2 Samuel 8:2

David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

Majority Standard Bible

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

1Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines.

3David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River.

Read all of 2 Samuel 8

Cross References

Judges 3:29At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all robust and valiant men. Not one of them escaped.

1 Samuel 14:47After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.

2 Samuel 8:12from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

2 Kings 1:1After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel.

2 Kings 17:3Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him, and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute.

2 Chronicles 26:8The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, for he had become exceedingly powerful.

Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 8:2-9

David's Conquests. ( b. c. 1042.) 1 And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 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. 3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at… Read the whole commentary →

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Study 2 Samuel 8:2