Back to 2 Samuel 8

2 Samuel 8:3-13

David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River. David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand footmen. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots. When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck twenty two thousand men of the Syrians. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took a great quantity of bronze. When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer, then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze. King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued; of Syria, of Moab, of the children of Ammon, of the Philistines, of Amalek, and of the plunder of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt.

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2 Samuel 8:3-13 sits inside this longer paragraph.

After this, David struck the Philistines and subdued them; and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines. He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute. David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River. David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand footmen. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots. When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck twenty two thousand men of the Syrians. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took a great quantity of bronze. When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer, then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze. King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued; of Syria, of Moab, of the children of Ammon, of the Philistines, of Amalek, and of the plunder of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons in Edom. Throughout all Edom, he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people. Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, Seraiah was scribe, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were chief ministers.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.

    David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand footmen. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots.

    When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck twenty two thousand men of the Syrians.

    Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.

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

    From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took a great quantity of bronze.

    When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer,

    then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze.

    King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued;

    of Syria, of Moab, of the children of Ammon, of the Philistines, of Amalek, and of the plunder of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

    David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt.

  • KJV King James Version

    David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

    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.

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

    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.

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

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

    When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

    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:

    Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;

    Of Syria, 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.

    And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    David smote also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to establish his dominion at the river Euphrates.

    And David took from him a thousand and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for a hundred chariots.

    And when the Arameans of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David smote of the Arameans two and twenty thousand men.

    Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus; and the Arameans became servants to David, and brought presents. And the LORD gave victory to David whithersoever he went.

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

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

    And when Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

    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 he brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass.

    These also did king David dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued:

    of Aram, 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.

    And David got him a name when he returned from smiting the Arameans in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.

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Cross-references (83)

  • 2 Samuel 8:14 (v6) He put garrisons in Edom. Throughout all Edom, he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to…
  • 2 Samuel 10:14 (v12) When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned…
  • 1 Samuel 14:47 (v3) Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of…
  • 1 Kings 7:51 (v11) Thus all the work that king Solomon did in Yahweh’s house was finished. Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated,…
  • 2 Kings 14:7 (v13) He killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and took Sela by war, and called its name Joktheel, to this day.
Show all 79 cross-references
  • 2 Samuel 7:9 (vv6, 13) I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of…
  • Joshua 11:6 (v4) Yahweh said to Joshua, “Don’t be afraid because of them; for tomorrow at this time, I will deliver them up all slain before Israel. You…
  • Joshua 11:9 (v4) Joshua did to them as Yahweh told him. He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.
  • 1 Samuel 13:10 (v10) It came to pass that as soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he…
  • 2 Samuel 10:16 (v3) Hadadezer sent, and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the River: and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the army of…
  • 2 Samuel 10:19 (v3) When all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them.…
  • 1 Kings 11:23-25 (v5) God raised up an adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah. He gathered men to himself,…
  • 1 Chronicles 18:10 (v10) he sent Hadoram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him (for…
  • Psalms 129:8 (v10) Neither do those who go by say, “The blessing of Yahweh be on you. We bless you in Yahweh’s name.”
  • 2 Samuel 8:2 (vv6, 12) He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one…
  • 1 Chronicles 18:11 (vv11–12) King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, from Moab,…
  • Genesis 43:27 (v10) He asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?”
  • 2 Samuel 10:6 (v3) When the children of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and…
  • 1 Kings 1:47 (v10) Moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and…
  • 1 Kings 8:65 (v9) So Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel with him, a great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt,…
  • 1 Chronicles 18:3 (v3) David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
  • 1 Chronicles 18:8 (v8) From Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took very much bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze sea, the pillars, and the…
  • 1 Chronicles 18:12 (v13) Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah struck eighteen thousand of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:26-28 (v11) This Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers’…
  • 2 Chronicles 8:4 (v9) He built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the storage cities, which he built in Hamath.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:2 (v6) He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his…
  • Psalms 18:34-46 (v6) He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand…
  • Psalms 140:7 (v6) Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
  • Psalms 144:1-2 (v6) Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to battle: my loving kindness, my fortress, my high tower, my…
  • Isaiah 39:1 (v10) At that time, Merodach Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he heard that he had been…
  • Psalms 60:1 (vv3, 13) God, you have rejected us. You have broken us down. You have been angry. Restore us, again.
  • Genesis 15:18 (v3) In that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I have given this land to your offspring, from the river of Egypt to the great…
  • Exodus 23:31 (v3) I will set your border from the Red Sea even to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River; for I will deliver the…
  • Deuteronomy 11:24 (v3) Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates,…
  • Deuteronomy 17:16 (v4) Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he may multiply horses; because…
  • 1 Samuel 13:3 (v6) Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the…
  • 1 Samuel 14:1 (v6) Now it fell on a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come! Let’s go over to the Philistines’…
  • 1 Samuel 14:6 (v6) Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come! Let’s go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that Yahweh will…
  • 1 Samuel 14:15 (v6) There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison, and the raiders, also trembled; and the earth…
  • 1 Samuel 27:8 (v12) David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for those were the inhabitants of the land, who were…
  • 1 Samuel 30:20 (v12) David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drove before those other livestock, and said, “This is David’s plunder.”
  • 2 Samuel 3:18 (v6) Now then do it; for Yahweh has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel out of the hand of…
  • 2 Samuel 5:17-25 (v12) When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David, but David heard about…
  • 2 Samuel 8:3 (v5) David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.
  • 2 Samuel 10:11 (v12) He said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will…
  • 2 Samuel 12:26-31 (v12) Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. Joab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought…
  • 2 Samuel 23:14 (v6) David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
  • 1 Kings 4:21 (v3) Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and…
  • 1 Kings 10:16-17 (v7) King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred shekels of gold went to one buckler. he made three hundred shields of…
  • 1 Kings 10:26 (v4) Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he kept in…
  • 1 Kings 11:23-24 (v3) God raised up an adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah. He gathered men to himself,…
  • 1 Kings 14:26-27 (v7) and he took away the treasures of Yahweh’s house, and the treasures of the king’s house. He even took away all of it, including all the…
  • 1 Chronicles 18:4 (v4) David took from him one thousand chariots, seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David hamstrung all the chariot…
  • 1 Chronicles 18:5-6 (v5) When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck twenty-two thousand men of the Syrians. Then David put…
  • 1 Chronicles 18:7 (v7) David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
  • 1 Chronicles 18:9 (v9) When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah,
  • 1 Chronicles 18:13 (v6) He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
  • 1 Chronicles 22:14 (v8) Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for Yahweh’s house one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and…
  • 1 Chronicles 22:14-16 (v11) Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for Yahweh’s house one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and…
  • 1 Chronicles 22:16 (v8) of the gold, the silver, the bronze, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and may Yahweh be with you.”
  • 1 Chronicles 29:2 (v11) Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, the…
  • 1 Chronicles 29:7 (v8) and they gave for the service of God’s house of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand darics, of silver ten thousand talents, of…
  • 2 Chronicles 4:1-18 (v8) Then he made an altar of bronze, twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high. Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits…
  • 2 Chronicles 9:15-16 (v7) King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold. Six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one buckler. He made three hundred…
  • 2 Chronicles 25:11 (v13) Amaziah took courage, and led his people out, and went to the Valley of Salt, and struck ten thousand of the children of Seir.
  • Job 9:13 (v5) “God will not withdraw his anger. The helpers of Rahab stoop under him.
  • Psalms 5:11-12 (v6) But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name…
  • Psalms 20:7 (v4) Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of Yahweh our God.
  • Psalms 33:16-17 (v4) There is no king saved by the multitude of an army. A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain thing for safety,…
  • Psalms 72:8 (v3) He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.
  • Psalms 83:4-8 (v5) “Come,” they say, “let’s destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” For they have conspired together…
  • Psalms 121:7-8 (v6) Yahweh will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul. Yahweh will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward, and…
  • Proverbs 21:31 (v6) The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.
  • Isaiah 7:8 (v5) For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim shall be broken in pieces, so that it…
  • Isaiah 8:9-10 (v5) Make an uproar, you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Listen, all you from far countries: dress for battle, and be shattered! Dress for…
  • Isaiah 31:3 (v5) Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When Yahweh stretches out his hand, both he who helps shall…
  • Ezekiel 47:16 (v8) Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazer Hatticon, which is by the border of…
  • Amos 6:2 (v9) Go to Calneh, and see; and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. are they better than these kingdoms?…
  • Micah 4:13 (v11) Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion; for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs bronze; and you will beat in pieces many…

79 distinct cross-references across this passage (83 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (19 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 Hebrew, Perath.

Hebrew, Perath.

Or, enlarge.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv3–13 2Sa 8:3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 Hadadezer, called Hadarezer, 1Ch 18:3, the Hebrew letters daleth…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v9 Here is, 1. The court made to David by…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv3–13 And David also smote Hadadezer the son of Rehob,…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 5, 7, 8 As he went - David, remembering the grant which…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13 Verse 3. David smote - Hadadezer] He is supposed…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 2Sa 8:3. King of Zobah — Zobah was a…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 Hadadezer - Not (see the margin) Hadarezer. Hadadezer, is…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 Adarezer. He is styled Adadezer in Hebrew and this…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv3, 9, 10, 11, 13 HE SMITES HADADEZER AND THE SYRIANS. (Sa2 8:3-14)
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 3. Smote also Hadadezer — In 2Sa_10:16; 2Sa_10:19 and…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 3–8. Conquest of Zobah and Damascus
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv3–13 (3) Hadadezer . . . king of Zobah.—This name…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv3–13 Hadadezer. The name is spelt Hadarezer in 2Sa_10:16 1Ch_18:3,…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v6 And David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v9 David’s Prestige Recognized
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 David then defeated Hadadezer
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13 8:3 Hadadezer reappears in 10:16 as David’s foe. He…
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