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2 Samuel 8:1

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¶ 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.

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}.

Some time afterwards, David attacked the P'lishtim and subdued them; David took Meteg-Amah out of the hands of the P'lishtim.

Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines.

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.

Commentary

2 Samuel 8:1 marks a pivotal moment in King David's reign, signaling the beginning of a sustained period of military conquest and the consolidation of Israel's power under his leadership. This verse highlights David's decisive victory over the Philistines, a long-standing and formidable enemy of Israel.

Context

The phrase "And after this" directly links this verse to the preceding chapter, 2 Samuel 7, where God made an unconditional covenant with David. In this covenant, God promised David an eternal dynasty, a secure dwelling place for His people Israel, and that He would establish David's kingdom. Thus, the military campaigns described in 2 Samuel 8, beginning with the Philistines, are seen as the unfolding fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of David's reign as a dominant regional power. The Philistines, who had troubled Israel for generations, even leading to the death of King Saul (1 Samuel 31:4) and the famous confrontation with Goliath, are now definitively subdued by David.

Key Themes

  • Divine Empowerment and Fulfillment: David's success is not merely due to his military prowess but is a direct result of God's presence and faithfulness to His covenant promises. This victory demonstrates God's commitment to establish David's kingdom and give rest from his enemies.
  • Consolidation of Power: Subduing the Philistines was crucial for Israel's security and for David to truly establish his capital in Jerusalem without constant external threat. This victory laid the groundwork for Israel to become a regional empire.
  • Overcoming Persistent Enemies: The Philistines represented a generational challenge for Israel. David's triumph over them signifies the end of a long period of oppression and the beginning of Israel's ascendancy.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Methegammah" (KJV) is a unique and somewhat debated term. The Hebrew is Metheg ha'Ammah (מֶתֶג הָאַמָּה), which literally translates to "bridle of the cubit" or "bridle of the mother city/arm." Scholars generally understand this to be a symbolic designation for a major Philistine city or territory that David conquered, signifying complete control or subjugation. Many commentaries suggest it refers to Gath, one of the five principal Philistine cities, or its surrounding area. The parallel account in 1 Chronicles 18:1 states that David "took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines," supporting the idea that "Methegammah" refers to Gath or a similar significant Philistine stronghold.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us of God's faithfulness in bringing His plans to pass, even through human leaders. Just as God enabled David to overcome formidable and long-standing enemies, He can empower believers today to face and overcome persistent challenges in their lives. It speaks to the importance of relying on divine strength when confronting obstacles and trusting that God will fulfill His promises. David's decisive actions also highlight the need for spiritual vigilance and strategic engagement against anything that opposes God's purposes in our lives.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 18:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

  • 1 Chronicles 18:17 (4 votes)

    And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was] over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David [were] chief about the king.

  • 2 Samuel 7:9 (2 votes)

    And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great [men] that [are] in the earth.

  • 2 Samuel 2:24 (2 votes)

    Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that [lieth] before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

  • 2 Samuel 21:15 (2 votes)

    ¶ Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.

  • 2 Samuel 21:22 (2 votes)

    These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.