King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 8:6 Mean?

2 Samuel 8:6 in the King James Version says “Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Samuel 8:6 · KJV


Context

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.

8

And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 18 words
וַיָּ֨שֶׂם1 of 18

put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

דָּוִ֔ד2 of 18

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

נְצִבִים֙3 of 18

garrisons

H5333

something stationary, i.e., a prefect, a military post, a statue

אֲרָם֙4 of 18

and 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

דַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק5 of 18

of Damascus

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

וַתְּהִ֤י6 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אֲרָם֙7 of 18

and 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

דָּוִ֔ד8 of 18

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לַֽעֲבָדִ֖ים9 of 18

became servants

H5650

a servant

נֽוֹשְׂאֵ֣י10 of 18

and brought

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

מִנְחָ֑ה11 of 18

gifts

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וַיֹּ֤שַׁע12 of 18

preserved

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

יְהוָה֙13 of 18

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת14 of 18
H853

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

דָּוִ֔ד15 of 18

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

בְּכֹ֖ל16 of 18
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר17 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָלָֽךְ׃18 of 18

whithersoever he went

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)


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 8:6 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 8:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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