2 Samuel 8:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer,

NIV: When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,

NASB: Now when Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer,

CSB: When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,

NLT: When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had destroyed the entire army of Hadadezer,

KJV: When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

NKJV: When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer,

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).

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 1/7/2026 12:38:07 AM