TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ 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.
KJV (with Strong's)
And after H310 this it came to pass, that David H1732 smote H5221 the Philistines H6430, and subdued H3665 them: and David H1732 took H3947 Methegammah H4965 out of the hand H3027 of the Philistines H6430.
Complete Jewish Bible
Some time afterwards, David attacked the P'lishtim and subdued them; David took Meteg-Amah out of the hands of the P'lishtim.
Berean Standard Bible
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines.
American Standard Version
And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.
World English Bible Messianic
After this, David struck the Philistines, and subdued them; and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.
Geneva Bible (1599)
After this now, Dauid smote the Philistims, and subdued them, and Dauid tooke the bridle of bondage out of the hand of the Philistims.
Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass afterwards that David smiteth the Philistines, and humbleth them, and David taketh the bridle of the metropolis out of the hand of the Philistines.
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In the KJVVerse 8,211 of 31,102
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Commentary on 2 Samuel 8 verses 1–8
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.
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 an 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, Sa2 8:1. They had attacked him when they thought him weak (Sa2 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 (Sa2 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, Luk 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, Sa2 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, Psa 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, Sa1 22:3, Sa1 22:4. 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 vitae - 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, Num 24:17. The Moabites continued tributaries to Israel till after the death of Ahab, Kg2 3:4, Kg2 3:5. 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 60th Psalm: Aram Naharaim, - Syria of the rivers, whose head city was Damascus (famed for its rivers, Kg2 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, Sa2 8:3, Sa2 8:4. 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, Gen 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 Ch1 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, Deu 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 (Psa 20:7), and wrote it from his own observation that a horse is a vain thing for safety, Psa 33:16, Psa 33:17. 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, Sa2 8:5. So that it was easy for David to make himself master of the country, and garrison it for himself, Sa2 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 (Sa2 8:7) and much brass from several cities of Syria (Sa2 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.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–8. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS, ALTERNATE SERIES 61 (PS 15)
In the second book of Kings [Samuel], where David defeated the Moabites, Scripture records the measuring out of two separate lines for life and two for death. The significance of setting aside some Moabites for life and others for death is made clear by the story of Orpah and Ruth. Orpah, who turned back to idolatry and her ancient country, was destined for death; Ruth, following her mother-in-law, whose name means “pleasant,” says, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”
CassiodorusAD 585
EXPOSITION OF THE PSALMS 59.1-2
The history of the Kings [Samuel] recounts that David won these victories after he succeeded Saul in the kingship, and it seems inappropriate to introduce them into our ordered arrangement here since they are known to be recounted extensively there. But we must realize that these wars are a description in figure of the Lord Savior’s victories which he wins throughout the whole world over pagans and the faithless. It is their words which this psalm will utter, so that when truly dislodged from their old superstition they may deserve to be changed through the grace of the new man.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
2 Samuel 8:1 marks a pivotal moment in the reign of King David, initiating a period of unprecedented military conquest and the consolidation of Israel's power as a dominant regional force. This verse specifically details David's decisive victory over the Philistines, a long-standing and formidable enemy, signifying the tangible fulfillment of God's covenant promises to establish David's kingdom securely and grant him rest from his adversaries. This triumph not only neutralized a perennial threat but also laid the essential groundwork for the expansion and security of the united monarchy under David's divinely appointed leadership.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that amplify its meaning and impact. The opening phrase, "And after this it came to pass," functions as a Narrative Transition, effectively linking the military successes of David directly to the divine promises of the Davidic Covenant in the previous chapter, emphasizing cause and effect in God's sovereign plan. The language of "smote" and "subdued" utilizes powerful Conquest Terminology, vividly portraying the decisive and comprehensive nature of David's victory, underscoring his divinely empowered authority and the thoroughness of the Philistine defeat. Furthermore, "Methegammah" serves as a profound instance of Symbolism. While likely referring to a specific place (like Gath), its unusual and debated name ("bridle of the cubit/mother city") carries significant symbolic weight, representing the complete and utter subjugation of the Philistines, as if David had placed a bridle on their very strength and was now controlling their movements. This symbolic capture signifies the definitive end of their threat and the beginning of Israel's secure dominion.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 8:1 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness in bringing His promises to fruition through human agents. David's victory over the Philistines is not merely a testament to his military genius or strategic prowess, but a direct and tangible fulfillment of God's covenant to establish his kingdom securely and grant him "rest from all his enemies" (2 Samuel 7:11). This passage underscores the theological truth that God is sovereign over history, actively raising up and empowering leaders to accomplish His divine purposes, even against formidable and long-standing opposition. It reveals a God who meticulously keeps His word, actively working to secure His people and His chosen king, thereby bringing about a period of peace, security, and prosperity for Israel. This victory also serves as a powerful reminder that God enables His people to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles when they walk in obedience to His will and trust in His power.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's decisive victory over the Philistines in 2 Samuel 8:1 offers a powerful paradigm for contemporary believers. Just as God empowered David to overcome a generational and formidable enemy, He promises to equip and enable us to confront and subdue the "Philistines" in our own lives—those persistent challenges, spiritual strongholds, ingrained sinful patterns, or external pressures that hinder our walk with Him and oppose His kingdom purposes. This passage calls us to trust implicitly in God's faithfulness to His promises, even when the obstacles seem insurmountable, and to rely not on our own strength or ingenuity but on His divine enablement and sovereign power. It encourages us to engage in spiritual vigilance, strategic prayer, and obedient action, allowing God to "subdue" those areas where we are not fully yielded to His sovereignty. By doing so, we can experience His promised rest, freedom, and the flourishing of His kingdom within us and through us. David's triumph reminds us that God's plan for our lives includes victory over that which seeks to oppress or diminish us, leading to a life of greater freedom, purpose, and alignment with His will.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "Methegammah"?
Answer: "Methegammah" (מֶתֶג הָאַמָּה, Metheg hâ-ʼAmmâh) is a unique and somewhat debated term that literally translates to "bit of the metropolis" or "bridle of the mother city/arm." Most scholars understand it as a symbolic or cryptic designation for a major Philistine city or territory that David conquered, signifying complete control or subjugation. The most widely accepted interpretation, supported by the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 18:1, is that it refers to Gath, one of the five principal Philistine city-states, or its immediate surrounding district. Taking its "bridle" implies that David exerted absolute control over this vital Philistine stronghold, effectively disarming and subduing their power and influence, signifying the end of their long-standing threat.
How does this victory relate to the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7?
Answer: David's victory over the Philistines in 2 Samuel 8:1 is presented as the immediate and direct fulfillment of God's unconditional covenant promises to David in 2 Samuel 7. Specifically, God promised David an eternal dynasty, a secure dwelling place for His people Israel, and that He would establish David's kingdom and give him "rest from all his enemies around you" (2 Samuel 7:9-11). The military campaigns described in 2 Samuel 8, beginning with the Philistines, are the historical outworking of these divine promises. David's success is not merely human achievement but a clear demonstration of God's faithfulness and active hand in establishing His chosen king and securing His people's land, bringing about the promised period of rest and security.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's decisive victory over the Philistines in 2 Samuel 8:1, marking the establishment of his earthly kingdom and the subjugation of Israel's enemies, serves as a powerful type and shadow of the ultimate, eternal reign of Jesus Christ. Just as David, the anointed king, brought rest and security to Israel by defeating its formidable adversaries, so too does Christ, the greater Son of David, usher in a spiritual and eternal kingdom by triumphing over the ultimate enemies of humanity: sin, death, and the devil. David's conquests were temporary and physical, securing an earthly realm; Christ's victory on the cross, however, was decisive and eternal, disarming the spiritual powers and authorities (Colossians 2:15) and destroying the one who has the power of death (Hebrews 2:14-15). He is the true King who brings ultimate peace and rest to His people, not through earthly battles, but through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection. His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), yet it is a kingdom that will have no end (Luke 1:33), and He will reign until all enemies are put under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:25). The "Methegammah" that Christ takes is the very dominion of darkness, establishing His reign over all creation, and His final return will see Him "smite the nations" and rule with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15).