2 Samuel 8:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

NIV: In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines.

NASB: Now it happened afterward that David defeated the Philistines and subdued them; and David took control of the chief city from the hand of the Philistines.

CSB: After this, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from Philistine control.

NLT: After this, David defeated and subdued the Philistines by conquering Gath, their largest town.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: After this it came to pass that David attacked the Philistines and subdued them. And David took Metheg Ammah from the hand of the Philistines.

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.

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).

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.

Accessed 12/12/2025 4:18:02 PM