Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
2 Samuel 8
subdued. While David was victorious over enemies without, he was defeated by enemies within. See 2Sa 11 and 2Sa 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).
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); 2 Samuel 32:8, 2 Samuel 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.
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.
seven hundred. =1 Chronicles 18:47; 1 Chronicles 18:000; 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]
Toi. Septuagint and Vulgate read "Tou" throughout. Compare 1 Chronicles 18:9. He was a Hittite king.
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.
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.
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 Psa 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.
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.
Benaiah. Compare 2 Samuel 23:20.
Cherethites . . . Pelethites. David's body-guard. Here ends the prosperous part of David's reign.
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