King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 8:5 Mean?

2 Samuel 8:5 in the King James Version says “And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thous...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.”

2 Samuel 8:5 · KJV

Context

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.

7

And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

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.

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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 · 14 words
וַתָּבֹא֙1 of 14

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בַּֽאֲרָ֔ם2 of 14

“And when the Syrians”

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

דַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק3 of 14

“of Damascus”

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

לַעְזֹ֕ר4 of 14

“to succour”

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

לַֽהֲדַדְעֶ֖זֶר5 of 14

“Hadadezer”

H1909

hadadezer, a syrian king, possibly a royal title

מֶ֣לֶךְ6 of 14

“king”

H4428

a king

צוֹבָ֑ה7 of 14

“of Zobah”

H6678

zoba or zobah, a region of syria

וַיַּ֤ךְ8 of 14

“slew”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

דָּוִד֙9 of 14

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

בַּֽאֲרָ֔ם10 of 14

“And when the Syrians”

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

עֶשְׂרִֽים11 of 14

“and twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וּשְׁנַ֥יִם12 of 14

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֶ֖לֶף13 of 14

“thousand”

H505

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

אִֽישׁ׃14 of 14

“men”

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)

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 8:5 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 8:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 11:23-25Job 9:13Psalms 83:4-81 Chronicles 18:5-6Isaiah 7:8Isaiah 31:3

Places in This Verse

DamascusSettlement · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E58 verses across 15 books
Syria 1Region · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E89 verses across 10 books
ZobahRegion · Modern: Brital · 33.94°N, 36.15°E14 verses across 5 books
View all places in 2 Samuel 8 →

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