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英文原文
David having sought first the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof, settling the ark as soon as he was himself well settled, we are here told how all other things were added to him. Here is an account, I. Of his conquests. He triumphed, 1. Over the Philistines, 2Sa 8:1. 2. Over the Moabites, 2Sa 8:2. 3. Over the king of Zobah, 2Sa 8:3,4. 4. Over the Syrians, 2Sa 8:5-8,13. 5. Over the Edomites, 2Sa 8:14. II. Of the presents that were brought him and the wealth he got from the nations he subdued, which he dedicated to God, 2Sa 8:9-12. III. Of his court, the administration of his government (2Sa 8:15), and his chief officers, 2Sa 8:16-18. This gives us a general idea of the prosperity of David's reign.
1-8
David's Conquests (1042 BC)
大卫的征服（主前1042年）
¹ 此后大卫攻打非利士人，制服了他们；大卫从非利士人手中夺取了 Metheg-ammah（母蝇·妈妈）。 ² 他又攻打摩押人，使他们躺卧在地上，用绳量一量；用二条绳量了的要杀，用一条满绳量了的留下存活。如此摩押人作了大卫的仆人，给他进贡。 ³ 琐巴王利合的儿子哈大底谢往伯拉河去要恢复他的国权时，大卫也打败了他。 ⁴ 大卫从掳了他一千战车、七百骑兵、二万步兵；大卫又把所有拉车的马的腿筋砍断，只留下一百辆车的马。 ⁵ 大马色的亚兰人来帮助琐巴王哈大底谢，大卫就杀了亚兰人二万二千。 ⁶ 于是大卫在大马色的亚兰设立防营；亚兰人就作了大卫的仆人，给他进贡。大卫无论往哪里去，耶和华都使他得胜。 ⁷ 大卫夺了哈大底谢臣仆手中的金盾牌，带到耶路撒冷。 ⁸ 大卫王又从哈大底谢的城邑比他、比罗他夺得极多的铜。
神既使大卫脱离了一切反对他、与他相抗的仇敌而得安息；他既善用了那安息，如今便蒙授权向他们宣战，采取攻势，为以色列的争端报仇，并收回他们的权利；因为至今他们尚未完全取得按神应许所赐给他们的那地为业。
I. 他完全制伏了非利士人（撒下8:1）。他们见他势弱时曾来攻击（撒下5:17），那时他们吃了败仗；到他自觉强大时，便反过来攻打他们，作了他本国的主。他们长久以来欺压扰乱以色列。扫罗对他们毫无进展；大卫却完成了以色列脱离他们之手的拯救——这拯救参孙许久以前已经开了头（士13:5）。Metheg-ammah就是迦特（非利士人的首要王城）及其所属诸镇；非利士人曾在 Ammah（阿玛）山丘上设常驻防营（撒下2:24），这是Metheg——"嚼环"（如此其义）——是对以色列民的"约束"；大卫从他们手中夺取了它，反过来作了对他们的约束。如此壮士被解除了武装，他所倚靠的军器被夺去，反用来对付他（路11:22）。众圣徒与黑暗权势长久而频繁的争战，正如以色列与非利士人的争战——最终大卫的子孙必将这一切践踏在他们脚下，使圣徒得胜有余。
II. 他击杀摩押人，使他们作以色列的进贡之民（撒下8:2）。他将那地分为三份，二份尽行毁灭——拆毁保障，尽行屠戮；第三份他存留，为要耕种田地，并作以色列的仆人。莱特富特博士（Dr. Lightfoot）说："他使他们躺在地上，用绳子量他们，谁当死谁当活"；这被称为"量了 Succoth（疏割）谷"（诗60:6）。犹太人说，他如此严厉对待摩押人，是因为他们杀了他流亡期间托付摩押王保护的父母和弟兄（撒上22:3,4）。他如此行是按公义，因为他们向来是神之以色列的危险仇敌；也是按策略，因为若存留他们的势力，他们仍要如此。但请观察，虽必须剪除三分之二，然而那存活的尺虽只有一条，却下令要量得满。务要给足其长度；要让怜悯的尺尽量延伸——in favorem vitæ——为要顾全性命。赦免的法令当以放宽恩典之意为解释。如此巴兰的预言便得应验："有星要出于雅各，有杖要兴于以色列，必打破摩押的四角"——那致命的量绳伸展到极处（民24:17）。摩押人继续作以色列的进贡之民，直到亚哈死后（王下3:4,5）。那时他们叛变，再未被制伏。
III. 他击杀亚兰人（Aramaeans）。他们有两个分立的国，正如我们在诗篇60篇的标题中所见：Aram Naharaim——"两河的亚兰"，其首城是大马色（以河闻名，王下5:12）；以及Aram Zobah（琐巴），与之相连，但延伸到伯拉河。这是北方两冠。1. 大卫从琐巴的亚兰人开始（撒下8:3,4）。他往伯拉河去要立定自己的疆界（因为神赐给亚伯拉罕和他后裔的地业延伸如此之远，创15:18），琐巴王阻挡他——那王本已占据了属以色列的诸地；但大卫击溃了他的军队，夺取了他的战车马兵。马兵此处说七百，代上18:4则说七千。若他们照惯例以十骑为一队（这很可能），则队长与队伍为七百，而马兵为七千。大卫砍断马的腿筋——割断其腿弯的筋腱，使它们瘸废，至少不堪军用，因为神曾禁止他们"多积马匹"（申17:16）。大卫只从一千辆中为自己留了一百辆战车：因为他不以战车马匹为势力，乃以永生神为势力（诗20:7），并根据自己的观察写下："君王不能因兵多得胜；勇士不能因力大得救。"马是"枉然的"（诗33:16,17）。2. 大马色的亚兰人来救援琐巴王，与他一同倾覆。二万二千人在阵前被杀（撒下8:5）。如此大卫便轻易取得那地，并在其中设防营（撒下8:6）。神教会的仇敌以为借彼此结盟可以自保，至终必因这些联盟自取灭亡。"任凭你们结盟，终必破坏"（赛8:9）。
IV. 在这一切争战中，1. 大卫蒙保护："大卫无论往哪里去，耶和华都使他得胜。"看来他亲自出征，为神和以色列的缘故，在战场的高处冒性命之险；然而神在争战之日保护了他的头——他在诗篇中常提到这事，归荣耀于神。2. 他丰富了。他夺取了哈大底谢臣仆所看守的金盾牌（撒下8:7），又从亚兰的几座城取得许多铜（撒下8:8）——这些他都名正言顺地取得，不但jure belli——凭那不容抗拒的"剑长者得"之权（"夺到手便是你的"）；更因天上的任命，以及这些地域早已钦定赐给亚伯拉罕后裔的产业。
英文原文
David's Conquests (1042 BC)
¹ And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
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.
³ David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
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 a hundred chariots.
⁵ And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
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.
⁷ And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
⁸ And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
God had given David rest from all his enemies that opposed him and made head against him; and he having made a good use of that rest, has now commission given him to make war upon them, and to act offensively for the avenging of Israel's quarrels and the recovery of their rights; for as yet they were not in full possession of that country to which by the promise of God they were entitled.
I. He quite subdued the Philistines, 2Sa 8:1. They had attacked him when they thought him weak (2Sa 5:17), and went by the worst then; but, when he found himself strong, he attacked them, and made himself master of their country. They had long been vexatious and oppressive to Israel. Saul got no ground against them; but David completed Israel's deliverance out of their hands, which Samson had begun long before, Jdg 13:5. Metheg-ammah was Gath (the chief and royal city of the Philistines) and the towns belonging to it, among which there was a constant garrison kept by the Philistines on the hill Ammah (2Sa 2:24), which was Metheg, a bridle (so it signifies) or curb upon the people of Israel; this David took out of their hand and used it as a curb upon them. Thus, when the strong man is disarmed, the armour wherein he trusted is taken from him, and used against him, Lu 11:22. And after the long and frequent struggles which the saints have had with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son of David shall tread them all under their feet and make the saints more than conquerors.
II. He smote the Moabites, and made them tributaries to Israel, 2Sa 8:2. He divided the country into three parts, two of which he destroyed, casting down the strong-holds, and putting all to the sword; the third part he spared, to till the ground and be servants to Israel. Dr. Lightfoot says, "He laid them on the ground and measured them with a cord, who should be slain and who should live;" and this is called meting out the valley of Succoth, Ps 60:6. The Jews say he used this severity with the Moabites because they had slain his parents and brethren, whom he put under the protection of the king of Moab during his exile, 1Sa 22:3,4. He did it in justice, because they had been dangerous enemies to the Israel of God; and in policy, because, if left in their strength, they still would have been so. But observe, Though it was necessary that two-thirds should be cut off, yet the line that was to keep alive, though it was but one, is ordered to be a full line. Be sure to give that length enough; let the line of mercy be stretched to the utmost in favorem vitæ—so as to favour life. Acts of indemnity must be construed so as to enlarge the favour. Now Balaam's prophecy was fulfilled, A sceptre shall arise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, to the utmost of which the fatal line extended, Nu 24:17. The Moabites continued tributaries to Israel till after the death of Ahab, 2Ki 3:4,5. Then they rebelled and were never reduced.
III. He smote the Syrians or Aramites. Of them there were two distinct kingdoms, as we find them spoken of in the title of the Ps 60:1-12: Aram Naharaim,—Syria of the rivers, whose head city was Damascus (famed for its rivers, 2Ki 5:12), and Aram Zobah, which joined to it, but extended to Euphrates. These were the two northern crowns. 1. David began with the Syrians of Zobah, 2Sa 8:3,4. As he went to settle his border at the river Euphrates (for so far the land conveyed by the divine grant to Abraham and his seed did extend, Ge 15:18), the king of Zobah opposed him, being himself possessed of those countries which belonged to Israel; but David routed his forces, and took his chariots and horsemen. The horsemen are here said to be 700, but 1Ch 18:4 they are said to be 7000. If they divided their horse by ten in a company, as it is probable they did, the captains and companies were 700, but the horsemen were 7000. David houghed the horses, cut the sinews of their hams, and so lamed them, and made them unserviceable, at least in war, God having forbidden them to multiply horses, De 17:16. David reserved only 100 chariots out of 1000 for his own use: for he placed his strength not in chariots nor horses, but in the living God (Ps 20:7), and wrote it from his own observation that a horse is a vain thing for safety, Ps 33:16,17. 2. The Syrians of Damascus coming in to the relief of the king of Zobah fell with him. 22,000 were slain in the field, 2Sa 8:5. So that it was easy for David to make himself master of the country, and garrison it for himself, 2Sa 8:6. The enemies of God's church, that think to secure themselves, will prove, in the end, to ruin themselves, by their confederacies with each other. Associate yourselves, and you shall be broken in pieces, Isa 8:9.
IV. In all these wars, 1. David was protected: The Lord preserved him whithersoever he went. It seems, he went in person, and, in the cause of God and Israel, jeoparded his own life in the high places of the field; but God covered his head in the day of battle, which he often speaks of, in his psalms, to the glory of God. 2. He was enriched. He took the shields of gold which the servants of Hadadezer had in their custody (2Sa 8:7) and much brass from several cities of Syria (2Sa 8:8), which he was entitled to, not only jure belli—by the uncontrollable right of the longest sword ("Get it, and take it"); but by commission from heaven, and the ancient entail of these countries on the seed of Abraham.
9-14
David Conquers Edom (1042 BC)
大卫征服以东（公元前1042年）
⁹ 哈马王陀乌听见大卫杀败哈大底谢的全军，
¹⁰ 就差他儿子约兰去见大卫王，问他安，为他祝福；因为他与哈大底谢争战，击杀了他。原来陀乌与哈大底谢常常争战。约兰手里带了金银铜的器皿来。
¹¹ 大卫王将这些器皿，和他所制伏的各国得来的金银，都分别为圣献给耶和华；
¹² 就是从亚兰、摩押、亚扪人、非利士人、亚玛力人所得来的，以及从琐巴王利合的儿子哈大底谢所得来的掠物。
¹³ 大卫在盐谷击杀了亚兰一万八千人回来，就得了大名。
¹⁴ 又在以东全地设立防营；他在以东全地设立防营，以东人就都作大卫的仆人。大卫无论往哪里去，耶和华都使他得胜。
这里有，1. 哈马王向大卫示好。看来此时他与琐巴王正在交战。他听见大卫胜了他所惧怕的仇敌，便差自己的儿子作使者去见他（撒下8:9,10），恭贺他的胜利，感谢他为他除掉一个使他畏惧之人的势力，并求他的友谊。这样他不但保住自己，更加强了自身。大卫收纳这个小王子归入自己的保护之下，丝毫无所失，正如古罗马人采取同样政策时无所失一般；因为从所征服之国他得的是掳物，从这个国他得的是礼物或赠品：金银的器皿。以和取利，胜于以威强取。2. 大卫将列国的掳物以及一切送来的宝物献给神。他把这一切都分别为圣献给主（撒下8:11,12）。这给他一切的胜利戴上冠冕，使之远远超过亚历山大或凯撒的功业；因为他们求的是自己的荣耀，他所求的却是神的荣耀。他所有的珍宝都是分别为圣的物，即专为建造圣殿而留的；这也是丰满时候中外邦人蒙恩的吉兆，并使神的家成为万民祷告之殿的好兆头——圣殿既由外邦列国的掳物和礼物建造，正与此相应；我们读到地上的君王必将自己的荣耀尊贵归与那新耶路撒冷（启21:24）。他们的金神像，大卫烧了（撒下5:21）；他们的金器皿，他却分别为圣。照样，在大卫子孙的恩典征服一个灵魂之时，凡与神相敌的都必须除灭，每一个私欲都要治死钉在十字架上；但凡能荣耀他的，都要分别为圣，改变其归属。连经商所得和雇价都要归耶和华为圣（赛23:18），所得的要归与全地的主耶和华为圣（弥4:13），这样才真是我们自己的，且用得最舒心。3. 他因胜了亚兰和与亚兰结盟的以东人而特别得着名声；比较诗60篇的标题——该篇正是为此场合而作——便知他们彼此呼应（撒下8:13）。他得了大名，因着一切作伟大杰出元帅所当有的谋略和胆量。那次的行动大概有些特别之处，很给他增光；然而他小心把荣耀归于神，正如他为此场合所写的诗篇所表明的（撒下8:12）。是藉着神我们才能施展大能。4. 他对以东人的成功。他们都作了大卫的仆人（撒下8:14）。以撒所祝的福——雅各作了以扫的主（创27:37-40）——至此才成就；以东人长久向犹大列王进贡，如摩押人向以色列列王进贡一般，直到约兰年间才背叛（代下21:8），正如以撒在那里所预言的，以扫将来要从颈项上挣脱这轭。这样大卫藉着他的征服，（1）为他儿子保障了和平，使他有工夫建造圣殿。（2）为他儿子预备了财富，使他有资财可以建造。神差遣他的仆人各作不同的事工，有的作这种，有的作那种；有的从事属灵的争战，有的从事属灵的建造；一人为另一人预备工作，使神在一切之上得荣耀。大卫一切的胜利都是福音胜过撒但国度之成功的预表；在其中大卫的子孙骑着，胜了又要胜，他必作王，直到把一切执政的、掌权的、有能的都毁灭；他像大卫一样（撒下8:2），有一条线量来杀，一条线量来救；因为同一福音对一些人是生命的香气叫他活，对另一些人是死的香气叫他死。
英文原文
David Conquers Edom (1042 BC)
⁹ When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
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:
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;
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.
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.
Here is, 1. The court made to David by the king of Hamath, who, it seems was at this time at war with the king of Zobah. He hearing of David's success against his enemy, sent his own son ambassador to him (2Sa 8:9,10), to congratulate him on his victory, to return him thanks for the favour he had done him in breaking the power of one he was in fear of, and to beg his friendship. Thus he not only secured but strengthened himself. And David lost nothing by taking this little prince under his protection, any more than the old Romans did by the like policy; for the wealth he had from the countries he conquered by way of spoil he had from this by way of present or gratuity: Vessels of silver and gold. Better get by composition than by compulsion. 2. The offering David made to God of the spoils of the nations and all the rich things that were brought him. He dedicated all to the Lord, 2Sa 8:11,12. This crowned all his victories, and made them far to out-shine Alexander's or Caesar's, that they sought their own glory, but he aimed at the glory of God. All the precious things he was master of were dedicated things, that is, they were designed for the building of the temple; and a good omen it was of kindness to the Gentiles in the fulness of time, and of the making of God's house a house of prayer for all people, that the temple was built of the spoils and presents of Gentile nations, in allusion to which we find the kings of the earth bringing their glory and honour into the new Jerusalem, Re 21:24. Their gods of gold David burnt (2Sa 5:21), but their vessels of gold he dedicated. Thus in the conquest of a soul, by the grace of the Son of David, what stands in opposition to God must be destroyed, every lust mortified and crucified, but what may glorify him must be dedicated and the property of it altered. Even the merchandise and the hire must be holiness to the Lord (Isa 23:18), the gain consecrated to the Lord of the whole earth (Mic 4:13), and then it is truly our own and that most comfortably. 3. The reputation he got, in a particular manner, by his victory over the Syrians and their allies the Edomites, who acted in conjunction with them, as appears by comparing the title of the 60th Psalm, which was penned on this occasion, with 2Sa 8:13. He got himself a name for all that conduct and courage which are the praise of a great and distinguished general. Something extraordinary, it is likely, there was in that action, which turned very much to his honour, yet he is careful to transfer the honour to God, as appears by the psalm he penned on this occasion, 2Sa 8:12. It is through God that we do valiantly. 4. His success against the Edomites. They all became David's servants, 2Sa 8:14. Now, and not till now, Isaac's blessing was accomplished, by which Jacob was made Esau's Lord (Ge 27:37-40) and the Edomites continued long tributary to the kings of Judah, as the Moabites were to the kings of Israel, till, in Joram's time, they revolted (2Ch 21:8) as Isaac had there foretold that Esau should, in process of time, break the yoke from off his neck. Thus David by his conquests, (1.) Secured peace to his son, that he might have time to build the temple. And, (2.) Procured wealth for his son, that he might have wherewith to build it. God employs his servants variously, some in one employment, others in another, some in the spiritual battles, others in the spiritual buildings; and one prepares work for the other, that God may have the glory of all. All David's victories were typical of the success of the gospel against the kingdom of Satan, in which the Son of David rode forth, conquering and to conquer, and he shall reign till he has brought down all opposing rule, principality, and power: and he has, as David had (2Sa 8:2), a line to kill and a line to save; for the same gospel is to some a savour of life unto life, to others a savour of death unto death.
15-18
David's Administration of the Government of Israel (1042 BC)
大卫治理以色列的国政（主前1042年）
¹⁵ 大卫作以色列众人的王，又向众民秉公行义。
¹⁶ 洗鲁雅的儿子约押作元帅；亚希律的儿子约沙法作史官；
¹⁷ 亚希突的儿子撒督和亚比亚他的儿子亚希米勒作祭司；西莱雅作书记；
¹⁸ 耶何耶大的儿子比拿雅统管基利提人和比利提人。大卫的众子都作首领。
大卫并没有因忙于对外争战而疏忽了国内的行政治理。
一、他的关怀遍及他所辖治的全境：「他作以色列众人的王」（撒下8:15）；他不仅有权统管所有支派，也实在如此治理。他们都安居在他的保护之下，共享他善政的成果。
二、他以不偏不倚、坚定不移的手施行公正：「他向众民秉公行义」，既不冤屈人，也不拒绝或耽延任何人的当得之理。这表明：1. 他的勤勉与对事务的专心投入，他的平易近人，以及随时愿意接纳一切向他呈上的陈请与申诉。他所有的百姓，连最卑微的，连那些来自最微小支派的人，都可以来到他的议席之前。2. 他的公正，以及他断案时的公平。他从不因人情或偏爱而枉法，审判时也不看人的情面。在此他是基督的预表——基督是「诚信真实」的，他「凭公义审判、争战」（启19:11）。参诗72:1-2。
三、他在朝廷中维持了良好的秩序，并设立贤能的官员。大卫是第一位拥有稳固政权之君王（因为扫罗的统治短暂而不稳定），因此国政的建制由他来立定。在扫罗时代，除了元帅押尼珥以外，我们未曾读到其他高官。但大卫设立了更多职官：1. 两名武官：约押作野战军的元帅；比拿雅统管基利提人和比利提人——他们或是城中的常备兵丁（迦勒底译本译作「弓箭手和甩石兵」），或更确切地说，是护卫王身的御林军，即常备军。他们随时预备在国内效力，协助施行公断，并维持公共治安。我们看到他们在所罗门登基时也被差派使用（王上1:38）。2. 两名圣职官员：「撒督和亚希米勒作祭司」，也就是说，他们在大祭司亚比亚他之下，最常担任祭司的职务。3. 两名文职官员：一名是史官，即「提醒官」，负责按时提醒王所当办的事务（他是国家的首席大臣，但并不如人论及大法官时所说的那样受托看顾王的良心，而只是看顾王的记忆；只要王被提醒当办之事，他便会亲自处理）；另一名是书记，即国务秘书，负责拟定公开的谕令与文书，并记录已宣告的判决。4. 大卫的儿子们一旦长大、足以胜任事务，就被立为首领；他们按照各自的才性，在宫廷、军营或法庭中担任尊荣与可信的职分。「他们都在王左右」（代上18:17如是解释），在王身边任职，好让他们在他的目光之下。我们的主耶稣也在他的国中设立了职官，为着他的荣耀和全体的益处；他升上高天的时候，「将各样恩赐赏给人」（弗4:8-11），「又派各人当作的工」（可13:34）。大卫立他的众子作首领；但一切信徒——基督属灵的后裔——所得的分却更为美好，因为他们「成为国民，作神我们的父的祭司」（启1:6）。
英文原文
David's Administration of the Government of Israel (1042 BC)
¹⁵ And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
¹⁶ And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
¹⁷ And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
¹⁸ And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
David was not so engaged in his wars abroad as to neglect the administration of the government at home.
I. His care extended itself to all the parts of his dominion: He reigned over all Israel (2Sa 8:15); not only he had a right to reign over all the tribes, but he did so; they were all safe under his protection, and shared in the fruits of his good government.
II. He did justice with an unbiased unshaken hand: He executed judgment unto all his people, neither did wrong nor denied or delayed right to any. This intimates, 1. His industry and close application to business, his easiness of access and readiness to admit all addresses and appeals made to him. All his people, even the meanest, and those too of the meanest tribes, were welcome to his council-board. 2. His impartiality and the equity of his proceedings, in administering justice. He never perverted justice through favour or affection, nor had respect of persons in judgment. Herein he was a type of Christ, who was faithful and true, and who doth in righteousness both judge and make war, Re 19:11. See Ps 72:1,2.
III. He kept good order and good officers in his court. David being the first king that had an established government (for Saul's reign was short and unsettled) he had the modelling of the administration. In Saul's time we read of no other great officer than Abner, that was captain of the host. But David appointed more officers: Joab that was general of the forces in the field, and Banaiah that was over the Cherethites and Pelethites, who were either the city train-bands (archers and slingers, so the Chaldee), or rather the life-guards, or standing force, that attended the king's person, the pretorian band, the militia. They were ready to do service at home, to assist in the administering of justice, and to preserve the public peace. We find them employed in proclaiming Solomon, 1Ki 1:38. 2. Two ecclesiastical officers: Zadok and Ahimelech were priests, that is, they were most employed in the priests' work under Abiathar, the high priest. 3. Two civil officers: one that was recorder, or remembrancer, to put the king in mind of business in its season (he was prime minister of state, yet not entrusted with the custody of the king's conscience, as they say of our lord chancellor, but only of the king's memory; let the king be put in mind of business and he would do it himself); another that was scribe, or secretary of state, that drew up public orders and despatches, and recorded judgments given. 4. David's sons, as they grew up to be fit for business, were made chief rulers; they had places of honour and trust assigned them, in the household, or in the camp, or in the courts of justice, according as their genius led them. They were chief about the king (so it is explained, 1Ch 18:17), employed near him, that they might be under his eye. Our Lord Jesus has appointed officers in his kingdom, for his honour and the good of the community; when he ascended on high he gave these gifts (Eph 4:8-11), to every man his work, Mk 13:34. David made his sons chief rulers; but all believers, Christ's spiritual seed, are better preferred, for they are made to our God kings and priests, Re 1:6.
大卫既先求神的国和神的义——在自己安顿妥当之后，随即安顿约柜——本章便告诉我们，这一切别的事物是如何加给他的。本章所记如下：I. 他的征伐。他战胜了：1. 非利士人，撒下 8:1。2. 摩押人，撒下 8:2。3. 锡巴的国王，撒下 8:3,4。4. 亚兰人，撒下 8:5-8,13。5. 以东人，撒下 8:14。II. 各国送给他的贡物以及他从所征服的列国所得的财富，他都分别为圣献给神，撒下 8:9-12。III. 他的朝廷，他治国的行政（撒下 8:15），以及他的主要臣宰，撒下 8:16-18。这使我们得以一窥大卫治下国势昌盛的概貌。