2 Sam. 8 David subdueth the Philistines and the Moabites; smiteth the king of Zobah, and the Syrians; placeth a garrison in Damascus, 2 Sam. 8:1–8. Toi sendeth Joram with presents to bless him; which with the spoil he dedicateth to God, 2 Sam.

Metheg-ammah, i.e. Gath and her towns, as it is expressed in the parallel place, 1 Chron. 18:1, which are called Metheg-ammah, or the bridle of Ammah, because Gath was situate in the mountain of Ammah; and because this being the chief city of the Philistines, and having a king, which none of the…

He smote Moab; for although the king of Moab, out of hatred to Saul, pretended some kindness to David, and gave protection to his parents, 1 Sam. 22:3–4; yet the Moabites were perpetual and sworn enemies to the Israelites, who therefore were forbidden to admit them into the congregation of the…

Hadadezer, called Hadarezer, 1 Chron. 18:3, the Hebrew letters daleth and reseh being alike, and so oft interchanged. Zobah; a part of Syria, lying north-east from Canaan, towards Hamath, 1 Chron. 18:3, 1 Sam. 14:47. As he went. Quest. Who? Answ.

Chariots; which word is fitly supplied out of 1 Chron. 18:4, such substantives being oft understood in the Hebrew language, as Gen. 26:30, 2 Sam. 21:16. Seven hundred horsemen, or seven hundred companies of horsemen, i. e. in all seven thousand; as it is 1 Chron.

The Syrians of Damascus, i. e. who were subject to Damascus, the chief city of Syria.

Brought gifts, to purchase their peace, and acknowledge their subjection to him.

That were on the servants, or rather, which were with the servants, i.e. committed to their custody, as being kept in the king’s armory; for it is not probable they carried them into the field.

In 1 Chron. 18:8, it is from Tibnath and from Chun. Either therefore the same cities were called by several names, as is usual, the one by the Hebrews, the other by the Syrians; or those were two other cities, and so the brass was taken out of these four cities.

Hamath; another eminent city of Syria.

Toi sent Joram: here also the names differ from 1 Chron. 18:9–10, where it is Tou and Hadoram. Had wars, Heb. was a man of wars, i.e. was exercised with continual wars. Compare Gen. 9:20;c.

Unto the Lord; to the building of God’s temple. So he showed his affection to God and his house, in preparing for it when he was not permitted to build it.

Gat him a name, i.e. much increased his reputation. The Syrians, or Edomites, as they are said to be, 1 Chron. 18:12. It is likely these two people were confederates, and that divers of the Syrians whom David had defeated in Syria fled to Edom, and there joined with them against their common enemy,…

Judgment and Justice, i. e. just judgment, as Deut. 16:18. A figure called hendiadis as in Gen. 3:16, Matt. 4:16.

Joab having doubtless declared his repentance for his former crimes, and having done eminent service for his country, and having received the chief command by virtue of David’s promise and contract, 2 Sam. 5:8, was still continued in his place. Recorder; either, first, The writer of chronicles.

The son of Ahitub; not of that Ahitub, 1 Sam. 22:0; for that was of Ithamar’s race, but this of Eleazar. Ahimelech the son of Abiathar; so Abiathar called his son by the name of his father, 1 Sam. 22:20. The priests, i. e. the chief priest next under Abiathar, who fled to David, 1 Sam.

Was over: these words are supplied out of the parallel place, 1 Chron. 18:17, and out of 2 Sam. 20:23, where they are expressed. The Cherethites and Pelethites were undoubtedly soldiers, and such as were eminent for their valour and fidelity to the king, as is evident from 2 Sam. 15:18, 2 Sam.