Bible Commentaries

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.

And after this it came to pass, that David smote. — Out of action he would not be; but seeing he might not build God a house, he would, by subduing his enemies on all hands, provide for his son Solomon both peace - the daughter of war - and spoils for materials great store. And it is observable that he assailed no nation which he overcame not, besieged no city which he took not; the same which our chronicles affirm of the Black Prince.

And David took Methegammah. — That is Gath with her precincts, 1 Chronicles 18:1 called Methegammah, or the bridle of the angle, or corner, because it kept that part of the country in awe and order. This David took from the Philistines; so hath Christ taken away the dominion of sin. Romans 6:8-14

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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.

And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line. — He used this great severity against them, say the Rabbis, because they had treacherously slain his father and mother, whom he had left with them. 1 Samuel 22:3-4 Howsoever, the Moabites were ever bitter enemies to the Israelites. See Numbers 22:3 . See Trapp on " Numbers 22:3 "

And measured them with a line. — As a carpenter marketh out with a line Isaiah 44:13 what he meaneth to hew off. Compare Isaiah 34:11 .

And with one full line to keep alive. — See a like mixture of severity and mercy in Zechariah 13:8-9 . So Christ will at the last day shed and sever the sheep from the goats. Matthew 25:32-33

And so the Moabites became David’s servants. — Even his wash pots, Psalms 60:8 and that prophecy was in part fulfilled, Numbers 24:17 .

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David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

David smote also Hadadezer. — An ambitious and turbulent prince, who began to grow exceeding potent; and had already, as it may seem, subdued Damascus, and was now formidable to the Israelites. Saul had had wars with his father Zobah, 1 Samuel 14:47 and haply he might pretend that old quarrel, or the conquest of Canaan by his predecessor Cushanrishathaim.

As he went to recover. — And so must needs pass through part of Judea on the other side Jordan, or not far from it. And so if he had returned a conqueror, was like enough to invade it; for ambition is restless, and never saith, It is enough.

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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.

And David took from him a thousand chariots. — As 1 Chronicles 18:4 . And the seven hundred horsemen were ranks of horsemen, ten in a rank, and so make seven thousand (ib.). Josephus saith that he slew five thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen. Of David’s houghing the horses he maketh no mention, because it might seem to have been unwisely done, though in obedience to God’s will, and according to Joshua’s practice. It is well observed concerning Josephus, that writing the antiquities of his own nation with an intention to communicate them to others, he described them as stately as he could; and when he thought the simplicity of the Scripture did not suffice to the commendation of things done amongst his Hebrews, he either added or detracted from the holy history; and therefore he is to be read with discretion.

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And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

And when the Syrians of Damascus came. — Either by the command of Hadadezer, who had subdued them - compare 1 Kings 11:23 - or else out of a pragmatical humour, to meddle where they had not to do. See Proverbs 26:17 .

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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.

Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus. — Which lay north of Judea, as the Moabites did east, the Philistines west, and the Edomites 2 Samuel 8:14 south. Thus he laid about him lustily; beating his enemies on all sides; himself the chief actor; for as Virgil hath it -

“ Urget praesentia Turni. ”

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

And David took the shields of gold. — As Alexander had his Argyraspides, Polyhist., cap. 65. so Hadadezer his Chrysaspides; as if they had been masters of those two islands in India, called Chryse and Argyre, for the plenty of gold and silver there.

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And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

And from Betah, and from Berothai. — Called afterwards Tibhath and Chun. 1 Chronicles 18:8

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