2 Samuel 8:3

David’s Triumphs · 2 Samuel 8:1–14
Read 2 Samuel 8

Translations

Modern
David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River.
Traditional
David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
Literal
And David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob king of Zobah as he went to recover his hand at the River.
Latin
Et percussit David Adarezer filium Rohob regem Soba, quando profectus est ut dominaretur super flumen Euphraten.

Original

Hebrew
English
David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River.

Notes

  • Hadadezer appears again in 2 Samuel 10:16 as David's enemy. He may have been the direct son and successor of Rehob. Or he may have been the ruling king from a royal family begun by a king named Rehob. This kingdom was located near the northern city of Dan (see Judges 18:28; compare Numbers 13:21).

  • Zobah was north and east of David’s kingdom.

  • who had marched out: The Hebrew text uses a pronoun that simply means “he.” This could refer to Hadadezer, as the Berean Standard Bible translates it. However, some interpreters suggest it could refer to David, meaning that David marched out to strengthen his control over the region.

  • The Euphrates River: The Hebrew text says only “the river.” First Chronicles 18:3 clearly identifies this river as the Euphrates River. Compare 2 Samuel 10:16.

David’s military victories expanded his kingdom (2 Samuel 8:1–14). He also set up an organized group of officials who helped govern the nation (2 Samuel 8:15–18). Together, these developments fulfilled God’s promise to make David’s name well known and honored (2 Samuel 7:9; see also 8:13).

Theme notes and profiles

Arameans David

Events

Parallels

1 Chronicles 18:1–13 Psalm 60:1–12

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Hadadezer: King of Zobah, defeated by David Rehob: Father of Hadadezer, king of Zobah

Places

Euphrates: Major river in ancient Near East; boundary of Promised Land Zobah: An Aramean kingdom, enemy of Israel during David's reign

Glossary

Aram-Zobah David Euphrates River Hadadezer Land Numbers, Book of Palestine Rehob (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second Syria, Syrians Zobah

Topics

Euphrates: The Eastern Limit of the Kingdom of Israel Hadadezer: King of Zobah, Vanquished by David Rehob: Father of Hadadezer, King of Zobah Syria: Conquest of by David Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: Aram-Zobah, Also Called, Zobah and Zoba Zobah: Conquest of, by David