2 Samuel 8 · Verse 1

2 Samuel 8:1

And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg–ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
2 Samuel 8:1, King James Version

2 Samuel 8:1 in other translations

BSBSome time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines.
WEBAfter this, David struck the Philistines and subdued them; and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.
ASVAnd after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.
YLTAnd it cometh to pass afterwards that David smiteth the Philistines, and humbleth them, and David taketh the bridle of the metropolis out of the hand of the Philistines.
DARBYAnd after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them; and David took the power of the capital out of the hand of the Philistines.
BBEAnd it came about after this that David made an attack on the Philistines and overcame them; and David took the authority of the mother-town from the hands of the Philistines.
WebsterAnd after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

What does 2 Samuel 8:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2Sa 8:1, 2. David Subdues the Philistines, and Makes the Moabites Tributary. 1. David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines--that is, Gath and her suburban towns (1Ch 18:1). That town had been "a bridle" by which the Philistines kept the people of Judah in check. David used it now as a barrier to repress that restless enemy.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

David subdues the Philistines, 2Sam 8:1; and the Moabites, 2Sam 8:2; and the king of Zobah, 2Sam 8:3, 2Sam 8:4; and the Syrians in general, 2Sam 8:5-8. Toi, king of Hamath, sends to congratulate him on his victories over the king of Zobah, and sends him rich presents, 2Sam 8:9-10. David dedicates all the spoils to God, 2Sam 8:11-13. He garrisons Edom, 2Sam 8:14; and reigns over all Israel, 2Sam 8:15. An account of his chief officers, 2Sam 8:16-18. Verse 1 David took Metheg-ammah - This is variously translated. The Vulgate has, Tulit David fraenum tributi, David removed the bondage of the tribute, which the Israelites paid to the Philistines. Some think it means a fortress, city, or strong town; but no such place as Metheg-ammah is known. Probably the Vulgate is nearest the truth. The versions are all different. See the following comparison of the principal passages here collated with the parallel place in 1 Chr: - 2 Samuel 1 Chronicles 2Sam 8:1. - David took Metheg-ammah 2Sam 8:3. David 1Chr 18:1. - David took Gath and her towns. 1Chr 18:3. David smote Hadadezer 2Sam 8:4. And David took from him smote Hadarezer 1Chr 18:4. And David took from him 1000 and 700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot. 1000 chariots, and 7000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot. 2Sam 8:6. Then David put garrisons in Syria 2Sam 8:8. And 1Chr 18:6. Then David put in Syria 1Chr 18:8. And from Betah and Berothai cities of Hadadezer. 2Sam 8:9. from Tibhath and Chun cities of Hadarezer. 1Chr 18:9. When Toi heard that David had smitten When Tou heard that David had smitten Hadadezer 2Sam 8:10. Then Toi sent Joram his son Hadarezer 1Chr 18:10. He sent Hadoram his son 2Sam 8:12-Syria and Moab 2Sam 8:13. - Syrians, in the valley 1Chr 18:11-Edom and Moab 1Chr 18:12. - Edomites, in the valley of salt, 18,000 2Sam 8:17. - Ahimelech - and Seraiah of salt, 18,000 1Chr 18:16. - Abimelech - and Shausha was the scribe. 2Sam 10:16. Shobach the captain was scribe. 1Chr 19:16. Shophach the captain 2Sam 10:17. David passed over Jordan, and came הלאמה 1Chr 19:17. David passed over Jordan and came אלהם to Helam. 2Sam 10:18. David slew 700 upon them 1Chr 19:18. David slew of the Syrians 7000 chariots of the Syrians, and 40,000 horsemen; chariots, and 40,000 footmen; and smote Shobach, etc. and killed Shophach, etc.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Samuel 8:1-8
David subdued the Philistines. They had long been troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles the saints have with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son of David shall tread them all under foot, and make the saints more than conquerors. He smote the Moabites, and made them tributaries to Israel. Two parts he destroyed, the third part he spared. The line that was to keep alive, though it was but one, is ordered to be a full line. Let the line of mercy be stretched to the utmost. He smote the Syrians. In all these wars David was protected, for this in his psalms he often gives glory to God.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

2 Samuel 8:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַֽיְהִי֙vay.Hiand it wasH1961
אַֽחֲרֵי\־'a.cha.rei-afterH310
כֵ֔ןKhenthusH3651
וַיַּ֥ךְvai.Yakhand he defeatedH5221
דָּוִ֛דda.VidDavidH1732
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖יםpe.lish.Tim[the] PhilistinesH6430
וַיַּכְנִיעֵ֑םvai.yakh.ni.'Emand he subdued themH3665
וַיִּקַּ֥חvai.yi.Kachand he tookH3947
דָּוִ֛דda.VidDavidH1732
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
מֶ֥תֶגMe.tegMetheg-H4965
הָאַמָּ֖הha.'a.Mah<the> -ammahH4965
מִיַּ֥דmi.Yadfrom [the] hand ofH3027
פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים\׃pe.lish.Tim[the] PhilistinesH6430

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Samuel 8:1

  • 1 Chronicles 18:1-17

    Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines. And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts. And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates. And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots. …

  • 2 Samuel 7:9

    And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

  • 2 Samuel 21:15-22

    Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint. And Ishbi–benob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel. And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant. …

  • 2 Samuel 2:24

    Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 David subdues the Philistines and the Moabites.
3 He smites Hadadezer, and the Syrians.
9 Toi sends Joram with presents to bless him.
11 The presents and the spoil David dedicates to God.
14 He puts garrisons in Edom.
16 David's officers.

A.M. 2964. B.C. 1040. An. Ex. Is. 451. And after.
7:9; 21:15-22
Metheg-ammah. or, the bridle of Ammah.
2:24; 1Ch 18:1-17
Gath.In the parallel passage of Chronicles, we read, "David took Gath and her towns;" and it is probable, that Gath and its districts were called Metheg-ammah in David's time; which, being unusual or becoming obsolete, in the time of the author of the Chronicles, led him thus to explain it.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Samuel 8:1

    And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg–ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

  • 2 Samuel 8:2

    And he 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.

Read all of 2 Samuel 8

2 Samuel 8:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		DESPUÉS de esto aconteció, que David hirió á los Filisteos, y los humilló: y tomó David á Methegamma de mano de los Filisteos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		*Et il arriva, après cela, que David frappa les Philistins et les subjugua; et David prit Métheg-Amma de la main des Philistins.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und es geschah hernach da schlug David die Philister und demütigte sie; und David nahm den Zaum der Hauptstadt aus der Hand der Philister.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Factum est autem post hæc, percussit David Philisthiim, et humiliavit eos, et tulit David frenum tributi de manu Philisthiim.