greatly to his success. Secure in his reign, David honors Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son and King Saul's grandson, instead of killing him as a rival (2 Samuel 9).

Chapter Context:

Second Samuel 8 recounts David's military victories and names his top officials. After bringing the ark to Jerusalem, David asked to build a temple. Instead, God promised him a lasting dynasty and, ultimately, peace from his enemies (2 Samuel 7). Until then, David's army commanders, administrators, priests, and sons join David's fight against enemy nations from Syria to Edom. Because of David's skill in battle, the new king of Amon will mistake David's kindness for espionage and foolishly provoke the army of Israel to war (2 Samuel 10).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

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