2 Samuel 8:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} took {H3920} from him a thousand {H505} chariots, and seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} horsemen {H6571}, and twenty {H6242} thousand {H505} footmen {H376}{H7273}: and David {H1732} houghed {H6131} all the chariot {H7393} horses, but reserved {H3498} of them for an hundred {H3967} chariots {H7393}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David captured 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers. He reserved enough horses for 100 chariots and disabled the rest.

Berean Standard Bible

David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

American Standard Version

And David took from him a thousand and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David hocked all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for a hundred chariots.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 8:4 details King David's strategic actions following a decisive victory over Hadadezer, king of Zobah. David captured immense military assets—a thousand chariots, seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen—but critically chose to hamstring the vast majority of the chariot horses, reserving only a hundred. This act was a deliberate display of dependence on God rather than conventional military might, simultaneously disarming a significant threat and affirming a theological principle against the accumulation of earthly power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within 2 Samuel 8, a chapter that serves as a summary of David's military conquests and the consolidation of his kingdom. Following the establishment of Jerusalem as his capital and the reception of God's covenant promises in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), David embarks on a series of campaigns that secure Israel's borders and expand its influence. Verse 1 describes the defeat of the Philistines, and verse 2 details the subjugation of Moab. Verse 3 specifically introduces the conflict with Hadadezer, king of Zobah, as David moved to reassert control over the Euphrates region, a strategic area. Verse 4 then provides the detailed outcome of this particular victory, highlighting the spoils taken and David's unusual, but significant, disposition of the captured horses, which sets the stage for further conquests and the establishment of garrisons mentioned in subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, chariots were the premier offensive weapon, akin to modern tanks. A large chariot force signified immense military power and wealth. Kings typically sought to accumulate as many chariots and horses as possible, both for offense and defense, and as a symbol of prestige. The act of "houghing" or hamstringing horses was a brutal but effective method of rendering them permanently useless for warfare, preventing their re-use by enemies or even by the victor if logistics or divine command dictated. David's campaign against Hadadezer, whose kingdom of Zobah was located in Aram (Syria), was crucial for securing Israel's northern and eastern frontiers and controlling lucrative trade routes towards the Euphrates River, an area that was part of the promised land's ideal boundaries.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to David's reign and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Victory**, as David's military successes are consistently attributed to God's presence and favor, fulfilling the promise in [2 Samuel 7:9](/2_samuel/7-9 "2 Samuel 7:9 - God's Promise to David"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Trust in God over Military Might**. David's deliberate act of disarming the vast majority of captured chariot horses, rather than integrating them into his own army, echoes the Mosaic law's warning against kings multiplying horses for themselves ([Deuteronomy 17:16](/deuteronomy/17-16 "Deuteronomy 17:16 - Warning Against Multiplying Horses")). This decision demonstrates a profound reliance on the Lord for security, aligning with the sentiment expressed in [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord"): "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." Finally, it speaks to **Strategic Disarmament and Consolidation**, as David's actions were not merely symbolic but pragmatic, preventing future threats and ensuring the stability and security of his expanding kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Houghed (Hebrew, _`aqar'_):** This verb (עָקַר) means "to uproot," "to pluck up," or, specifically in this context, "to hamstring." It describes the act of cutting the tendons in the horses' legs, typically the hock or Achilles tendon, rendering them permanently lame and unfit for pulling chariots or for cavalry use. This was a common, albeit severe, military tactic in the ancient world to neutralize an enemy's most powerful asset without having to maintain or feed a vast number of captured animals. David's use of this tactic emphasizes the thoroughness and permanence of his disarmament strategy against Hadadezer's formidable forces.
* **Chariots (Hebrew, _rekeb'_):** The term (רֶכֶב) refers to war chariots, which were the elite fighting vehicles of the ancient world. They were typically two-wheeled, drawn by two or more horses, and carried a driver and an archer or spearman. The presence of "a thousand chariots" indicates the immense power and wealth of Hadadezer's army, making David's victory even more significant. David's decision to hamstring the horses of these chariots, rather than incorporating them into his own army, stands in stark contrast to the typical military expansion strategies of the time and underscores a theological principle of reliance on God, not on conventional military might.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David took from him a thousand [chariots], and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen":** This clause details the immense spoils of war captured from Hadadezer, king of Zobah. The numbers—a thousand chariots, seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen—underscore the formidable nature of Hadadezer's army and, by extension, the magnitude of David's victory. This was not a minor skirmish but a decisive defeat of a major regional power, demonstrating God's hand in empowering David's kingdom.
* **"and David houghed all the chariot [horses]":** This is the pivotal action of the verse. David's command to "hough" (hamstring) the horses of the captured chariots was a strategic and symbolic act. It permanently incapacitated the vast majority of this powerful military asset, preventing Hadadezer from rebuilding his chariot force and reducing the logistical burden of maintaining such a large number of horses. More profoundly, it demonstrated David's intentional choice not to rely on an overwhelming conventional military force, but rather on divine assistance.
* **"but reserved of them [for] an hundred chariots."** This final clause provides the exception to David's general policy of hamstringing. He retained enough horses for one hundred chariots. This reservation was likely for practical purposes, perhaps for rapid transport, pursuit, or for ceremonial duties, without becoming dependent on them as the primary offensive weapon. It shows a balance of strategic pragmatism with a theological principle, acknowledging the utility of some military assets while rejecting an excessive reliance on them.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is prominent, highlighting the stark difference between the immense military might captured (thousands of chariots and men) and David's deliberate act of neutralizing most of it. This action creates a **Symbolism** where chariots and horses, typically representing earthly power and human strength, are rendered impotent, thereby emphasizing reliance on divine power. The sheer numbers mentioned also contribute to a sense of **Hyperbole** (or at least a grand scale), underscoring the overwhelming nature of the victory and the radicalness of David's disarmament. This narrative choice serves to magnify God's role in David's successes and to reinforce the theological message that true security comes from the Lord, not from accumulated military might.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates the biblical theme of divine reliance over human strength, a principle consistently upheld throughout Scripture. David's decision to hamstring the horses, rather than integrating them into his formidable army, directly challenges the conventional wisdom of ancient warfare, where accumulating military assets was paramount. This act serves as a tangible expression of faith, demonstrating that David understood his victories were not due to superior weaponry or numbers, but to the Lord's hand. It foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on spiritual warfare and the kingdom of God operating by divine power rather than worldly means.

* [Deuteronomy 17:16](/deuteronomy/17-16 "Deuteronomy 17:16 - Warning Against Multiplying Horses")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord")
* [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalms/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No King is Saved by the Multitude of an Army")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's radical act of disarming his captured enemy's most potent military asset, even at the cost of increasing his own conventional power, offers a profound lesson for believers today. In a world that often equates security and success with accumulation—whether of wealth, influence, knowledge, or physical strength—this verse calls us to evaluate where our ultimate trust lies. What are the "chariots and horses" in our lives that we are tempted to rely on more than God? Is it our career, our financial portfolio, our social network, our intellectual prowess, or even our health? The call to "hough" these metaphorical assets is a call to intentionally divest ourselves of false securities, to dismantle anything that subtly or overtly competes with our absolute dependence on God. This doesn't mean abandoning responsibility or wisdom, but rather reorienting our hearts to recognize that true strength, peace, and lasting victory flow from God alone, enabling us to live lives of courageous faith rather than anxious self-reliance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "chariots and horses" (i.e., sources of security or power) am I tempted to trust in more than God in my life?**
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to "hough" or intentionally diminish my reliance on worldly resources in order to increase my dependence on Him?**
* **How does David's action challenge my understanding of strength and success in a contemporary context?**

### FAQ
**Why did David hamstring the horses instead of keeping them for his own army?**

Answer: David's decision to hamstring the vast majority of the captured chariot horses was multifaceted. Firstly, it was a pragmatic military strategy to permanently neutralize a powerful enemy asset, preventing Hadadezer or any future foe from rebuilding a formidable chariot force. Maintaining and feeding thousands of horses would also have been a significant logistical burden. More importantly, however, it was a profound theological statement. The Mosaic Law in [Deuteronomy 17:16](/deuteronomy/17-16 "Deuteronomy 17:16 - Warning Against Multiplying Horses") warned future kings of Israel against multiplying horses for themselves, lest they be tempted to rely on military might rather than on God. David, a man after God's own heart, understood that Israel's strength lay in the Lord, not in conventional weaponry. By disarming the horses, he demonstrated his reliance on God's power for victory and security, aligning his actions with divine principles rather than the common military practices of the time. This act echoed the sentiment of [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord"), "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's act of hamstringing the chariot horses in 2 Samuel 8:4, rather than accumulating them for his own army, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the Christ-centered nature of God's ultimate kingdom. Unlike earthly kings who build their empires on military might and conventional power, Jesus Christ establishes His kingdom not by the sword or by overwhelming force, but through humility, sacrifice, and spiritual authority. The prophet Zechariah foretold that the King would come "riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" ([Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - The Coming King")), a stark contrast to the chariots and warhorses of earthly rulers. Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem ([Matthew 21:5](/matthew/21-5 "Matthew 21:5 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry")) fulfilled this prophecy, demonstrating that His kingdom is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). He disarmed the principalities and powers, not by physical force, but by His death on the cross, triumphing over them in it ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Just as David chose to rely on God over chariots, so too does the New Covenant call believers to trust in the spiritual power of Christ's finished work, rather than in the fleeting strengths of this world, for our true victory and security are found in the Lamb who was slain, not in the might of horses and chariots ([Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - Worthy is the Lamb")).

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

Joshua 11:6

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

Joshua 11:9

And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

1 Kings 10:26

And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 18:4

And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot [horses], but reserved of them an hundred chariots.

Psalms 20:7

Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Deuteronomy 17:16

But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

Psalms 33:16

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.