About 2 Samuel

2 Samuel chronicles David's reign, including his triumphs, his sin with Bathsheba, and the consequences that followed, yet God's covenant with him remains.

Author: Nathan, GadWritten: c. 1000-900 BCReading time: ~2 minVerses: 18
Davidic CovenantSin and ConsequencesGraceKingdomRepentanceLeadership

King James Version

2 Samuel 8

18 verses with commentary

David's Military Victories

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. Methegammah: or, the bridle of Ammah

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial boundar...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(1) **Subdued them.**—In its connection this implies not merely the victory of a single battle, but the reversal of the former relation of the Philistines to Israel, and their reduction to a condition of inferiority and tribute. **Took Metheg-ammah.**—No place of this name is known. The first word means *bridle, *and the other is probably, although not certainly, a derivation from the word *mother...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6. Ziklag--**Though originally assigned to Judah (Jos 15:31), and subsequently to Simeon (Jos 19:5), this town had never been possessed by the Israelites. It belonged to the Philistines, who gave it to David.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline David subdues the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Syrians.(1-8) The spoil dedicated.(9-14) David's government and officers.(15-18) **Verses 1-8** David subdued the Philistines. They had long been troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles the saints have with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son o...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campai...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **He smote Moab.**—David’s former friendly relations with Moab (probably connected with his own descent from Ruth), are mentioned in 1Samuel 22:3-4. The cause of his entire change of bearing towards them is not certainly known, but according to Jewish tradition the Moabites had proved false to their trust, and had put to death David’s father and mother. This is not unlikely, as his parents are...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline David subdues the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Syrians.(1-8) The spoil dedicated.(9-14) David's government and officers.(15-18) **Verses 1-8** David subdued the Philistines. They had long been troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles the saints have with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son o...
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David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. Hadadezer: or, Hadarezer

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial boundaries. The Hebrew emphasizes tha...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **Hadadezer . . . king of Zobah.**—This name is sometimes (1Chronicles 18:3; 1Chronicles 18:5; 1Chronicles 18:7, &c.) spelt “Hadarezer,” the letters *d *and *r *being much alike in Hebrew and easily confused; but the form given here is right, *Hadad *being the chief idol of the Syrians. Zobah (called in the title of Psalms 60 Aram-Zobah) was a kingdom, the position of which cannot be exactly d...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**8. David ... went up, and invaded the Geshurites--**(See Jos 13:2). **and the Gezrites--**or the Gerizi [Gesenius], (Jos 12:12), some Arab horde which had once encamped there. **and the Amalekites--**Part of the district occupied by them lay on the south of the land of Israel (Jud 5:14; 12:15).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline David subdues the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Syrians.(1-8) The spoil dedicated.(9-14) David's government and officers.(15-18) **Verses 1-8** David subdued the Philistines. They had long been troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles the saints have with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son o...
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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. from: or, of his. chariots: as 1.Chr.18.4

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genes...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **A thousand chariots.**—The word *chariots *has evidently dropped out of the text here, but is rightly inserted, following the LXX. and 1 Chron.; 700 horsemen should also be changed to 7,000, in accordance with 1 Chron., this being a more fitting proportion to 20,000 infantry in the plains of Syria, and the difference being only in two dots over the letter marking the numeral in Hebrew. **Hou...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline David subdues the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Syrians.(1-8) The spoil dedicated.(9-14) David's government and officers.(15-18) **Verses 1-8** David subdued the Philistines. They had long been troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles the saints have with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son o...
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And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial boundaries. The Hebrew emp...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **Syrians of Damascus.**—So called from their capital, this being the most powerful branch of the Syrian race. **Two and twenty thousand men.**—Josephus (*Ant. vii.* 5, § 2) quotes from the historian Nicolaus a mention of the defeat of Hadad at this place by David.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10. Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to-day?--**that is, raid, a hostile excursion for seizing cattle and other booty. **David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites--**Jerahmeel was the great-grandson of Judah, and his posterity occupied the southern portion of that tribal domain. **the south of the Kenites--**the posterity of Jethro, who occupi...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline David subdues the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Syrians.(1-8) The spoil dedicated.(9-14) David's government and officers.(15-18) **Verses 1-8** David subdued the Philistines. They had long been troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles the saints have with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son o...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territo...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **Garrisons.**—The primary meaning of this word in the original is something *placed, *and then *placed over. *Hence it comes to have the different derived meanings of *officer *in 1Kings 4:5; 1Kings 4:19; 2Chronicles 8:10, and *garrison *(1Samuel 10:5; 1Samuel 13:3), which is probably its meaning here.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline David subdues the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Syrians.(1-8) The spoil dedicated.(9-14) David's government and officers.(15-18) **Verses 1-8** David subdued the Philistines. They had long been troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles the saints have with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son o...
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And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial boundaries. The Hebrew emphasizes that "the LORD ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **Shields of gold.**—Solomon also “made shields of gold” (1Kings 10:17), which appear to have been a mark of oriental magnificence. Solomon’s shields were ultimately carried off by Shishak (1Kings 14:25-28). The LXX. has here a curious addition, saying that Shishak carried off the shields which David captured, a manifest error, since those were made by Solomon.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline David subdues the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Syrians.(1-8) The spoil dedicated.(9-14) David's government and officers.(15-18) **Verses 1-8** David subdued the Philistines. They had long been troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles the saints have with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son o...
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And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial boundaries. The Hebrew emphasizes that "the LORD gave David v...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) **Betah and from Berothai.**—There is no satisfactory clue to the situation of these places. For Betah 1Chronicles 18:8 has *Tibhath *in the Hebrew, a mere transposition of the letters; and for Berothai, *Chun. *Berothah is mentioned in Ezekiel 47:16, as on the boundary of Palestine between Hamath and Sibraim. It is said in 1Chronicles 18:8, that “Solomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 8 Chapter Outline David subdues the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Syrians.(1-8) The spoil dedicated.(9-14) David's government and officers.(15-18) **Verses 1-8** David subdued the Philistines. They had long been troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles the saints have with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son o...
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When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial boundaries. The Hebrew emphasizes that "the LORD gave David victory whereve...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **Toi king of Hamath.**—The Vatican LXX. has the name, in accordance with Chron., *Tau. *Hamath, the capital of the kingdom of the same name, was situated on the Orontes. According to 1Chronicles 18:3. David’s victory was on the borders of this kingdom. It was tributary to Solomon (1Kings 4:24, 2Chronicles 8:3-4), subsequently became independent, and was recovered by Jeroboam II. (2Kings 14:28...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 28 1Sa 28:1-6. Achish's Confidence in David. **1. The Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel--**The death of Samuel, the general dissatisfaction with Saul, and the absence of David, instigated the cupidity of those restless enemies of Israel. **Achish said to David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle--**This was evident...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-14** All the precious things David was master of, were dedicated things; they were designed for building the temple. The idols of gold David destroyed, 2Sa 5:21, but the vessels of gold he dedicated. Thus, in the conquest of a soul by the grace of the Son of David, what stands in opposition to God must be destroyed, every lust must be mortified and crucified, but what may glorify hi...
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Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass: salute: Heb. ask him of peace had wars: Heb. was a man of wars with brought: Heb. in his hand were

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion....
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **Joram**=Hadoram, 1Chronicles 18:10. Joram is probably the Jewish form of the same name. An embassy headed by the king’s son was an especially honourable one. The occasion was David’s conquest of Toi’s neighbour and constant enemy, and the large presents sent by him have something of the character of tribute. The phrase “to bless him,” is simply equivalent to “congratulate him,” by which the...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**2. Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do--**This answer, while it seemed to express an apparent cheerfulness in agreeing to the proposal, contained a studied ambiguity--a wary and politic generality. **Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever--**or, "my life"; that is, "captain of my bodyguard," an office of great trust and high honor.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-14** All the precious things David was master of, were dedicated things; they were designed for building the temple. The idols of gold David destroyed, 2Sa 5:21, but the vessels of gold he dedicated. Thus, in the conquest of a soul by the grace of the Son of David, what stands in opposition to God must be destroyed, every lust must be mortified and crucified, but what may glorify hi...
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Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial boundaries. The Hebrew em...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **Which also.**—The dedication of the gifts of Toi is especially mentioned, because these were not, like those of 2Samuel 8:7; 2Samuel 8:11-12, the spoils of *conquered *nations. David, forbidden himself to build the temple, makes every provision possible for its erection.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3. Now Samuel is dead, &amp;c.--**This event is here alluded to as affording an explanation of the secret and improper methods by which Saul sought information and direction in the present crisis of his affairs. Overwhelmed in perplexity and fear, he yet found the common and legitimate channels of communication with Heaven shut against him. And so, under the impulse of that dark, distempered, su...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-14** All the precious things David was master of, were dedicated things; they were designed for building the temple. The idols of gold David destroyed, 2Sa 5:21, but the vessels of gold he dedicated. Thus, in the conquest of a soul by the grace of the Son of David, what stands in opposition to God must be destroyed, every lust must be mortified and crucified, but what may glorify hi...
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Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial bou...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) **Of Syria.**—1Chronicles 18:11 reads Edom. The two names differing in the original only by one very similar letter (the *d *and r, which are so often confused), it might be supposed that one was an error for the other, were it not that both were actually conquered and the spoils of both dedicated by David, Syria is spoken of here because Edom has not yet been mentioned, and the account of it...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4. the Philistines ... pitched in Shunem--**Having collected their forces for a last grand effort, they marched up from the seacoast and encamped in the "valley of Jezreel." The spot on which their encampment was fixed was Shunem (Jos 19:18), now Sulem, a village which still exists on the slope of a range called "Little Hermon." On the opposite side, on the rise of Mount Gilboa, hard by "the spr...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-14** All the precious things David was master of, were dedicated things; they were designed for building the temple. The idols of gold David destroyed, 2Sa 5:21, but the vessels of gold he dedicated. Thus, in the conquest of a soul by the grace of the Son of David, what stands in opposition to God must be destroyed, every lust must be mortified and crucified, but what may glorify hi...
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And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men. smiting: Heb. his smiting

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial boundaries. The Hebrew emphasizes...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(13) **When he returned from smiting of the Syrians.**—Possibly, from the similarity in the original between *Syria *and *Edom *(see 2Samuel 8:3; 2Samuel 8:12), the words “he smote Edom” have dropped out of the text, but this supposition is not necessary. The course of affairs appears to have been as follows:—the war was originally undertaken against the Ammonites (2Samuel 10:1-12), who had obtain...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-14** All the precious things David was master of, were dedicated things; they were designed for building the temple. The idols of gold David destroyed, 2Sa 5:21, but the vessels of gold he dedicated. Thus, in the conquest of a soul by the grace of the Son of David, what stands in opposition to God must be destroyed, every lust must be mortified and crucified, but what may glorify hi...
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And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding t...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 9-14** All the precious things David was master of, were dedicated things; they were designed for building the temple. The idols of gold David destroyed, 2Sa 5:21, but the vessels of gold he dedicated. Thus, in the conquest of a soul by the grace of the Son of David, what stands in opposition to God must be destroyed, every lust must be mortified and crucified, but what may glorify hi...
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David's Officials

And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial boundaries. The Hebrew emphasizes that "the LORD gave David...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7-8. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit--**From the energetic measures which he himself had taken for extirpating the dealers in magical arts (the profession having been declared a capital offense), his most attached courtiers might have had reason to doubt the possibility of gratifying their master's wish. Anxious inquiries, however, led to the discove...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 15-18** David neither did wrong, nor denied or delayed right to any. This speaks his close application to business; also his readiness to admit all addresses and appeals made to him. He had no respect of persons in judgment. Herein he was a type of Christ. To Him let us submit, his friendship let us seek, his service let us count our pleasure, diligently attending to the work he assig...
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And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; recorder: or, remembrancer, or, writer of chronicles

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial boundaries. The Hebrew emphasizes that "the LORD gave David ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **Was recorder.**—This was a different office from that of “the scribe” (filled by Seraiah), and appears from 2Kings 18:18-37; 2Chronicles 34:8, to have been one of considerable importance. (Comp. also Esther 6:1.) His duty is supposed to have been something like that of the modern “chancellor,” and he not only registered the king’s decrees, but was his adviser. The same person continued to f...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7-8. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit--**From the energetic measures which he himself had taken for extirpating the dealers in magical arts (the profession having been declared a capital offense), his most attached courtiers might have had reason to doubt the possibility of gratifying their master's wish. Anxious inquiries, however, led to the discove...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 15-18** David neither did wrong, nor denied or delayed right to any. This speaks his close application to business; also his readiness to admit all addresses and appeals made to him. He had no respect of persons in judgment. Herein he was a type of Christ. To Him let us submit, his friendship let us seek, his service let us count our pleasure, diligently attending to the work he assig...
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And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe; scribe: or, secretary

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial boundaries. The Hebrew emphasizes that "the L...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(17) **Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar.**—So Ahimelech is also described in 1Chronicles 18:16; 1Chronicles 24:6; on the other hand, Abiathar is expressly said to be the son of Ahimelech in the narrative in 1Samuel 22:20-23. This difficulty is increased by the further notices of the men bearing these names. Ahimelech was certainly the high priest who gave the shew-bread to David, and was slain in co...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7-8. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit--**From the energetic measures which he himself had taken for extirpating the dealers in magical arts (the profession having been declared a capital offense), his most attached courtiers might have had reason to doubt the possibility of gratifying their master's wish. Anxious inquiries, however, led to the discove...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 15-18** David neither did wrong, nor denied or delayed right to any. This speaks his close application to business; also his readiness to admit all addresses and appeals made to him. He had no respect of persons in judgment. Herein he was a type of Christ. To Him let us submit, his friendship let us seek, his service let us count our pleasure, diligently attending to the work he assig...
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And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers. chief rulers: or, princes

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Military Victories, emphasizing God granting victory and expansion. David's military campaigns demonstrate God's promise-keeping (Genesis 15:18-21) regarding territorial boundaries. The Hebrew emphasizes tha...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(18) **The Cherethites and the Pelethites.**—These bodies of men, here mentioned for the first time, afterwards appear frequently, constituting the most trusted part of the king’s army, and forming his especial body-guard (2Samuel 15:18; 2Samuel 20:7; 2Samuel 20:23; 1Kings 1:38; 1Kings 1:44; 1Chronicles 18:17). Benaiah, who commanded them, a hero from Kabzeel (2Samuel 23:20), was afterwards promot...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7-8. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit--**From the energetic measures which he himself had taken for extirpating the dealers in magical arts (the profession having been declared a capital offense), his most attached courtiers might have had reason to doubt the possibility of gratifying their master's wish. Anxious inquiries, however, led to the discove...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 15-18** David neither did wrong, nor denied or delayed right to any. This speaks his close application to business; also his readiness to admit all addresses and appeals made to him. He had no respect of persons in judgment. Herein he was a type of Christ. To Him let us submit, his friendship let us seek, his service let us count our pleasure, diligently attending to the work he assig...
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