King James Version
What Does 2 Samuel 8:9 Mean?
“When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,”
Context
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.
9
When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
10
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
11
Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
Commentary
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), and was finally captured by Assyria (2Kings 19:13). It is described as “the great” by Amos (6:2), and a considerable town still occupies its site.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 8:9 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 8:9
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge