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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.
8:2 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.
8:3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
8:4 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.
8:5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
8:6 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.
8:7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8:8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
8:9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer, 8:10 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: 8:11 Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; 8:12 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.
8:13 And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
8:14 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.
8:15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe; 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.


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Everything King James Bible:2 Samuel
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: 2 Samuel
Book: 2 Samuel
Chapter: 8

Overview:
David subdues the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Syrians.
(1-8) The spoil dedicated. (9-14) David's government and
officers. (15-18)

1-8. David subdued the Philistines. They had long been
troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles
the saints have with the powers of Darkness, like Israel with
the Philistines, the Son of David shall tread them all under
foot, and make the saints more than conquerors. He smote the
Moabites, and made them tributaries to Israel. Two parts he
destroyed, the third part he spared. The line that was to keep
alive, though it was but one, is ordered to be a full line. Let
the line of Mercy be stretched to the utmost. He smote the
Syrians. In all these wars David was protected, for this in his
Psalms he often gives Glory to God.

9-14 All the precious things David was master of, were
dedicated things; they were designed for Building the Temple.
The idols of Gold David destroyed, 2Sa 5:21, but the vessels
of Gold he dedicated. Thus, in the conquest of a soul By the
Grace of the Son of David, what stands in opposition to God must
be destroyed, every Lust must be mortified and crucified, but
what may Glorify him must be dedicated; thus the property of it
is altered. God employs his servants in various ways; some, as
David, in spiritual battles; others, as Solomon, in spiritual
buildings; and one prepares work for the other, that God may
have the Glory of all.

15-18 David neither did wrong, nor denied or delayed right to
any. This speaks his close application to business; also his
readiness to admit all addresses and appeals made to him. He had
No respect of persons in Judgment. Herein he was a Type of
Christ. To Him let us submit, his friendship let us seek, his
service let us count our pleasure, diligently attending to the
work he assigns to each of us. David made his sons chief rulers;
but all believers, Christ's spiritual seed, are better
preferred, for they are made Kings and priests to our God, Re
1:6.

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