2 Samuel 8 Explained – A 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Samuel 8 Short Summary:

2 Samuel 8 documents the growing influence and military might of Israel under the leadership of King David. David subdued the people of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, Amalek, and Zobah. His battle with Hadadezer, king of Zobah, is recorded in chapter 18. The last couple verses list the names of David’s government officials.

2 Samuel 8 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Saul died in approximately 1055 B.C., after reigning over Israel for 40 years.

• David became king over Judah the same year. He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all Israel. His reign over all Judah and Israel lasted 33 years.

CHARACTERS:

• David – David was the 2nd king over all Israel and Judah.

• Hadadezer – The son of Rehob, the king of Zobah, an enemy of Israel.

• Toi – The king of Hamath. His country cultivated a friendship with David because they were mutual enemies of Hadadezer.

• Joram – The son of Toi.

WHERE:

• David’s capital was in Jerusalem.

• David fought with the Philistines and Moabites (see Philistia and Moab on the map).

• The Euphrates River is mentioned in verse 2 Samuel 8:3. The river lies hundreds of miles north of Jerusalem.

• David fought with Hadadezer of Zobah. Most historians believe Zobab was in the region of Syria.

• David also fought with the Syrians of Damascus.

• Other locations highlighted in this chapter include: Hamath, Edom, Ammon, Amalek, and the Valley of Salt.  

OUTLINE:

• DAVID’S POWER EXTENDS BEYOND ISRAEL’S BORDERS (8:1-14):

  • God gave David victory over his enemies, both domestic and abroad.

  • In David’s time, the influence of the kingdom of Israel spread more than ever before.

  • Israel defeated the Philistines.

  • They defeated the Moabites and made them their servants.

  • David met Hadadezer of Zobah on his way to the Euphrates River and defeated him.

  • David took 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot-soldiers from Hadadezer. He kept enough horses to pull 100 chariots and hamstrung the rest.

  • The Syrians came to the aid of Hadadezer, but David defeated them too, and killed 22,000.

  • The Syrians were forced to pay tribute to the Israelites.

  • Toi, the king of Hamath, sent his son to David to bless him and deliver a present of silver, gold, and bronze.

  • David gathered many other riches from the surrounding nations and dedicated them to the Lord in Jerusalem.

  • David subdued the people of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, Amalek, and Zobah.

  • He stuck down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and the Edomites became servants to the Israelites.

• A RECORD OF THE OFFICIALS OF ISRAEL (8:15-18):

  • David was king in Israel.

  • Joab was the commander of Israel’s army.

  • Jehoshaphat was “recorder.”

  • Zadok and Ahimelech were priests.

  • Seraiah was secretary (“scribe”, KJV).

  • Benaiah was over the Cherethites and Pelethites.

  • David’s sons were priests (“chief rulers”, KJV).

APPLICATION:

• This chapter is another example of the faithfulness of God, and the reliability of the promises of God.

• Way back in Genesis 15, God made a promise to Abraham, saying, “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates” (Gen 15:18).

• Before David’s time, the land under control of the Israelites was significantly smaller than that described in the promise to Abraham.

• But God blessed David and permitted him to expand the influence of Israel from the Euphrates River to the River of Egypt.

• God always keeps His promises.

• The nation of Israel is a case study in the faithfulness of God.

• Reading their history should instill confidence in us that God will not let us down.