Bible Commentaries

Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took ^a Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

(a) Which (2 Samuel 8:1) calls the bridle of bondage, because it was a strong town and kept the country around it in subjection.

Then David put [garrisons] in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, [and] brought gifts. Thus the LORD ^b preserved David whithersoever he went.

(b) That is in all things that he attempted.

Likewise from ^c Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

(c) Which in (2 Samuel 8:8) is called Betah and Berothai.

He sent ^d Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and [with him] all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.

(d) Called also Joram (2 Samuel 8:10).

Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all [these] nations; from ^e Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

(e) Because the Edomites and the Syrians joined their power together, it is said, (2 Samuel 8:12) that the Amramites were spoiled.

Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt ^f eighteen thousand.

(f) Which is understood that Joab slew 12,000 as is in (Psalm 60:1) and Abishai the rest.

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was] over the ^g Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David [were] chief about the king.

(g) Read (2 Samuel 8:18).