Bible Commentaries

And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the ^a hand of the Philistines.

(a) So that they paid no more tribute.

And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with ^b 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.

(b) He slew two parts as it pleased him, and reserved the third.

Then David put garrisons in ^c Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, ^d [and] brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

(c) In that part of Syria, where Damascus was.

(d) They paid yearly tribute.

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

(e) For the use of the temple.

Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to ^f 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:

(f) For seeing David victorious, he was glad to ask for peace.

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

(g) He gave judgment in controversies, and was merciful toward the people.

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

(h) The Cherethites and Pelethites were as the king's guard, and had charge of his person.