David Subjugates Nearby Nations

8:1 Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. David took Metheg Ammah from the Philistines. 

 

After the Davidic Covenant promise was made to David, God promised David that He would bring Israel peace. David would begin to get rid of all of Israel’s enemies and expand the land to its largest borders in history. The Philistines had been enemies of Israel for 125 years. David defeated them, causing them to relocate to new borders. The Romans hated the Jews so much, that they renamed the land of Israel “Palestine” after the defeated enemies of Israel.

 

8:2 He defeated the Moabites. He made them lie on the ground and then used a rope to measure them off. He put two-thirds of them to death and spared the other third. The Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute. 

 

David possessed genealogical roots from the tribe of Moab through his great-grandmother Ruth. At one time, David was on good terms with the Moabites. The King of Moab even protected David’s family during Saul’s persecution of David. Now, Israel and Moab were enemies. David either put to death 2/3 of the Moabites, or he killed the adults and allowed the children to live. The Moabites became a vassal state to Israel.

 

8:3 David defeated King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah when he came to reestablish his authority over the Euphrates River. 

 

Hadad was the personal name for the Canaanite storm god. Psalm 60 was written to commemorate this battle. Zobah was an Aramean kingdom north of Damascus.

 

8:4 David seized from him 1,700 charioteers and 20,000 infantrymen. David cut the hamstrings of all but a hundred of the chariot horses. 

 

The Mosaic Law forbade Israelite kings from multiplying wives and horses. David multiplied wives, but Solomon multiplied both wives and horse. God wanted his kings placing faith in God and not military alliances and chariots. The hamstrings of the horses were cut so that they could not be used for war horses.

 

8:5 The Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, but David killed 22,000 of the Arameans. 

 

Damascus is listed today by many scholars as the oldest city in the world. The Arameans were people located around the city of Damascus as well as in the area of Zobah.

 

8:6 David placed garrisons in the territory of the Arameans of Damascus; the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned. 

 

David placed military garrisons in Aramean territory. He forced the Arameans to pay tribute to him. Israel was growing large, wealthy and powerful.

 

8:7 David took the golden shields that belonged to Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Jerusalem. 

 

Golden shields were not used for battle, but for decoration. These same golden shields ouldl later be plundered by the Babylonians.

 

8:8 From Tebah and Berothai, Hadadezer’s cities, King David took a great deal of bronze.

 

This bronze would later be used for the construction of the temple.

 

8:9 When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, 

 

Hamath was another Aramean territory located about 100 miles north of Damascus.

 

8:10 He sent his son Joram to King David to extend his best wishes and to pronounce a blessing on him for his victory over Hadadezer, for Toi had been at war with Hadadezer. He brought with him various items made of silver, gold, and bronze. 

 

King Toi was extremely happy to see his enemy Zobah defeated by David. He wanted to ally with David, so he gave David gifts.  King Toi wanted to become a vassal state of Israel.

 

8:11 King David dedicated these things to the Lord, along with the dedicated silver and gold that he had taken from all the nations that he had subdued, 

 

David was cornering the gold market of the ancient world.

 

8:12 including Aram, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amelek. This also included some of the plunder taken from King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah.

 

All of this plunder would be used to build the temple. Many scholars call the first temple “Solomon’s Temple," but it should be called “David’s Temple." David brought peace to Israel so that she would have the time and resources to build it. He also brought gold to Israel so that the temple could be funded. He even gave the blueprints of the temple to Solomon. All Solomon had to do was to hire and pay the workers. Everything else was funded and furnished by David.

 

8:13 David became famous when he returned from defeating the Arameans in the Valley of Salt, he defeated 18,000 in all. 

 

David defeated the Arameans, removing another big threat to Israel.

 

8:14 He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned. 

 

The Edomites were the descendants of Esau. Esau was the twin brother of Jacob. Jacob became the twelve tribes of Israel. Esau became the twelve tribes of Edom. Jerusalem will become the messianic city of peace during the Millennial Kingdom. One of the cities of Edom will become a desolate burning prison for demons.

 

8:15 David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people.

 

After the conquests and during this time of peace, David reigned all over Israel. David strengthened Israel. He was responsible for the beginning of Israel’s golden age. 

 

David’s Cabinet

8:16 Joab son of Zeruiah was general in command of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was secretary; 

 

The author listed the cabinet of King David. Joab was the Secretary of War. Jehoshophat was the keeper of the state records.

 

8:17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was scribe; 

 

Zadok means “righteous." He was a Levitical priest descended from Aaron through Eleazar. God predicted that the house of Levi would violently end. The future sons of Zadok will become priests during the Millennial Kingdom. 

 

Ahimelech was a priest from the line of Eli. Samuel predicted that the house of Eli would eventually die out, mostly by violent deaths. Ahimelech would serve David, and then be removed by the future King Solomon. This removal would fulfill Samuel’s curse upon the house of Eli.

 

Seraiah was the secretary of David. His name means “The Lord prevails."

 

8:18 Benaiah son of Jehoida supervised the Kerithites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.

 

Benaiah means “the Lord builds.” He served as the commander-in-chief of David’s personal bodyguard. He later became the commander-in-chief of Solomon’s army.  

 

The Kerithites and Pelethites were not priests, but chief minsters at the king’s side.