2 Samuel 8:1–18 David’s Conquests 

2 Samuel 8:1–18 David’s Conquests

[Study Aired November 9, 2026]

The chapter under review today deals with David’s victories over the Philistines, the Moabites and the Syrians or Arameans. It also focuses on David’s dedication of the spoils from the wars waged to the Lord. The chapter ends with David’s government and officers. 

David’s Victories Over the Philistines, the Moabites and the Syrians

2Sa 8:1  And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 

The preceding chapter focused on how the Lord gave David rest over his enemies. This rest shows us that as the Lord’s elect, we must enter the Lord’s rest, where we cease from our own works. It marks a period in our walk with Christ where we depend wholly on what the Lord is doing on our behalf and not what we do.  

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

This rest is a prerequisite to winning significant victories over our flesh. Thus, here in verse 1, we see David smiting the Philistines, subduing them and taking Methegammah, which refers to the mother city of Gath, from the Philistines. This rest in the Lord, which is necessary for our victory over the flesh is exemplified in several wars waged by the people of Israel where they won victories without engaging their enemies in a physical fight. For example, when the Israelites left Egypt and were pursued by Pharaoh and his army, they were given victory over the Egyptians at the Red Sea without the Israelites fighting them.  

Exo 14:13  And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, standstill, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. 
Exo 14:14  The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Exo 14:27  And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 
Exo 14:28  And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. 
Exo 14:29  But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 
Exo 14:30  Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. 

As we can see from the Bible, the Philistines were next door neighbors to Israel. The fact that Saul won victories over the Philistines suggests that as His elect, we started winning victories over our flesh when we were in Babylon, as Saul signifies our lives in Babylon. The Philistines therefore indicate the deeds or works of the flesh which we are given victory over starting from our walk in Babylon. 

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 
Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 

David’s victory over the Philistines was predicated on his rest in the Lord. As His elect, our victory is dependent on our rest in Him as we look up to Him to do the work of overcoming our flesh, even as we saw Jesus depending on God to do the works while He was here on earth. 

Joh 14:10  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 

2Sa 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. 

The Lord also gave victory to David over Moab. Moab represents a different challenge of our flesh. The first time that the Israelites encountered the Moabites, it was during the wilderness experience where they camped close to Moab. Unfortunately, Israel was influenced by the Moabites to worship false idols. False idols represent false doctrines.  

Num 25:1  And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
Num 25:2  And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 
Num 25:3  And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.  

From the meaning of its name, we can see what Moab represents. Moab means ‘of his father.’ As we are aware, we start our walk with the devil being our father, as indicated by our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus stated that a key characteristic of the devil is his lies. Therefore, Moab, being of his father means that it represents the lies or false doctrines of our flesh.  

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 

David overcoming Moab in verse 2 therefore implies our victory over the lies of our carnal mind or flesh, which is fed by the devil. The fact that David drew two lines with one line representing those to be killed and another line signifying those to be kept alive, suggests that although we have significant victory over the lies of the devil through our carnal minds, there are still lies of our carnal minds that we have to overcome through the hail or truth of His word. 

Isa 28:17  Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

The Moabites becoming David’s servants and bringing gifts to him suggests that we have overcome the lies of the carnal mind and therefore we have the mind of Christ which is a gift to the body of Christ through what every joint supplies. 

1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 
Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

2Sa 8:3  David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. 
2Sa 8:4  And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots. 

In the Book of Revelation, an angel was sent to release the four angels bound by the river Euphrates. It represents how the whole of the Lord’s elect are delivered from the river of false doctrines that runs through Babylon or the church system of this world. 

Rev 9:14  Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 
Rev 9:15  And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 

David defeating Hadadezer who controls the land with the border at the river Euphrates means that, as His elect, we are given power over the false doctrines of Babylon. 

Verse 4 therefore shows us how we become equipped as part of the Lord’s army through the victories over our flesh or carnal minds. Being equiped here means that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strongholds. In Revelation 9:16-17, our release from the false doctrines of Babylon equips us to become part of the Lord’s army. 

Rev 9:16  And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 
Rev 9:17  And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 

2Sa 8:5  And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
2Sa 8:6  Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. 

On a negative note, the number twenty-two thousand represents us, His elect, when we were fearful and afraid, thinking that we cannot win this war against our flesh. 

Jdg 7:3  Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. 

Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 

Syrian means ‘exalted.’ When fear is exalted in our carnal minds, we become a prey to our flesh. David slaying the twenty-two thousand Syrians therefore signifies our victory as the Lord’s elect, over our fears, which comes from our carnal minds influenced by the devil. This is the promise of the Lord to us that we should not be afraid because He is with us:

Isa 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 

Joh 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  

Every high thing that exalts itself (Syrians) against the knowledge of the Lord must be brought down in our lives, if we are to become overcomers.

2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 
2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  

A garrison in verse 6 represents a body of soldiers that occupies a territory with the view to maintaining control and to keeping watch. David setting up a garrison in Syria of Damascus signifies the need to keep watch over victories won so we do not slip back into captivity or bondage again.

Mat 26:41  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

The Syrians bringing gifts to David when they became David’s servants speaks of spiritual riches that come to us as we continue to win victories over our carnal minds. In other words, as Christ ascends in our lives, through the dying of our flesh or carnal mind, we are given more gifts. 

Eph 4:8  Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (ESV)  

It is important to note that in verse 6, the Lord preserved David wherever he went. This is to assure us of the Lord’s protection wherever we go in this life, as we are the apple of His eyes or bride. 

2Sa 8:7  And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.  

David taking the shields of gold from the servants of Hadadezer is another way of saying that the truth that our brothers and sisters have in the church system of this world shall be taken away from them and given to us, His elect. 

Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 

David bringing the shields of gold to Jerusalem means that the heavenly Jerusalem or the church of the firstborn is the pillar of truth. 

1Ti 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

2Sa 8:8  And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass. 

It is important to note that the sockets of the door to the tabernacle in the Old Testament are cast of copper or brass. One cannot enter the temple to worship without passing by the brass sockets. It shows how it is through us that humanity shall be able to come to worship the Lord in truth and in spirit. Cities in the Bible can represent Babylon as shown in the following:

Rev 16:19  And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

David taking exceeding much brass from Betah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, signifies that it is through the mercy we have received at the expense of our brothers and sisters in Babylon, that they shall be made perfect. 

Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 

2Sa 8:9  When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
2Sa 8:10  Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

Toi sending his son Joram to come and bless king David after hearing of David’s victories is to let us know that in the fullness of time, when we finally win this victory over our flesh or become overcomers, Jesus, represented by Toi’s son Joram, will receive us to bless us. We are assured of many blessings from the Lord when we overcome as we see David being blessed by Joram, when he overcame Hadadezer.  

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. 

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 
Rev 2:28  And I will give him the morning star. 

The gold and silver represent the word of the Lord, which is Christ. Therefore, Joram bringing David vessels of silver, gold and brass is to let us know that when we overcome, we shall come to see Jesus as He is. 

1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 
1Jn 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 

The brass signifies the work of the holy spirit in our lives as we are refined through the fire to become the doorway for humanity. As indicated earlier, the sockets of the door of the tabernacle are cast of copper or brass and it means that to enter the temple to worship the Lord, one must pass through the door with brass sockets. The vessel of brass given to David by Joram signifies the privilege given to us His elect, that all humanity will come to worship the Lord through us, when we overcome. 

2Sa 8:11  Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; 
2Sa 8:12  Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 

David dedicating to the Lord all the silver and gold that he had won in battles is to show our appreciation of the Lord as we can do nothing of ourselves and that all the victories that we have won over the flesh come from the Lord. 

Psa 116:12  What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? 
Psa 116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.  

Rom 11:35  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 
Rom 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen. 

As we are aware, gold and silver represent the word of the Lord. David dedicating the gold and silver that he had won in battles to the Lord is also to demonstrate to us that it is the Lord who opens our eyes to see and our ears to hear the mysteries of the kingdom. 

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 

In verse 12, the list of the enemies defeated by David is mentioned. It indicates that it is when we have victories over our flesh that we can give back to the Lord. Giving back to the Lord means offering our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord. 

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

2Sa 8:13  And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men. 

The number eighteen thousand on a positive note, is the number demonstrating our victory as the Lord’s elect, over our flesh. 

1Ch 18:12  Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.

David getting a name in verse 13 when he returned from defeating the eighteen thousand Syrians at the valley of salt, demonstrates to us that in the fullness of time, when Christ comes, we who have overcome shall be given a name by our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Rev 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. 

This new name on a white stone signifies Christ in us, His elect, which demonstrates His approval of our works, just as David had a new name after His victories.

2Sa 8:14  And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. 

As indicated earlier, a garrison represents a body of soldiers which occupies a territory with the view of maintaining control and keeping watch. David setting up garrisons in Edom signifies the need to keep watch over victories won so that we do not slip back into captivity or bondage to the flesh. 

Mat 26:41  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.  

The Lord preserving David wherever he went is to assure as, His elect, that the Lord is with us in every situation that we find ourselves in. He will never leave us alone to become a prey for the devil.  

Deu 31:6  Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 

David’s Officials

2Sa 8:15  And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people. 
2Sa 8:16  And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 
2Sa 8:17  And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe; 
2Sa 8:18  And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers. 

These verses are to show us the reward which awaits us after our victories over our flesh. This will take place when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. 

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 

In verse 15, David here represents our Lord Jesus Christ Who will reign with us, His elect, over the kingdoms of this world. David executing judgment and justice to all the people indicates that Christ’s coming is a time of judgment and justice to all people.

David’s officials represent us, His elect, and the meaning of their names reflects our role when Jesus comes with His angels or His elect. 

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 
1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  

Joab being the captain of the host of the army of Israel represents our Lord Jesus Christ. This is affirmed by the name Joab which means Jehovah is Father. Our Lord Jesus Christ is also our father as shown in the following verse:

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  

Jos 5:14  And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?     

Jehoshaphat means ‘Jehovah has judged.’ As His elect, we shall judge all humanity as well as angels. 

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 

Zadok means ‘righteous.’ It is through judgment that all humanity shall learn righteousness.   

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 

Ahimelech means ‘my brother is king.’ As brothers and sisters in Christ, we shall reign over the kingdoms of this world.  The name Seraiah denotes Jehovah is ruler. It also shows that we shall become rulers with Christ in the fullness of time. 

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 

Benaiah means Jehovah has built. We shall build the holy city or the new Jerusalem with Christ. 

Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

David son’s here signifies us, His elect, as the sons of Jesus Christ. The fact that David’s sons shall be chief rulers also affirms our rulership status in the fullness of time when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. 

May the Lord bring to completion what He has started in us, His elect. Amen!!