81 Now after this it came about that David defeated the Philistines and subdued them; and David took control of the chief city from the hand of the Philistines . 2 He defeated Moab , and measured them with the line , making them lie down on the ground ; and he measured two lines to put to death and one full line to keep alive . And the Moabites became servants to David , bringing tribute . 3 Then David defeated Hadadezer , the son of Rehob king of Zobah , as he went to restore his rule at the River . 4 David captured from him 1,700 e e horsemen and 20,000 e foot soldiers e ; and David hamstrung the chariot horses , but reserved enough of them for 100 chariots . 5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer , king of Zobah , David killed 22,000 e e Arameans . 6 Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus , and the Arameans became servants to David , bringing tribute . And the Lord helped David wherever e he went . 7 David took the shields of gold which were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem . 8 From Betah and from Berothai , cities of Hadadezer , King David took a very large amount of bronze .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 8:1-8
Commentary on 2 Samuel 8:1-8.
(Read 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.