King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 8:4 Mean?

2 Samuel 8:4 in the King James Version says “And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen : and David houghed... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

2 Samuel 8:4 · KJV


Context

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. Hadadezer: or, Hadarezer

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. from: or, of his. chariots: as 1.Chr.18.4

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 wherever he went," attributing success to divine enablement rather than mere military prowess. Theological themes include God's sovereignty over nations, the legitimacy of defensive/offensive warfare under certain circumstances, and proper use of conquered wealth for God's purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 8 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding God granting victory and expansion provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of God granting victory and expansion?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיִּלְכֹּ֨ד1 of 20

took

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

דָּוִד֙2 of 20

and David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מִמֶּ֗נּוּ3 of 20
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אֶ֖לֶף4 of 20

from him a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וּשְׁבַע5 of 20

chariots and seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

מֵ֥אָה6 of 20

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

פָּֽרָשִׁ֔ים7 of 20

horsemen

H6571

a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry

וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים8 of 20

and twenty

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

אֶ֖לֶף9 of 20

from him a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אִ֣ישׁ10 of 20

footmen

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

רַגְלִ֑י11 of 20
H7273

a footman (soldier)

וַיְעַקֵּ֤ר12 of 20

houghed

H6131

to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to exterminate

דָּוִד֙13 of 20

and David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת14 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל15 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רָֽכֶב׃16 of 20

all the chariot

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וַיּוֹתֵ֥ר17 of 20

horses but reserved

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

מִמֶּ֖נּוּ18 of 20
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

מֵ֥אָה19 of 20

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

רָֽכֶב׃20 of 20

all the chariot

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 8:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 8:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study