2 Samuel 8
Lutheran reading notes
In 2 Samuel chapter 8, the account continues the story of the reign of King David and establishment of his kingdom. Lutheran interpretation frequently highlights how these events reveal both human sinfulness and God’s faithful promises. The chapter demonstrates the tension between human failure and God’s ongoing grace working through history.
1
And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines. {Methegammah: or, the bridle of Ammah}
2 Samuel 8:1 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with 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.
2 Samuel 8:2 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. {Hadadezer: or, Hadarezer}
2 Samuel 8:3 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
And David took from him a thousand {chariots}, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot {horses}, but reserved of them {for} an hundred chariots. {from...: or, of his chariots}
2 Samuel 8:4 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
2 Samuel 8:5 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, {and} brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
2 Samuel 8:6 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 8:7 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
2 Samuel 8:8 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
2 Samuel 8:9 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to 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: {Joram: also called, Hadoram} {salute...: Heb. ask him of peace} {had wars...: Heb. was a man of wars with} {brought...: Heb. in his hand were}
2 Samuel 8:10 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
2 Samuel 8:11 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13
And David gat {him} a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, {being} eighteen thousand {men}. {smiting: Heb. his smiting}
2 Samuel 8:13 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
2 Samuel 8:14 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
2 Samuel 8:15 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
And Joab the son of Zeruiah {was} over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud {was} recorder; {recorder: or, remembrancer, or, writer of chronicles}
2 Samuel 8:16 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, {were} the priests; and Seraiah {was} the scribe; {scribe: or, secretary}
2 Samuel 8:17 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada {was over} both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers. {chief rulers: or, princes}
2 Samuel 8:18 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.