2 Samuel 8 - Study the King James Bible

And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

subdued . While David was victorious over enemies without, he was defeated by enemies within. See 2 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 12 .
Metheg-ammah . 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 ).

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.

smote Moab . Thus fulfilling 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 , Deuteronomy 3:13 (region); 2Sa 32:8 , 2Sa 32:9 . Joshua 17:6 , Joshua 17:14 .Psalms 19:4 .Amos 7:17 . Micah 2:5 . 2 Corinthians 10:16 .
casting them = casting down the cities. See note on "them", above, and compare 1 Chronicles 18:2 = " made them his servants", or vassals.
to put to death . These were soldiers in arms, not inhabitants.

David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

Hadadezer . Some codices, with four early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "Hadadezer" (compare 1 Chronicles 18:3 , 1 Chronicles 18:5 ). Some divide and make it two words.
Zobah . See Psalms 60:1 , and compare 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 , "establish his dominion there".
Euphrates . Compare 1 Chronicles 18:3 and Genesis 15:18 .

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.

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

And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

men . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

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.

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

And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

shields . Septuagint reads "bracelets".

And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

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

Toi . Septuagint and Vulgate read "Tou" throughout. Compare 1 Chronicles 18:9 . He was a Hittite king.

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:

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

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;

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.

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 .

13.

And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

gat him = made himself.
smiting = his smiting. This is David's exploit. In 1 Chronicles 18:3 , 1 Chronicles 18:12 it is Abishai's command, while in title of Psalms 60 (Psalms 60:1 ) it is Joab's share in the campaign (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 , 1 Kings 11:16 .

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.

garrisons , or political residents.

15.

And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

16.

And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

recorder = remembrancer.

17.

And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

Zadok . Probably served at Gibeon. Compare 1 Chronicles 18:16 .
Ahimelech the son of Abiathar . Named after his grandfather (1 Samuel 21:1 ; 2 Samuel 22:9 , 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 ); adjutants (2 Kings 25:19 ); secretaries of state (2 Samuel 8:17 . Isaiah 33:18 ). First occurrence as a class or caste (1 Chronicles 2:33 ); a branch of the Levites (2 Chronicles 34:13 ). When Priests, who should have been teachers of the Law (Deuteronomy 17:11 ; Deuteronomy 33:10 ), be-came absorbed in ritual, the Scribes became custodians. Ezra was an ideal priest and scribe.

18.

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.

Benaiah . Compare 2 Samuel 23:20 .
Cherethites . . . Pelethites . David's body-guard. Here ends the prosperous part of David's reign.