Bible Commentaries

it came to pass. Compare the parallel (2 Samuel 8:1-8); and note that the two accounts are supplementary and complementary, not contradictory.

Gath. See note on "Metheg-ammah" (2 Samuel 8:1). In the time of Solomon (1 Kings 2:39 Gath was tributary.

her towns. Hebrew her daughters. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6.

smote Moab. Tims fulfilling Numbers 24:17.

Hadarezer. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "Hadadezer" as in 2 Samuel 8:5.

Zobah. Compare Psalm 60, title, and 1 Samuel 14:47. It was in the neighbourhood of Damascus. in 1 Chronicles 19:6 we have the provocation which led to this war. Compare 2 Samuel 10:16. to stablish his dominion. It had been impaired, Compare 2 Samuel 8:3.

seven thousand. See note on 2 Samuel 8:4

an = for an.

garrisons. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read this word in the text, as in 2 Samuel 8:6.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Tibhath. Called also Beta and Berothai (2 Samuel 8:8): unless the four names represent four cities.

the pillars: i.e. the two pillars afterward made by Solomon (1 Kings 7:15, 1 Kings 7:21; 2 Chronicles 3:15-17).

Tou. Called also Toi (2 Samuel 8:9).

Hadoram. Called also Joram in 2 Samuel 8:10.

had war = was a man of war.

from Edom. In 2 Samuel 8:14 we have another exploit included in this summary. See note on 1 Chronicles 18:12.

children = sons.

eighteen thousand. This was Abishai's command. In 2 Samuel 8:13 we have David's command; while in Psa 60 (title, Psalms 60:1) we have Joab's share in the campaign (1 Kings 11:16). There is no contradiction, but independent and separate exploits. Abishai's number was 18,000. We do not know how long Abishai's took him. Joab's (which took him six months longer) was 10,000.

recorder: or remembrancer.

Zadok. Compare 1 Chronicles 6:8. 2 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 15:29.

Abimelech. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "Ahimelech". Compare 2 Samuel 8:17.

Shavsha. Called also Seraiah (2 Samuel 8:17).

the. Some codices, with Septuagint, and two early printed editions, read "over the".

chief = heads, because David's sons were not priests.

about = at the hand of.

and his son. Septuagint reads "and Hanun his son", as in 2 Samuel 10:1.