---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "subdued . While David was victorious over enemies without, he was defeated by enemies within. See 2 Samuel 11:0 and 2 Samuel 12:0 .  Metheg-ammah . 1 Chr"
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url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/2-samuel/8"
---

**subdued** . While David was victorious over enemies without, he was defeated by enemies within. See [2 Samuel 11](../../../kjv/2-samuel/11) and [2 Samuel 12](../../../kjv/2-samuel/12) .
**Metheg-ammah** . [1 Chronicles 18:1](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/1) gives us the meaning, and shows that Metheg = bridle or reins, is put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Cause), App-6 , for power or government, and Ammah = mother-city: i, e. "Gath and her daughters (i.e. towns)" ([1 Chronicles 18:1](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/1) ).

**smote Moab** . Thus fulfilling [Numbers 24:17](../../../kjv/numbers/24/17) .
**measured** = allotted, or divided by lot. See note on "line", below: i.e. David divided into two companies those who were to be spared and those who were not.
**them** = the territory. Put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Subject), App-6 , for their territory. line. Line, put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Cause), App-6 , for dividing or allotting what was measured with it. [Deuteronomy 3:4](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/3/4) , [Deuteronomy 3:13](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/3/13) (region); 2Sa 32:8 , 2Sa 32:9 . [Joshua 17:6](../../../kjv/joshua/17/6) , [Joshua 17:14](../../../kjv/joshua/17/14) .[Psalms 19:4](../../../kjv/psalms/19/4) .[Amos 7:17](../../../kjv/amos/7/17) . [Micah 2:5](../../../kjv/micah/2/5) . [2 Corinthians 10:16](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/10/16) .
**casting them** = casting down the cities. See note on "them", above, and compare [1 Chronicles 18:2](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/2) = " made them his servants", or vassals.
**to put to death** . These were soldiers in arms, not inhabitants.

**Hadadezer** . Some codices, with four early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "Hadadezer" (compare [1 Chronicles 18:3](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/3) , [1 Chronicles 18:5](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/5) ). Some divide and make it two words.
**Zobah** . See [Psalms 60:1](../../../kjv/psalms/60/1) , and compare [1 Samuel 14:47](../../../kjv/1-samuel/14/47) .
**recover** . Hebrew cause his hand to cover: "hand "put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Cause), App-6 , for possessing.
**border** = boundary. [1 Chronicles 18:2](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/2) , "establish his dominion there".
**Euphrates** . Compare [1 Chronicles 18:3](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/3) and [Genesis 15:18](../../../kjv/genesis/15/18) .

**seven hundred** . = 1Ch 18:47 ; [1 Chronicles 18](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18) ; but Hebrew f = 7 and J = 700 are easily mistaken one for the other. See note on [1 Kings 4:26](../../../kjv/1-kings/4/26) . [f and J represent Hebrew characters]

**men** . Hebrew. *'ish.* App-14 .

**gifts** : i.e. tribute.
**the LORD** . Hebrew. *Jehovah* . App-4 .

**shields** . Septuagint reads "bracelets".

**Toi** . Septuagint and Vulgate read "Tou" throughout. Compare [1 Chronicles 18:9](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/9) . He was a Hittite king.

**Joram** . Septuagint reads "Hadoram". Compare [1 Chronicles 18:10](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/10) .
**had wars with.** Hebrew = " was a man ('ish, App-14 ) of wars with. "
**with him** . Hebrew in his hand.

**Syria** . Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "Edom"
**and** . Note the Figure of speech *Polysyndeton.* App-6 .
**children** = sons.
**Amalek** . See note on [Exodus 17:16](../../../kjv/exodus/17/16) .

**gat him** = made himself.
**smiting** = his smiting. This is David's exploit. In [1 Chronicles 18:3](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/3) , [1 Chronicles 18:12](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/12) it is Abishai's command, while in title of [Psalms 60](../../../kjv/psalms/60) ([Psalms 60:1](../../../kjv/psalms/60/1) ) it is Joab's share in the campaign ([1 Kings 11:16](../../../kjv/1-kings/11/16) ).
**eighteen thousand** . This is the total. Joab's share was 12,000, and took six months longer. Compare [1 Kings 11:13](../../../kjv/1-kings/11/13) , [1 Kings 11:16](../../../kjv/1-kings/11/16) .

**garrisons** , or political residents.

**recorder** = remembrancer.

**Zadok** . Probably served at Gibeon. Compare [1 Chronicles 18:16](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/16) .
**Ahimelech the son of Abiathar** . Named after his grandfather ([1 Samuel 21:1](../../../kjv/1-samuel/21/1) ; [2 Samuel 22:9](../../../kjv/2-samuel/22/9) , [2 Samuel 22:16](../../../kjv/2-samuel/22/16) ).
**Abiathar** . Probably served at Jerusalem.
**the scribe.** The first occurrence of this title. Hebrew. *sophir,* a counter. Individual soribes held high positions as associates of the High Priests, and of the commanderin-chief. They were amanuenses, registrars, accountants ([2 Kings 12:10](../../../kjv/2-kings/12/10) ); adjutants ([2 Kings 25:19](../../../kjv/2-kings/25/19) ); secretaries of state ([2 Samuel 8:17](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/17) . [Isaiah 33:18](../../../kjv/isaiah/33/18) ). First occurrence as a class or caste ([1 Chronicles 2:33](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/2/33) ); a branch of the Levites ([2 Chronicles 34:13](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/34/13) ). When Priests, who should have been teachers of the Law ([Deuteronomy 17:11](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/17/11) ; [Deuteronomy 33:10](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/33/10) ), be-came absorbed in ritual, the Scribes became custodians. Ezra was an ideal priest and scribe.

**Benaiah** . Compare [2 Samuel 23:20](../../../kjv/2-samuel/23/20) .
**Cherethites . . . Pelethites** . David's body-guard. Here ends the *prosperous* part of David's reign.

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