2 Samuel 8:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he smote {H5221} Moab {H4124}, and measured {H4058} them with a line {H2256}, casting them down {H7901} to the ground {H776}; even with two {H8147} lines {H2256} measured {H4058} he to put to death {H4191}, and with one full {H4393} line {H2256} to keep alive {H2421}. And so the Moabites {H4124} became David's {H1732} servants {H5650}, and brought {H5375} gifts {H4503}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He also defeated Mo'av; making them lie down on the ground, he measured them with a length of cord; for every two lengths to be put to death he designated one length to be kept alive. The people of Mo'av became subjects of David and paid tribute.

Berean Standard Bible

David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

American Standard Version

And he smote Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. And the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 8:2 vividly recounts King David's decisive and severe subjugation of Moab, a long-standing adversary of Israel. Following his initial military triumphs, David implemented a unique and brutal policy of conquest, systematically dividing the Moabite population: two-thirds were executed, while one-third was spared. This act not only solidified David's dominion over the region but also transformed the Moabites into a tributary vassal state, thereby demonstrating David's burgeoning military might and the divinely empowered consolidation of his kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at the outset of [2 Samuel 8](/2_samuel/8 "2 Samuel 8 - David's Victories and Administration"), immediately following David's victory over the Philistines in [2 Samuel 8:1](/2_samuel/8-1 "2 Samuel 8:1 - David's Victory Over the Philistines"). It initiates a crucial series of military campaigns that establish David's regional supremacy. Chapter 8 functions as a pivotal account of David's consolidation of power, meticulously detailing his conquests over various surrounding nations—including Moab, Zobah, Aram, and Edom—all of which contribute to the expansion and security of his nascent kingdom. These sweeping victories are consistently attributed to the Lord's enabling presence, serving as tangible fulfillments of the covenant promises made to David in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). The narrative here shifts dramatically from internal political and religious consolidation to external military expansion, thereby laying the groundwork for the era of prosperity and relative peace that characterized much of David's reign.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Moabites, whose lineage traces back to Lot (as recorded in [Genesis 19:37](/genesis/19-37 "Genesis 19:37 - Origin of Moab and Ammon")), maintained a long and frequently adversarial relationship with Israel. Their history includes the attempt to curse Israel through Balaam ([Numbers 22:6](/numbers/22-6 "Numbers 22:6 - Balak Seeks Balaam's Curse")), oppression of Israel during the period of the Judges under King Eglon ([Judges 3:12-30](/judges/3-12-30 "Judges 3:12-30 - Eglon, King of Moab")), and, paradoxically, offering refuge to David's family during Saul's persecution ([1 Samuel 22:3-4](/1_samuel/22-3-4 "1 Samuel 22:3-4 - David's Family in Moab")). Despite David's own Moabite ancestry through Ruth ([Ruth 4:17](/ruth/4-17 "Ruth 4:17 - Ruth's Lineage to David")), this passage records a definitive and exceptionally severe subjugation. The practice of "measuring with a line" was a method of systematic culling, not entirely uncommon in ancient Near Eastern warfare, though its precise execution varied. It signified absolute control and a deliberate, calculated decision regarding the fate of the conquered population, often employed to prevent future rebellions, establish a clear hierarchy of power, or diminish a rival's strength.
* **Key Themes:** The conquest of Moab, as depicted in this verse, illuminates several profound theological and narrative themes. First, it powerfully underscores **Divine Empowerment and David's Reign**, unequivocally demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness in establishing David's kingdom and fulfilling the promises of the [Davidic Covenant](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). David's military successes are consistently portrayed as divinely orchestrated, securing his throne and extending his influence across the region. Second, the severe judgment meted out upon Moab starkly illustrates the **Consequences of Persistent Hostility** towards God's chosen people. Moab's enduring history of antagonism against Israel culminates in this decisive defeat, serving as a potent reminder of divine judgment against nations that actively oppose God's redemptive purposes. Third, this victory significantly contributes to the **Establishment of Empire**, as David consolidates his control over surrounding territories, transforming Israel from a loose tribal confederation into a formidable regional power with numerous vassal states obligated to pay tribute. This strategic expansion was indispensable for the stability, security, and prosperity of the nascent Israelite kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_ H5221):** This primitive root signifies a decisive, often violent, blow or strike. In a military context, as here, it implies a complete defeat, rout, or crushing blow that invariably results in casualties. The use of _nâkâh_ emphasizes the totality and finality of David's military victory over Moab, indicating not merely a skirmish but a devastating and conclusive act of subjugation.
* **Line (Hebrew, _chebel'_ H2256):** Literally meaning "cord" or "rope," _chebel_ in this context refers to a measuring line. Its application here describes a highly unusual and deliberate method of dealing with the conquered Moabites. The "line" was used as an instrument for systematic division and selection, highlighting David's methodical and calculated approach to conquest and control, rather than a chaotic, indiscriminate slaughter. It represents the means by which the population was apportioned for life or death.
* **To put to death (Hebrew, _mûwth'_ H4191):** This primitive root means "to die" or, causatively, "to kill." In this verse, it explicitly refers to the act of execution. The phrase "measured he to put to death" underscores the deliberate and calculated nature of the culling. It was not an accidental outcome but a direct, intentional act of taking life, applied to a specific proportion of the conquered population, signifying the absolute power David exercised over them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he smote Moab":** This opening clause succinctly states the primary action: David's military conquest of the Moabite nation. It signifies a decisive and complete victory, laying the groundwork for the subsequent, detailed actions described. This establishes David's military prowess and the initial subjugation.
* **"and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground":** This describes the unique and brutal method David employed after the initial military victory. The act of "casting them down to the ground" likely refers to making the Moabite captives lie prostrate, enabling a systematic division using a measuring cord or rope. This was a public, humiliating, and dehumanizing act, emphasizing the Moabites' complete submission, vulnerability, and the absolute authority of the conqueror.
* **"even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive":** This clause precisely clarifies the specific outcome of the "measuring" process. It reveals the stark 2:1 ratio: two-thirds of the Moabite captives were designated for execution ("to put to death"), while one-third were allowed to live ("to keep alive"). The term "full line" for those spared might imply a complete measure of life, emphasizing the deliberate nature of their survival, perhaps to serve as laborers, tribute-payers, or a remnant. This precise division underscores the calculated and severe nature of David's policy, aimed at both punishing the Moabites for their historical enmity and ensuring their future subservience by decimating their fighting capacity.
* **"And [so] the Moabites became David's servants, [and] brought gifts":** This final clause states the immediate and lasting consequence of David's victory and the preceding culling. The surviving Moabites were reduced to the status of a vassal state, obligated to serve David and provide regular tribute ("gifts"). This signifies their complete subjugation, the expansion of David's burgeoning empire, and the establishment of a new political and economic order in the region.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its stark and impactful message. The most prominent is **Synecdoche**, where the "line" (חֶבֶל, _chevel_) stands for the entire, complex, and brutal process of measuring, dividing, and determining the fate of life or death for the Moabite population. This single concrete object encapsulates a horrific act of systematic culling. The text also exemplifies **Narrative Economy**, conveying a profoundly significant and violent event in a remarkably concise and unadorned manner. This brevity, rather than diminishing the impact, forces the reader to infer the full horror and methodical nature of the scene. Furthermore, there is a powerful **Contrast** explicitly delineated by the "two lines" for death and "one full line" for life, highlighting the absolute power David wielded over the conquered and the stark binary of their fate. The imagery, though brief, is vivid and visceral, effectively evoking the harsh realities of ancient warfare and the absolute subjugation of the defeated.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The conquest of Moab, while undeniably brutal by modern ethical standards, is presented within the broader biblical narrative as an integral part of God's sovereign plan to establish David's kingdom and secure Israel's borders. It reflects the concept of divine judgment against nations that had historically and persistently opposed God's chosen people and His redemptive purposes. This victory, alongside others detailed in [2 Samuel 8](/2_samuel/8 "2 Samuel 8 - David's Victories and Administration"), underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises to David, ensuring the stability of his reign and the security of his kingdom. It also illustrates the principle that God utilizes human instruments, even in their severity and within the context of a fallen world, to accomplish His overarching redemptive plan, establishing a secure lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come.

* [Deuteronomy 20:10-18](/deuteronomy/20-10-18 "Laws for Warfare and Conquered Cities")
* [Psalm 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "The Lord's Anointed King")
* [Isaiah 11:14](/isaiah/11-14 "Israel's Triumph Over Neighboring Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The severity of David's actions in 2 Samuel 8:2 can be profoundly challenging for contemporary readers to reconcile with a loving and merciful God. However, understanding this passage necessitates acknowledging the historical context of ancient Near Eastern warfare, where such decisive and often harsh acts were a common, albeit brutal, means of establishing dominance, securing national borders, and preventing future threats. Theologically, this passage serves as a stark reminder of God's sovereignty over nations and His justice, which can manifest in judgment against those who persistently oppose His purposes and people. For believers today, this passage invites profound reflection on the serious consequences of rebellion against God's will and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom. Just as David, as God's anointed, established a secure realm through decisive action, God is continually at work in history, bringing about His ultimate redemptive purposes, even through difficult and morally complex circumstances. It also powerfully foreshadows a greater King who will ultimately subdue all opposition, not through physical lines and executions, but through the transformative power of His cross and resurrection, establishing an eternal kingdom of justice, peace, and righteousness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we reconcile the severity of David's actions against Moab with the character of God as revealed most fully in Christ?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the consequences of resisting God's purposes, both for nations and for individuals?**
* **In what ways do we discern God's sovereignty at work in difficult or violent historical events, even when human actions are morally complex or challenging to our modern sensibilities?**
* **How might David's establishment of a secure earthly kingdom foreshadow the perfect peace and ultimate justice of Christ's eternal reign?**

### FAQ
**Was David's action against Moab morally justifiable?**

Answer: From a modern ethical perspective, David's actions were undeniably brutal and would be considered a war crime today. However, within the context of ancient Near Eastern warfare, such decisive and severe measures were not uncommon for establishing dominance and securing a nation's future. The biblical narrative presents this event as part of God's judgment against Moab, a nation with a long and consistent history of hostility towards Israel, including attempts to curse them through Balaam ([Numbers 22:6](/numbers/22-6 "Numbers 22:6 - Balak Seeks Balaam's Curse")) and oppressing them during the period of the Judges ([Judges 3:12-30](/judges/3-12-30 "Judges 3:12-30 - Eglon, King of Moab")). The text emphasizes God's hand in David's victories (e.g., [2 Samuel 8:6](/2_samuel/8-6 "2 Samuel 8:6 - The Lord Gave David Victory") and [2 Samuel 8:14](/2_samuel/8-14 "2 Samuel 8:14 - The Lord Gave David Victory")), suggesting that these conquests were part of God's sovereign plan to secure Israel's borders and establish David's kingdom as a crucial precursor to the messianic line. While the method is jarring to contemporary sensibilities, the biblical account frames it within the divine prerogative to bring judgment and establish order in a fallen world.

**What does "measured them with a line" actually mean?**

Answer: The phrase "measured them with a line" (Hebrew: _chebel_) refers to a systematic and deliberate method of dividing the conquered Moabite population. While the exact procedure is not explicitly detailed in the text, scholars generally interpret it as the Moabites being made to lie on the ground, and David's forces using a measuring rope or cord to mark off specific groups. The text then specifies the precise ratio: two "lines" (or segments) were designated for execution ("to put to death"), and one "full line" was spared ("to keep alive"). This indicates a precise 2:1 ratio, meaning two-thirds of the captives were put to death, and one-third were allowed to live, likely to become slaves or tribute-payers. This was not a random massacre but a calculated act of subjugation, designed to eliminate potential threats, break the Moabites' power, and ensure complete control over the remaining population, thereby preventing future rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's conquest of Moab, while a historical event rooted in the harsh realities of ancient warfare, powerfully points forward to the ultimate, cosmic victory of a greater King, Jesus Christ. David, as God's anointed king, established his earthly kingdom through military might, subduing formidable enemies and bringing rebellious nations into submission, thereby securing a measure of peace and stability for Israel. This earthly triumph foreshadows Christ, the true Son of David, who establishes His eternal, spiritual kingdom not through physical conquest and the sword, but through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection. He conquers the ultimate enemies: sin, death, and the powers of darkness, triumphing over them publicly ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Just as the Moabites became servants to David, all creation will ultimately bow before Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, acknowledging His supreme authority ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). His reign brings true and lasting peace, not through the extermination of physical foes, but through the radical transformation of hearts and the establishment of a spiritual kingdom where justice, righteousness, and eternal life prevail ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ as Victorious Rider")). David's historical triumph, though marked by severity, is a shadow of Christ's comprehensive victory, where all things are put under His feet ([Hebrews 2:8](/hebrews/2-8 "Hebrews 2:8 - All Things Subject to Christ")), and the last enemy, death itself, is utterly destroyed ([1 Corinthians 15:25-26](/1_corinthians/15-25-26 "1 Corinthians 15:25-26 - Christ's Reign Until All Enemies are Subdued")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 24:17

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Psalms 60:8

Moab [is] my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.

2 Samuel 8:6

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.

1 Samuel 10:27

But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

2 Kings 3:4

And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

2 Kings 3:27

Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him [for] a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to [their own] land.

2 Chronicles 26:8

And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad [even] to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened [himself] exceedingly.