Chapter 18

18:1 Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took ^a Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

(a) Which ( 2 Samuel 8:1 ) calls the bridle of bondage, because it was a strong town and kept the country around it in subjection.

18:6 Then David put [garrisons] in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became Davids servants, [and] brought gifts. Thus the LORD ^b preserved David whithersoever he went.

(b) That is in all things that he attempted.

18:8 Likewise from ^c Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

(c) Which in ( 2 Samuel 8:8 ) is called Betah and Berothai.

18:10 He sent ^d Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and [with him] all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.

(d) Called also Joram ( 2 Samuel 8:10 ).

18:11 Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all [these] nations; from ^e Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

(e) Because the Edomites and the Syrians joined their power together, it is said, ( 2 Samuel 8:12 ) that the Amramites were spoiled.

18:12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt ^f eighteen thousand.

(f) Which is understood that Joab slew 12,000 as is in ( Psalms 60:1 ) and Abishai the rest.

18:17 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was] over the ^g Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David [were] chief about the king.

(g) Read ( 2 Samuel 8:18 ).