---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse 2 Samuel 8:1. David took Metheg-ammah — This is variously translated. The Vulgate has, Tulit David fraenum tributi, David removed the bondage of the"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/2-samuel/8"
---

Verse [2 Samuel 8:1](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/1). ***David took Metheg-ammah*** — This is variously translated. The Vulgate has, *Tulit David fraenum tributi, David removed the* *bondage of the tribute*, which the Israelities paid to the Philistines. Some think it means a *fortress*, city, or strong town; but no such place as *Metheg-ammah* is known. Probably the Vulgate is nearest the truth. The versions are all different. See the following comparison of the principal passages here collated with the parallel place in 1 Chr: -

2Sa. and smote Shobach, &c.
1Ch. *and killed Shophach, &c.*

Verse [2 Samuel 8:2](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/2). ***And measured them with a line - even with two lines*** — It has been generally conjectured that David, after he had conquered Moab, consigned *two-thirds* of the inhabitants *to the sword*; but I think the text will bear a meaning much more reputable to that king. The first clause of the verse seems to determine the sense; *he measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground*-to put to death, and with one line to keep alive. Death seems here to be referred to the cities by way of metaphor; and, from this view of the subject we may conclude that two-thirds of the cities, that is, the *strong places* of Moab, were erased; and not having strong places to trust to, the text adds, *So the Moabites became David's* *servants, and brought gifts*, i.e., were obliged to pay tribute. The word *line* may mean the same here as our *rod*, i.e., the instrument by which land is measured. There are various opinions on this verse, with which I shall not trouble the reader. Much may be seen in *Calmet* and *Dodd*.

Verse [2 Samuel 8:3](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/3). ***David smote - Hadadezer*** — He is supposed to have been king of all Syria, except Phoenicia; and, wishing to extend his dominions to the Euphrates, invaded a part of David's dominions which lay contiguous to it; but being attacked by David, he was totally routed.

Verse [2 Samuel 8:4](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/4). ***A thousand*****chariots**] It is strange that there were a *thousand chariots*, and only *seven hundred horsemen* taken, and twenty thousand foot. But as the discomfiture appears complete, we may suppose that the *chariots*, being less manageable, might be more easily taken, while the *horsemen* might, in general, make their escape. The *infantry* also seem to have been surrounded, when twenty thousand of them were taken prisoners.
***David houghed all the chariot horses*** — If he did so, it was both unreasonable and inhuman; for, as he had so complete a victory, there was no danger of these horses falling into the enemy's hands; and if he did not choose to keep them, which indeed the law would not permit, he should have killed them outright; and then the poor innocent creatures would have been put out of pain. But does the text speak of houghing *horses* at all? It does not. Let us hear; ויעקר דוד את כל הרכב *vayeakker David eth col harecheb*, *And* *David disjointed all the chariots*, except a hundred chariots which he reserved for himself. Now, this destruction of the *chariots*, was a matter of sound *policy*, and strict *piety*. God had censured those who trusted in chariots; *piety* therefore forbade David the use of them: and lest they should fall into the enemy's hands, and be again used against him, *policy* induced him to destroy them. The Septuagint render the words nearly as I have done, και παρελυσε Δαυιδ παντα τα ἁρματα.
He kept however one hundred; probably as a sort of baggage or forage wagons.

Verse [2 Samuel 8:6](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/6). ***Brought gifts*** — Paid tribute.

Verse [2 Samuel 8:7](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/7). ***David took the shields of gold*** — We know not what these were. Some translate *arms*, others *quivers*, others *bracelets*, others *collars*, and others *shields*. They were probably costly ornaments by which the Syrian soldiers were decked and distinguished. And those who are called *servants* here, were probably the *choice troops* or *body-guard* of Hadadezer, as the *argyraspides* were of Alexander the Great. See Quintus Curtius.

Verse [2 Samuel 8:9](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/9). ***Toi king of Hamath*** — Hamath is supposed to be the famous city of *Emesa*, situated on the *Orontes*, in Syria. This was contiguous to Hadadezer; and led him to wage war with Toi, that he might get possession of his territories. For a comparison of the 10th verse, see [1 Chronicles 18:9](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/18/9).

Verse [2 Samuel 8:13](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/13). ***David gat*****him*****a name*** — Became a very celebrated and eminent man. The Targum has it, *David collected troops*; namely, to *recruit* his army when he returned from smiting the Syrians. His many battles had no doubt greatly thinned his army.
***The valley of salt*** — Supposed to be a large plain abounding in this mineral, about a league from the city of *Palmyra* or Tadmor in the wilderness.

Verse [2 Samuel 8:14](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/14). ***He put garrisons in Edom*** — He repaired the strong cities which he had taken, and put garrisons in them to keep the country in awe.

Verse [2 Samuel 8:16](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/16). ***Joab - was over the host*** — General and commander-in-chief over all the army.
***Ahilud - recorder*** — מזכיר *mazkir, remembrancer*; one who kept a strict journal of all the proceedings of the king and operations of his army; a chronicler. See the margin.

Verse [2 Samuel 8:17](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/17). ***Seraiah - the scribe*** — Most likely the king's private secretary. See [1 Chronicles 24:3](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/24/3) ([note](#c13.24.3)).

Verse [2 Samuel 8:18](../../../kjv/2-samuel/8/18). ***Benaiah*** — The chief of the second class of David's worthies. We shall meet with him again.
***The Cherethites and the Pelethites*** — The former supposed to be those who accompanied David when he fled from Saul; the latter, those who came to him at Ziklag. But the Targum translates these two names thus, *the archers and the slingers*; and this is by far the most likely. It is not at all probable that David was without a company both of *archers* and *slingers*. The *bow* is celebrated in the funeral lamentation over Saul and Jonathan; and the *sling* was renowned as the weapon of the Israelites, and how expert David was in the use of it we learn from the death of Goliath. I take for granted that the Chaldee paraphrast is correct. No weapons then known were equally powerful with these; the spears, swords, and javelins, of other nations, were as stubble before them. The bow was the grand weapon of our English ancestors; and even after the invention of firearms, they were with difficulty persuaded to prefer them and leave their archery.

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