David’s victories, and his chief officers.
Diuers nations and countries to which Israel payed tribute, are subdued by Dauid, and pay tribute to Israel 16. Chief officers are mentioned.
1And it came to pass after this that David defeated the Philistines, and brought them down, and David took the bridle of tribute out of the hand of the Philistines,Dopo di ciò Davidde sconfisse i Filistei e gli umiliò, e tolse di mano a' Filistei il freno del tributo.AND it came to passe after these thinges Dauid stroke the Philistijms, and humbled them, and Dauid tooke the Bridle of tribute out of the hand of the PhilistijmsFactum est autem post hæc, percussit David Philisthiim, et humiliavit eos, et tulit David frenum tributi de manu Philisthiim. 2And he defeated Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the earth: and he measured with two lines, one to put to death, and one to save alive: and Moab was made to serve David under tribute.E sconfisse i Moabiti, e distesi per terra li misurò colla corda: e di due corde di misura l'una menava alla morte, l'altra alla vita. E i Moabiti divennero servi, e tributarii di Davidde.And he stroke Moab, and measured them with a corde, making them euen with the earth and he measured two cordes, one to kil, and one to saue aliue: and Moab became seruing Dauid vnder tribute.Et percussit Moab, et mensus est eos funiculo, coæquans terræ: mensus est autem duos funiculos, unum ad occidendum, et unum ad vivificandum: factusque est Moab David serviens sub tributo. 3David defeated also Adarezer the son of Rohob king of Soba, when he went to extend his dominion over the river Euphrates.Parimente Davidde sconfisse Adarezer figliuolo di Rohob, re di Soba, allorché si mosse per conquistare il paese fino al fiume Eufrate.And Dauid stroke Adarezer the sonne of Rohob king of Soba, when he went forth to haue dominion ouer the riuer Euphrates.Et percussit David Adarezer filium Rohob regem Soba, quando profectus est ut dominaretur super flumen Euphraten. 4And David took from him a thousand and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen, and houghed all the chariot horses: and only reserved of them for one hundred chariots.E David fece prigionieri mille settecento de' suoi cavalieri, e venti mila pedoni, e tagliò i garetti a tutti i cavalli de' cocchi, e di quei cocchi ne riserbò cento.And Dauid hauing taken of his part a thousand seuen hundred horsemen, and twentie thosand footemen, hogh sinewed al the chariot horses: and he leift of them a hundred chariotes.Et captis David ex parte ejus mille septingentis equitibus, et viginti millibus peditum, subnervavit omnes jugales curruum: dereliquit autem ex eis centum currus.
5And the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Adarezer the king of Soba: and David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.E i Siri di Damasco si mossero per dare ajuto ad Adarezer re di Soba: e David uccise ventidue mila Siri.There came also Syria of Doma•cus, to bring ayde vnto Adar ezer the king of Soba: and Dauid stroke of Syria two and twentie thousand men.Venit quoque Syria Damasci, ut præsidium ferret Adarezer regi Soba: et percussit David de Syria viginti duo millia virorum. 6And David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and Syria served David under tribute, and the Lord preserved David in all his enterprises, whithersoever he went.E pose David presidio nella Siria di Damasco: e la Siria fu serva, e tributaria di David: e il Signore conservò David in tutti i luoghi dove andò.And Dauid put a garrison in Syria of Damascus: and Syria became seruing Dauid vnder tribute: and our Lord preserued Dauid in al thinges to whatsoeuer he went forth.Et posuit David præsidium in Syria Damasci: factaque est Syria David serviens sub tributo: servavitque Dominus David in omnibus ad quæcumque profectus est. 7And David took the arms of gold, which the servants of Adarezer wore and brought them to Jerusalem.E prese David le armi d'oro che avevano i cortigiani di Adarezer, e portolle a Gerusalemme.And Dauid tooke the golden armour, which the seruantes of Adarezer had, and brought them into Ierusalem.Et tulit David arma aurea quæ habebant servi Adarezer, et detulit ea in Jerusalem. 8And out of Bete, and out of Beroth, cities of Adarezer, king David took an exceeding great quantity of brass.E quantità grandissima di rame portò via David da Bete, e da Beroth, città di Adarezer.And out of Bete, and out of Beroth the cities of Adar-ezer king Dauid tooke brasse exceding much.Et de Bete et de Beroth, civitatibus Adarezer, tulit rex David æs multum nimis. 9And Thou the king of Emath heard that David had defeated all the forces of Adarezer.Ma Thou re di Emath avendo udito, come David avea disfatto tutto il nerbo delle forze di Adarezer,And Tou the king of Emath heard, that Dauid had striken al the force of Adar-ezer,Audivit autem Thou rex Emath quod percussisset David omne robur Adarezer, 10And Thou sent Joram his son to king David, to salute him, and to congratulate with him, and to return him thanks: because he had fought against Adarezer, and had defeated him. For Thou was an enemy to Adarezer, and in his hand were vessels of gold, and vessels of silver, and vessels of brass:Mandò Joram suo figliuolo al re David a salutarlo, e congratularsi con lui, e rendergli grazie dell'avere fiaccato, e disfatto Adarezer: perocché questi era nimico di Thou, e (Joram) portava seco vasi d'oro, di argento, e di bronzo:And Tou sent Ioram his sonne to king Dauid, to salute him congratulating, and to geue thankes: for that he had ouerthrowen Adarezer, and striken him. For Tou was enemie to Adarezer, and in his hand were vessels of gold, and vessels of siluer, and vessels of brasse:et misit Thou Joram filium suum ad regem David, ut salutaret eum congratulans, et gratias ageret: eo quod expugnasset Adarezer, et percussisset eum. Hostis quippe erat Thou Adarezer, et in manu ejus erant vasa aurea, et vasa argentea, et vasa ærea:
11And king David dedicated them to the Lord, together with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all the nations, which he had subdued:I quali il re David consacrò al Signore insieme coll'oro e coll'argento consacrato da lui di tutte le genti, che avea soggiogate,which also king Dauid sanctified to our Lord with the siluer and gold, that he had sanctified of al the nations, which he had subdewedquæ et ipsa sanctificavit rex David Domino cum argento et auro quæ sanctificaverat de universis gentibus quas subegerat, 12Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalec, and of the spoils of Adarezer the son of Rohob king of Soba.Della Siria, e di Moab, e de' figliuoli di Ammon de' Filistei, e di Amalec, e colle spoglie di Adarezer figliuolo di Rohob, re di Soba.of Syria, and Moab, and the children of Ammon, and the Philistijms, and Amalec, and of the spoiles of Adarezer the sonne of Rohob king of Soba.de Syria, et Moab, et filiis Ammon, et Philisthiim, et Amalec, et de manubiis Adarezer filii Rohob regis Soba. 13David also made himself a name, when he returned after taking Syria in the valley of the saltpits, killing eighteen thousand:Acquistò ancor molta gloria Davidde, allorché ritornando dalla conquista della Siria, uccise diciotto mila uomini nella valle delle Saline.Dauid also made himselfe a name, when he returned hauing taken Syria in the Valle of Salt-pittes, eightene thousand being slayne:Fecit quoque sibi David nomen cum revereteretur capta Syria in valle Salinarum, cæsis decem et octo millibus: 14And he put guards in Edom, and placed there a garrison: and all Edom was made to serve David: and the Lord preserved David in all enterprises he went about.E pose governatori nell'Idumea, e un presidio di soldati: e l'Idumea tutta quanta fu soggetta a David. E il Signore custodì Davidde in tutti i luoghi, dov'egli andò.and he put souldiours in Idumea, and placed a garrison: and al Idumea was made to serue Dauid: and our Lord preserued Dauid in al thinges to whatsoeuer he proceeded.et posuit in Idumæa custodes, statuitque præsidium: et facta est universa Idumæa serviens David, et servavit Dominus David in omnibus ad quæcumque profectus est. 15And David reigned over all Israel: and David did judgment and justice to all his people.David pertanto regnò sopra tutto Israele: e rendeva ragione e amministrava giustizia a tutto il suo popolo.And Dauid reigned ouer al Israel: Dauid also did iudgement and iustice to al his people.Et regnavit David super omnem Israël: faciebat quoque David judicium et justitiam omni populo suo.
16And Joab the son of Sarvia was over the army: and Josaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:E Gioab figliuolo di Sarvia era capitano dell'esercito: e Josaphath figliuolo di Ahilud era sua segretario.And Ioab the sonne of Seruia was ouer the armie: moreouer losaphat the sonne of Ahilud was recorder:Joab autem filius Sarviæ erat super exercitum: porro Josaphat filius Ahilud erat a commentariis: 17And Sadoc the son of Achitob, and Achimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests: and Saraias was the scribe:E Sadoc figliuolo di Achibob, e Achimelech figliuolo di Abiathar erano sommi sacerdoti e Saraia scrivano.and Sadoc the sonne of Achitob, and Achimelech the sonne of Abiathar, were priestes: and Saraias, scribe:et Sadoc filius Achitob, et Achimelech filius Abiathar, erant sacerdotes: et Saraias, scriba: 18And Banaias the son of Joiada was over the Cerethi and Phelethi: and the sons of David were the princes.E Banaia figliuolo di Jojada era capo dì quelli di Cerethi, e di Phelethi; e i figliuoli di David erano i primi presso il re.And Banaias the sonne of Ioiada was ouer the Cerethi and Phelethi: and the sonnes of Dauid princes.Banaias autem filius Jojadæ super Cerethi et Phelethi: filii autem David sacerdotes erant.
8:1
Salien
Tribute. Aquila, and probably St. Jerome, translated, "cubit." Others suppose that Amma, or Meteg-ama, is some unknown place, which David wrested from the hands of the Philistines. It is hardly probable that the Israelites would have paid the latter tribute till the 20th year of his reign, (Calmet) or even till the 12th. (Salien)
Haydock
He might now force them to pay tribute. (St. Jerome, etc.) (Haydock)
Menochius
Perhaps a letter may have been transposed, and instead of Meteg, we should read, "Geth, the mother," or metropolis, and its dependencies; (1 Paralipomenon 18:1.) or "he took Metec, (Numbers 33:28.) and its mother," Geth, which reconciles the two passages. Chaldean, etc., "he deprived them of the advantage of the rivulet." Septuagint, "David took the separated" place, (Serarius) or the city of Geth. (Menochius)
8:2
Year of the World 2960.
Theodoret
Earth, like criminals condemned to die. (Theodoret)
Denis the Carthusian
Some of them he chose to spare, and made tributary, having levelled the strong places with the ground. (Denis the Carthusian)
Calmet
Septuagint intimate that half were destroyed. (Calmet)
Haydock
But the Hebrew rather implies that the greatest part was saved, "a full cord to save alive;" (Menochius) unless there were three lots, and only one of them, larger indeed than the rest, spared. (Haydock)
Grotius
Death, or slavery, were the portion of all who were taken in war. (Grotius, Jur. 3:4, 20.)
Seneca
Lex nulla capto parcit aut poenam impendit. (Seneca)
Haydock
Tribute. Hebrew, "brought gifts," which is a softer term. The Moabites were thus punished for former and, probably, for some recent offences. (Haydock)
8:3
Adarezer. He is styled Adadezer in Hebrew and this seems to have been his true name, though it is written Adarezer in Paralipomenon. Adad, or "the sun," was the chief idol of Syria, and the kings inserted the name with their own; as Benadad did. Josephus produces a fragment from Nicolaus of Damascus, in which he says that "Adad was king of Damascus, and of all Syria, except Phoenicia, and was defeated by David....His successors took his name, as the kings of Egypt did that of Ptolemy; and that the third in descent from this king, made an attack upon Samaria," and upon Achab. (Antiquities 7:6.)
Menochius
Adadezer was probably the aggressor. (Salien) (Menochius)
8:4
Scaliger
A thousand. Protestants supply chariots, (Haydock) after the Septuagint and 1 Paralipomenon (xviii. 4.) which have 7000 horsemen. See how we have attempted to reconcile these texts, 1 Kings 13:5. Perhaps the numbers were expressed by single letters; and the Hebrew final n, (700) has been mistaken for z, (7000) both here and [in] 2 Kings 10:18. Literis numeralibus non verbis antiquitus numeri concipiebantur. (Scaliger, apud Walton prol.)
Kennicott
"Will any other hypothesis so naturally solve this repeated difficulty?" (Kennicott, Diss. on 1 Chronicles xi. p. 96 and 463.)
Menochius
Kimchi thinks that the king's horse-guards are only specified here; and Salien supposes, that those who fought on chariots are also included in Chronicles, as they are often styled horsemen, Isaias 21:7, 9. (Menochius)
Houghed. Aquila, "destroyed." He rendered them unfit for war, as Josue had done, (Josue 11:6.) supposing that this was the import of the decree, forbidding many horses to be kept, Deuteronomy 17:16.
Menochius
Horses is not expressed in Hebrew, though the Protestants supply the word; as also, for. We should translate literally, "He left out of them 100 chariots;" (Haydock) as we read elsewhere, that Adarezer had 1000. (Menochius)
Haydock
But this expression being unintelligible, no less than, "he houghed all the chariots," as the text stands at present in the original, may lead us to suspect that this verse has been inaccurately printed. Septuagint, "David paralyzed, (or rendered useless) all the chariots; and 100 chariots were reserved for himself out of them." Josephus says the rest of the 1000 chariots were burnt, 5000 horse slain, and 20,000 foot. (Haydock)
8:5
Men. As Adarezer had brought upon himself the arms of David, perhaps by attempting to succour the Moabites, as he afterwards did the children of Ammon; (chap. 10.) so the king of Damascus was ruined by coming too late to his assistance. This king may be the Adad mentioned by Nicolaus. (B. 4.) (Salien, the year of the world 2993, the 14th year of David.) See ver. 1 and 3.
8:7
Calmet
Arms. "Quivers," Paralipomenon and Syriac. "Bucklers," Hebrew and Chaldean. "Bracelets," Septuagint. (Calmet)
Salien
These bucklers might be for ornament, like those of Solomon, 3 Kings 10:16. (Salien)
Haydock
They were taken afterwards by Sesac, king of Egypt. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] 7:6.) (Haydock)
8:8
Calmet
Beroth, or Boroe. (Calmet)
Salien
Brass. All for the use of the temple, 1 Paralipomenon 18:8. The battle seems to have been fought near Beroth. (Salien)
8:9
8:10
Calmet
Joram, called Adoram in Chronicles. (Calmet)
Menochius
His, Joram's hand. (Menochius)
8:11
8:13
Rabbins
Name, or triumphal arch. (Rabbins)
Menochius
He acquired great fame, 2 Kings 7:9., and Machabees 5:57. (Menochius)
Calmet
Syria, which is styled Aram in Hebrew. The Septuagint have read Edom, or Idumea, as the two names have often been confounded, on account of the similarity of the letters. The following verse seems favourable to this reading, as well as the title of the Psalm lix; and 1 Paralipomenon 18:12, says, Abisai....slew of the Edomites, in the valley of the salt-pits, 18,000. It is probable that David was present. This Idumea was on the east of the Dead Sea, and had Bosra for its capital. The salt-pits might be a great plain, about three miles south of Palmyra or Thadmor, which supplies almost all Syria with salt. (Brun.) (Calmet)
Othes think that the borders of the most salt lake of Sodom are denoted. (Menochius) See Genesis 14:10.
8:14
Calmet
Guards, or officers to administer justice in his name, after Joab had killed all the males, during six months, 3 Kings 11:15. (Calmet)
8:15
Menochius
All Israel, not only over Juda. (Menochius)
Haydock
All the people who dwelt within the promised land, as far as the Euphrates, were forced to acknowledge his dominion. (Haydock)
Calmet
People, settling their differences, etc. Kings formerly performed in person, the most important office of rendering justice; whence three kings of Crete are mentioned as judges in the realms below. (Calmet)
Menochius
David acted with wisdom and justice. (Menochius)
8:16
Sarvia, sister of David, 1 Paralipomenon 2:16.
Grotius
Army. Joab had acquired such influence over it, that his power was formidable even to David. He was a great warrior, and had contributed more than any other person to establish the throne of his uncle; but he was devoid of justice, and not much unlike Achilles. Jura negat sibi nata, nihil non arrogat armis. (Horace) (Grotius)
Challoner
Recorder, or chancellor. (Challoner)
Aquila
A commentariis. (Aquila)
Josephus
"Remembrancer," (Haydock) or the person who kept a journal of all memorable transactions. The kings of Persia employed people to keep such journals, 1 Esdras 4:15., and Esther 6:1. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] 11:2.)
Calmet
The power of these writers was very great, Judges 5:14., and 4 Kings 18:18. (Calmet)
Menochius
Reference is often made to their "words of days." They had also to present petitions and memorials from the people. (Menochius)
8:17
Calmet
Achimelech is also called the father of Abiathar, as these two had both names indiscriminately, 1 Kings 21:2. During the contest between the families of Saul and of David, two high priests were acknowledged, in their respective dominions. Sadoc was also permitted to officiate at Gabaon, during the reign of David; and, as Abiathar took part against Solomon, he was invested with the whole authority, and thus were accomplished the predictions made to Phinees and to Heli, Numbers 25:12., and 1 Kings 2:35. (Calmet)
Menochius
Yet Salien considers Abiathar as the sole pontiff, from the time that his father was murdered by Saul. Sadoc, in the mean while, was his arch-priest or delegate, at Gabaon; (Haydock) though Abulensis and Josephus acknowledge both as high priests, (1 Paralipomenon 24:3,) officiating by turns. (Menochius)
Scribe, or secretary. (Challoner) See Judges 5:14.
Haydock
Septuagint, "counsellor." He is called Susa, in Chronicles. (Haydock)
8:18
Challoner
The Cerethi and Phelithi. The king's guards. (Challoner)
They were Philistines, and had attached themselves to David while he was at Geth, continuing always faithful to him. We read of them in the Vulgate, under the reign of Joas, 4 Kings 11:19. David selected some out of all Israel, towards the end of his reign, 1 Paralipomenon xxvii.
Challoner
Princes: literally, priests; (Cohen) so called, by a title of honour, and not for exercising the priestly functions. (Challoner)
Calmet
Sanctius translates, they "were like priests." The book of 1 Paralipomenon (xviii. 17,) explains, were chief about the king. Septuagint, "masters of the palace." David kept them near his person, and employed them as he thought proper: Bertram thinks, in embassies, till after the revolt of Absalom, when Ira took their place, 2 Kings 20:26. (Calmet)
Du Hamel
Protestants, "David's sons were chief rulers." Chaldean, "grandees;" (Haydock) "ministers." (Grotius) (Du Hamel)
8:16
Recorder.... Or chancellor.
8:17
Scribe.... Or secretary.
8:18
The Cerethi and Phelethi.... The king’s guards.—Ibid. Princes.... Literally priests. (Cohen) So called, by a title of honour, and not from exercising the priestly functions.
8:2
For 〈◊〉 •• p•••• Dauid compassing then with cordes, as 〈…〉 are e••i••••d, cast them on the around, and by lotte killed some, and spared some aliue.
8:13
Sette 〈◊〉 an Arch in memorie of triumph.
8:16
•rcha• ••l•r.
8:18
These were archers and sling throwers of the guard. Phara••rasis shall.
Or priestes, o• chief rulers. See the annotation. Gen 47. v. 22. 1. Paral, 18. v. 17.
8:13
St Jerome † AD 420 Against the Pelagians 2
2 Sam. viii. 13, 14 . David receives the promises with the humble confession of his weakness. “Is this the law of man, O God?”
8:14
Aphrahat † AD 346 Aphrahat: Select Demonstrations 17.4
… As I called them, so they went and worshipped Baal and offered incense to the graven images. And Isaiah said concerning them, Children have I reared and brought up, and they have rebelled against Me. And again it is written, Ye are the children of the Lord your God . And about Solomon He said, He shall be to Me a son, and I will be to him a Father .
8:1
1. And David took the bridle of tribute out of the hand of the Philistines. In Hebrew it is מתגהאמה meteghaamma, which Vatablus, Pagninus and others take as the proper name of a city, which was as it were meteghaamma, that is, the bridle of the other cities neighboring in Philistia. Second, others take it as a common noun signifying the bridle of a cubit (for meteg is bridle, amma is cubit, ha is the article of amma), and hence "bridle of tribute," because the price of tribute is limited and defined like a cubit; amma therefore signifies a certain payment of tribute. Aquila translated it, bridle of an aqueduct, because through that city water would be conducted through channels and streams into all Philistia, to irrigate and make it fertile; for we lead water through a channel as we lead a horse with a bridle. Whence also the Chaldean translated it, restoration, or, arrangement and convenience of a stream. Third, R. Eliezer in the Midrash properly takes bridle, namely of the Patriarch Isaac: for Isaac, he says, striking and swearing a covenant with Abimelech king of the Palestinians not to invade Philistia, Genesis XXVI, 28, "cut off one cubit of a bridle," or "chami," that is, of the halter of an ass on which he rode, and gave it to them that it might be in their hand as a sign of the covenant of the oath. But when King David wished to enter the land of the Philistines, he could not because of the force of Isaac's sworn covenant. But when he took away this halter from them (because it is written, "and David took the bridle," or, "the chami of a cubit"), then he received the land of the Philistines. But anyone can see that this is a fable and a product of Rabbinic wit. Fourth and genuinely, "bridle of tribute" is called the city of Geth, which was on the border of Judea and Philistia, and therefore through it the Philistines bridled Judea: but David, occupying it, bridled the Philistines through it. He took away therefore this bridle from the Philistines, and by the same bridle bridled the Philistines, placing in it a military garrison, which would keep them under the yoke and tribute. That this is so is clear from the fact that this place is thus explained in I Paralipomenon XVIII, 1, where it is said: "And it came to pass after this that David smote the Philistines, and humbled them, and took Geth, and her daughters (subject towns) out of the hand of the Philistines." Thus St. Jerome in the Tradition, Sanchez, Serarius and others. Geth therefore was called by David and the Hebrews metegamma, that is, bridle of tribute, not by a proper name, but by an appropriated one, because it itself was the bridle of the Philistines, compelling them to pay tribute to David.
8:2
2. And he smote Moab, namely the Moabites, who were to the east of Judaea, as the Philistines were to the west, the Syrians vers. 4 and 5, to the north, the Idumaeans vers. 14, to the south. Through all the regions of the world therefore, subduing neighbouring peoples, David carried his victorious arms about. Where note that David was present at all these battles, indeed he presided over them, and therefore accomplished them successfully. For the very presence and excellence of the prince contributes much to the swift resolution of difficulties that arise, to the easy execution of decreed matters, to encouraging soldiers, and to overcoming all difficulties; for, as Virgil says, "the presence of Turnus presses hard." Indeed Charles the Fifth was illustrious by so many victories, because he himself was present at and presided over almost all the battles. And he measured them with a line, making them equal to the earth. First, Theodoret, Questions XXIII, takes the words according to the letter, as they sound. "So great," he says, "was the force of victory, and so great was the multitude of those who were captured alive, that it did not permit him to number them. Wherefore he ordered them to be cast down prone upon the earth, divided into three parts, and he killed two parts indeed, but reserved one part alive." Second, Lyra and Cajetan understand these things concerning the towers and fortresses of the Moabites, which David completely destroyed, and thus laid low, so that he made them completely level with the earth. Third, others understand them concerning the fields, as if to say David occupied the fields, villages and all places of Moab as a victor, and distributed them to his own at pleasure. Fourth and genuinely, as if to say David completely subdued the Moabites, humbled and laid them low, so that they seemed to him to be cast down to the earth, and made equal to the earth, so that he himself could measure them out in the earth as if lying there with a line, distribute them, kill them, or preserve them alive, as follows. Thus Bede, Serarius, Sanchez and others. It is a metalepsis and metaphor drawn from farmers and measurers or geometers, who measure out level ground with a line, so that they assign so many acres to sowing, so many to pastures, so many to vineyards, etc., and this at pleasure; for the earth resists no one, and since it is level, it easily suffers itself to be measured and distributed. In a similar manner indeed to David, as a victor, all the Moabites were subject, so that he could do with them what he wished: hence he himself measured them out as if with lines, that is, he distributed them into two lots, one lot was of those whom he devoted to death, the other of those whom he preserved in life. Hence follows: And he measured out two lines, one to put to death, and one to preserve alive. "He measured," that is, he applied the measure of two lines, or he measured the Moabites with two lines: one was the line of death, so that by it, as if measured, that is designated and condemned by David, they would be killed; the other indeed was the line of life, so that by it measured, that is, designated by David, they would be preserved alive, that is, kept in life. It is a catachresis or metalepsis: for by "two lines" he understands two lots of Moabites, one to be killed, the other to be kept alive; he did, I say, according to his pleasure as a victor, but with the measure of justice and equity, which befits a victorious prince, namely so that he would kill the more guilty and those resisting him; but the less guilty, and those submitting themselves, he would keep alive. Thus Cajetan. For a line signifies an inheritance and a lot, because these were formerly measured and divided not with rods and perches, as is now done, but with ropes, and by these measurers would allot to each heir his own lot and portion.
8:3
3. And David smote Adarezer the son of Rohob, king of Soba, it is added in I Paralip. XVIII, 3, "of the region of Hemath," that is of Syria. "Soba" or "Suba" and "Subal" is a part of Syria, which lies between Libanus and Antilibanus and Hermon, and in Greek is called Coelesyria, that is hollow Syria. But "Soba" is not all of Coelesyria, but only a part of it. "Soba" therefore was beyond the Jordan, bordering on half the tribe of Manasseh, going towards the river Euphrates. When he went forth to rule over the river Euphrates. Hence it is clear that "Soba" was in the middle between the Jordan and the Euphrates, and therefore was comprehended within the limits of the land promised to the Jews by God; for the limits of this were the Mediterranean sea to the West, and the Euphrates to the East. Wherefore whatever lay between this sea and the Euphrates belonged by divine right to the Jews. This therefore was a just cause of war for David to invade "Soba," as belonging to himself and the Jews.
8:4
4. And having captured (by David) from his forces seventeen hundred horsemen. So many were the principal and chief horsemen; for otherwise universally there were captured by David a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, as it is said in I Paralip. XVIII, 4. Thus Abulensis. Or certainly with Serarius understand by horsemen the squadrons of horsemen; for multiply seven hundred squadrons of horsemen by ten, you will have seven thousand. He hamstrung all the horses of the chariots, that is, as it is explained in I Paralip. cap. XVIII, 4: "He hamstrung all the horses of the chariots, except one hundred chariots, which he reserved for himself." Moreover to hamstring is to cut the sinews or fetlocks of horses so that they cannot advance, and become useless both for fighting and for drawing chariots, which others call to supernervate. The same thing Joshua did in cap. XI.
8:5
5. Syria also came to Damascus, that is, the Syrians who inhabited Damascus came, whose king was Hadad, as Josephus says. 9. But Thou (called by Josephus "Thonus") king of Hamath heard. "Hamath" was named from its founder Amatho, Genesis X. And it was twofold, namely the greater, which is Antioch, and the lesser, which is Epiphania. Thus Josephus, St. Jerome in the Places, Procopius and others.
8:10
10. And Thou sent Joram his son (who in I Paralipomenon XVIII, 10, is called "Adoram"), and in his hand were vessels of gold, that is to say, Joram carried with him vessels of gold, so that he might offer them as gifts to David; which David destined for the temple to be built by Solomon. 13. David also made himself a name, that is, he erected a triumphal arch, as Abulensis and the Author of the Tradition with St. Jerome say. Or, as Serarius, Sanchez and others hold, that is to say, David by this victory acquired for himself a great name and fame among all nations. In the Valley of Salt. Hear Adrichomius in the tribe of Judah, no. 211: "The Valley of Salt, or of Salts, in Hebrew Gemela, otherwise called Mela, in which David struck down eighteen thousand Edomites, and returning erected for himself a triumphal arch. There also Joab destroyed twelve thousand, and Amasias twenty thousand of the Edomites, and cast down another ten thousand from the cliff and rock Jectehel."
8:14
14. All Edom became subject to David. Here was fulfilled the oracle and blessing of Isaac spoken to Jacob, Genesis XXVII, 29: "Be thou the lord of thy brethren, and let thy mother's children bow down before thee." For the Edomites, sprung from Esau the brother of Jacob, here served David descended from Jacob. Thus Procopius and Theodoret. Whence then David composed Psalm LIX, where among other things he says: "Upon Edom will I stretch out my shoe," that is, I shall possess Edom as a victor, I shall subdue and trample it. Tropologically, David, that is Christ, reigns in Edom, that is in the ruddy and carnal hearts of the nations, while through grace he makes them spiritual and heavenly. Thus St. Augustine, St. Jerome and others in Psalm LIX.
8:16
16. Josaphat son of Ahilud was over the records, that is, he wrote down daily the deeds of David through diaries, he was a recorder, or commemorator of the memorable deeds of David; for this is what the Hebrew משכיר maskir signifies. 17. And Sadoc son of Achitob, and Achimelech son of Abiathar, were priests, namely the high priests, that is, pontiffs. There were therefore at that time by the dispensation or connivance of God, two pontiffs of Israel at the same time, namely Sadoc and Abiathar. 18. But Banaias son of Joiadae, over the Cerethites and Phelethites. These were the strongest, most faithful and praetorian soldiers of David. Cerethites in Hebrew is the same as those who cut down; Phelethites, the same as those who deliver. Josephus calls them σωματοφύλακες, that is, guards of the royal body. But the sons of David were priests. "Priests," that is, princes and chief courtiers. They are called "first at the hand of the king," that is, first at the side of the king.
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
8:1
… In one (II Sam. 8:1-14; I Chr. 18:1-13), A. was defeated near Hamath, close to Hermon, and David adorned the sanctuary with the "shields of gold" taken from his officers; then the Arameans of Damascus …
Geth (Hebrew Gath, Akkadian Gimtu, "Winepress")
The Kingdom of Judah claimed it for itself (1 Sam. 7:14; 1 Chron. 8:13; 2 Chron. 11:8; 26:6). David conquered it (2 Sam. 8:1; 1 Chron. 18:1) and had an elite corps of six hundred Gittite warriors (2 Sam. 15:18). Hazael, king of Syria, occupied G. (2 Kings 12:18), for the Philistines; Uzziah tore down …
… the strong city of Jerusalem (Jebus) and united the Israelite tribes to his kingdom as well, he felt strong enough to break the relation of vassalage: he defeated the P. and drove them back definitively within their original borders (2 Sam. 5:17-25; 8:1; cf. 22:15-22; 23:9-17). From then on the P. no longer undertook major campaigns against the Israelites, but rather there were disputes over borders (cf. 1 Kings 15:27; 16:15); indeed …
… minute (e.g., I Sam. 1; 9-10; 25; II Sam. 9-20), without however claiming a complete biographical form; many other passages instead, of greater historical, political, social value, are composed in a very schematic form (e.g., I Sam. 7:15 ff.; 14:47-52; II Sam. 8:1-18, etc.). …
8:2
… the Hebrews in the plain of Jericho and in all the surrounding region; they were freed by Ehud (Judg. 3:11-30). Saul fought against M. (I Sam. 14:47). David finally defeated and subdued M., severely punishing its soldiers with a kind of decimation (II Sam. 8:2). While he was being persecuted, he had led his parents to Mizpah of M., as guests of the King, to remove them from Saul's vengeance (I Sam. 23:1-4), and that Ruth his ancestress …
8:3
… In the time, then, of Saul and David it is an Aramean kingdom west of Damascus, in the region of Coele-Syria, under the name Sôbhâh (I Sam. 14:47; II Sam. 8:3 ff.), against whose king David waged war and won.
… At the beginning of the Israelite kingdom, at least nominally and on particular occasions, this boundary seems to have been reached (cf. II Sam. 8, 3; I Kings 4, 24). In the Persian period the E. marked the limit of the satrapy Abur Nahara (Hebrew 'ebher han-nâhâr, "beyond the river"; cf. Ezra 8, 36; Neh. 2, 7, 9), which comprised …
… An officer in the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, he escaped the rout inflicted on the latter by David (2 Sam. 8:3-6; 10:15-19). R. gathered other fugitives around himself and became the leader of a strong band of raiders. …
Soba (Heb. Ṣābhāh, Ṣābhā', LXX Σοφά,-᾿Αλ)
They had to defend themselves against the Kingdom of S., mostly because it was engaged in small anti-Israelite coalitions: Saul (I Sam. 14:47), David (II Sam. 8:3; 10:6 ff.) and Solomon, who subdued it (II Chron. 8:3; cf. I Kings 11:23-25). After the age of Solomon it is no longer mentioned: it was probably absorbed by Damascus and followed …
8:5
The name A. also designated, in later times, certain territories on this side of the Euphrates: A. of Damascus (II Sam. 8:5), A. Zobah (ibid. 10:6) to the northwest of Damascus, A. Beth Rehob (ibid.) at the beginning of the depression north of the Jordan, A. Maacah (I Chron. 19:6, 7) north of the lake of Huleh.
… David subdued the Aram (v.) of D.; however, under the reign of Solomon D., through the agency of Rezon, became independent again (II Sam. 8, 5-9; I Kings 11, 23-26). Asa, king of Judah, sought and obtained an alliance against Baasha (v.), king of Israel, with Ben-hadad, son of Tabrimmon, son of Hezion (in the Septuagint: Εὐρῶμ), …
II. SYRIA IN THE BIBLE. - Both in Greek and in Latin, the name was sometimes used to translate Aram (v.), in general and with the determinations "of Damascus, of Zobah," etc.: Σορία Δαμασκού: II Sam. 8, 5; Σ. Σουβά: II Sam. 10, 8; Σ. Μοογά: I Par. 19, 6, etc.; Syria: Os. 12, 12 (Hebr. 13); Mesopotamia Syriae: Deut. 23, 5 (Aram Nahārajim); etc.
8:9
Toi, its king, congratulated David on the victory over Hadadezer, their common enemy (2 Sam. 8:9-11). It seems that in Solomon's time it was tributary to the Israelites, but at the king's death and the division of the kingdom it regained its independence, only to return again to …
8:13
… Yahweh, because the union of men was fomenting proud rebellion against God. The inhabitants of Shinar (Babylonia) resolved to build, of bricks and asphalt, a city dominated by a tower "whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name (šēm, as in II Sam. 8:13), lest we be scattered abroad." The tribes wished to build a tower of a temple "very high" (this means "up to heaven" in Sumerian and Akkadian), to symbolize the unity of their pagan kingdom. …
8:14
EDOM (IDUMEA). - Name by which are called: 1) the adult Esau (Gen. 25, 30; 36, 19); 2) his descendants and their land (Ex. 15, 15; Num. 20, 14 ff.; Judg. 5, 4; 11, 17 f.; II Sam. 8, 14; I Kings 9, 26; 11, 14 ff.; II Kings 3, 8 f.; 8, 20-22, etc.). …
8:16
… Political institutions (court offices: II Sam. 8:16 ff.; 20:23 ff.) and military ones (the "thirty": II Sam. 23:13-29) are of Egyptian derivation.
8:17
1. Secretary (literally "scribe") at the court of David (2 Sam. 8:17).
Scribe (Heb. Sôphêr, pl. Sôphêrîm; Gr. Γραμματεύς)
… Sôphêr, pl. Sôphêrîm; Gr. Γραμματεύς). - I. In the sense of "scribe, copyist, secretary" there were "scribes" in Israel from the age of David and throughout the royal period (II Sam. 8:17; etc.); there was also a military official of this name (II Kings 25:79; Jer. 52:25). But the "scribes" par excellence in the Bible are the members of one of the ruling classes …
8:18
… David entrusted him with the command of the Cherethites and Pelethites (II Sam. 8:18). At David's death he cooperated in the exaltation of Solomon (I Kings 1:38), who chose him as head of the army in place of Joab (I Kings 2:34-35). He was the instrument of several …
… In the Old Testament too the P. are associated with the Kéréthim (Cretans); cf. Zeph. 2:5; Ezek. 25:16; and probably also the formula Kéréthi and Pélethi (2 Sam. 8:18; 15:18; 20:7, 23), in which Pélethi seems to be the name of the P. (Pélethi), assimilated to the preceding Kéréthi. …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · original Douay-Rheims (Douay 1609-10), transcription by EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Public domain.