2 Samuel 8

2 Samuel 8:1-14

[Verse 3. Hadadezer] or Hadarezer, 1 Chron. XVIII. 3. The like is in Diphath, and Riphath; in Dodanim, and Rodanim, 1 Chron. I. 6, 7. compared with Gen. X. 3, 4.

The Hebrew letters Daleth and Resh are like one another, and often put and used one for another; See Esay XLVI. 15. Jer. II. 20, & ch. XXXI. 40. which shews that the Hebrew letters had the same forme and figure in those dayes, which they have at this day. And the same Observation may be made upon the like change of other letters, wittingly made in Scripture, and much used in proper names; and much more used in the many mistakes of Interpreters and Translators of Scriptures in many other places; and all by reason of the similitude of their Hebrew Characters; as namely of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; All which argue still not the Samaritan Characters, which have none of these mutual Similitudes amongst themselves; but the Hebrew Characters we have now to be the same which were from the Beginning, or in Ezra his time. And farther, The Hebrew Jod is the smallest letter, as it is intimated, Matth.

V. 18. whereas the Samaritan Jod is one of the largest.

2 Samuel 8:4

a thousand] These one thousand here are expressed to be Charets, 1 Chron. XVIII. 4. And the seven hundred horsemen are expounded to be seven hundted rancks of horsemen, or decurioues, ten in a ranck; and so make seven thousand horsemen, in the foresaid place.

2 Samuel 8:5

Syrians] Hebrew, are Aram, and Aramites, for Syria, and Syrians: So still in the Old Testament. These came of Aram the sonne of Shem, Gen. X. 22. We read of Padan-Aram, wherein Haran was, the place where Terah, Bethuel, and Laban dwelt, Gen. XI. 32. and XXVIII. and XXIX. chapters. Of Aram Naharaim, Judg.

III. 8. of Aram-Zobah, Ps. LX. title. Of Aram of Damascus, in this Text. The word is of a great latitude, and comprehends great Countreys in it. As Mesopotamia, so called, because in the middle of two armes of Euphrates; or of the two famous rivers of Euphrates and Tygris. And to this Situation the names of Padan-Aram, and Aram-Naharaim do relate.

But in later ages Aram most relates to Aram of Damascus, that Syria whereof Damascus was the chief Citie. And of this Syria see more in my Annotations on Amos I. 4, 5.

For the Catalogue of the Kings of Syria, see the great Annotations on Amos I. 4.

We read of four battels of David with the Syrians.

The first, here, when they came to succour Hadadezer against David. And in this, two and twenty thousand of them slain, 1 Chron. XVIII. 5.

The second. ver. 13. in the Valley of Salt. And Edomites are named there, 1 Chron, XVIII. 11, 12. and Psal. LX. in the Title of it; Because both Syrians, and Edomites joyned in the battell against Davids Generals, Joab, and Abishai: and therefore the victory is ascribed to each of the three: and the number flaine is twelve thousand, Ps. LX. 1. and six thousand more, either by Joab alone, before the main battel; or by both the brethren, after it in the pursuit of the victory; in all eighteen thousand, 2 Sam. VIII. 13. 1 Chron. XVIII. 12.

The third battel, 2 Sam. X. 6,—14. when the Syrians joyned to help the Ammonites; and fled before Joab, 1 Chron. XIX. 6. 7, 10, 14.

The fourth battel with the Syrians, 2 Sam. X. 15,—19. wherein David slew (the men) of seven hundred Chariots, i. e. of seven hundred rancks, or troops, having ten in a ranck or troop; not ten men in a Charet; in all seven thousand, 1 Chron. XIX. 18. And fourty thousand horsemen, 2 Sam. X. 18. And fourty thousand footmen, 1 Chron. XIX. 18. And Shobach, the Captaine of their Hoast.

2 Samuel 8:17

Zadok] He was in Davids, and Solomons times, 2 Sam. VIII. 17. and XX. 25. 1 King. I. 8. He anointed Solomon King, and by him was put in the roome of Abiathar, 1 King. I. 32, 34. and chap. II. 35.

He was the son of another Ahitub then he that was father of Ahimelech: And he came from Eleazar, the eldest son of Aaron, and from Phineas, his son, after six descents, 1 Chron. VI. 4, 5, 6. And the High Priests of his posterity in a continued series and succession, to the Babylonish Captivity, are recorded in eleven generations, 1 Chron. VI. 9,—15. And after the Captivity, in six generations to Jaddua, who lived in the dayes of Alexander the Great: which is the last Historical Record of the Old Testament, Neh. XII, 10, 11.

This Zadoks son was that Ahimaaz, afterwards High Priest, mentioned by David, 2 Sam. XV. 27. This Zadok, of the line of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the line of Ithamar were the Priests, chief of those two families, with command over the rest of the Priests of those two families severally: But Abiathar the father of Abimelech was then the supreme and only High Priest.

2 Samuel 8:18

The Cherethites, and the Pelethites] Of these see the great Annotations on this Text,