📖 2 Samuel — Chapter 8 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Samuel 8:1 RAnd after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took TMethegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
2 Samuel 8:2 And Rhe 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.
2 Samuel 8:3 David smote also RTHadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
2 Samuel 8:4 And David took Tfrom him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and RDavid houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.
2 Samuel 8:5 RAnd when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
2 Samuel 8:6 Then David put Rgarrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
2 Samuel 8:7 And David took the Rshields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 8:8 And from RBetah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
2 Samuel 8:9 When RToi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
2 Samuel 8:10 Then Toi sent TJoram his son unto king David, to Tsalute him, and Rto bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer Thad wars with Toi. And Joram Tbrought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
2 Samuel 8:11 Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
2 Samuel 8:12 Of RSyria, 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.
2 Samuel 8:13 And David Rgat him a name when he returned from Tsmiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
2 Samuel 8:14 And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and Rall they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
2 Samuel 8:15 And David reigned Rover all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
2 Samuel 8:16 And RJoab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was Trecorder;
2 Samuel 8:17 And RZadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the Tscribe;
2 Samuel 8:18 And RBenaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were Tchief rulers.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 8:1–6 — Victories and the preservation of David
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The chapter summarizes David’s campaigns against surrounding powers. It records harsh ancient warfare as well as God’s preservation of David. Read the report as Israel’s royal history, without converting its military actions into instructions for believers to harm enemies.
Key Truth: Historical descriptions must be read in their setting.
Check What You Remember
1. Which people are subdued in the opening verse? (2 Samuel 8:1)
Find it in 2 Samuel 8:1 (KJV).
2. Who was king of Zobah? (2 Samuel 8:3)
Find it in 2 Samuel 8:3 (KJV).
3. Who preserved David wherever he went? (2 Samuel 8:6)
Find it in 2 Samuel 8:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 8:7–14 — Gifts and spoil dedicated to the LORD
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David brings captured treasures to Jerusalem. Toi sends his son with gifts after David defeats a common enemy. David dedicates silver and gold to the LORD, and his influence extends into Edom. The passage directs attention beyond possessions to the God credited with preserving him.
Key Truth: Success should lead to gratitude rather than self-sufficiency.
Check What You Remember
1. What were Hadadezer’s servants’ shields made of? (2 Samuel 8:7)
Find it in 2 Samuel 8:7 (KJV).
2. Who sent Joram to David? (2 Samuel 8:10)
Find it in 2 Samuel 8:10 (KJV).
3. To whom did David dedicate the treasures? (2 Samuel 8:11)
Find it in 2 Samuel 8:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 8:15–18 — Justice and the work of government
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David reigns over Israel and administers judgment and justice. Named officials carry military, recordkeeping, priestly, and other responsibilities. The account presents governing as practical service, not only battlefield success.
Key Truth: Just treatment of people is a central responsibility of leadership.
Check What You Remember
1. Over whom did David reign? (2 Samuel 8:15)
Find it in 2 Samuel 8:15 (KJV).
2. Who was over the host? (2 Samuel 8:16)
Find it in 2 Samuel 8:16 (KJV).
3. Who was the recorder? (2 Samuel 8:16)
Find it in 2 Samuel 8:16 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Micah 6:8 — This passage brings justice, mercy, and humility together.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How do you use the responsibilities and resources you have? Think of one way to practice justice and gratitude in ordinary decisions.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What recurring explanation accompanies David’s victories?
2. How does Toi respond to news of Hadadezer’s defeat?
3. What does David do with the silver and gold from these nations?
4. What administrative conduct is stated after the victories?
5. How does the closing list distinguish military command from recordkeeping?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation