2 Samuel 8

2 Samuel 8:1

Gave Ziklag - Not only to inhabit, but to possess it as his own. Which he did, to lay the greater obligations upon David, whom he knew so able to serve him. It was given to the tribe of Judah before, Joshua 15:31, but the Philistines kept the possession of it ’till this time. And being given by them to David, it now belonged not to the tribe of Judah; but to the king of Judah, David and his heirs forever. To this day - This, and some such clauses seem to have been added, after the main substance of the several books was written.

2 Samuel 8:3

Amalekites - The remnant of those whom Saul destroyed, chap.15:3 - 9, who retired into remote and desert places.

2 Samuel 8:4

Let neither man, &c. - In that part where he came: but there were more of the Amalekites yet left in another part of that land.

2 Samuel 8:5

David - These and the following words are ambiguous, and contrary to that simplicity which became David, both as a prince, and as an eminent professor of the true religion. The fidelity of Achish to him, and the confidence he put in him, aggravates his sin in thus deceiving him, which David seems penitently to reflect on, when he prays, Remove from me the way of lying.

2 Samuel 8:10

Can do - He speaks ambiguously, as he did before.

2 Samuel 8:13

He trembled - Had he kept close to God, he needed not fear all the armies of the Philistines.

2 Samuel 8:15

That hath, &c. - One that converseth with the devil, or dead men’s ghosts, and by them can discover future things. See Isaiah 8:19.

2 Samuel 8:16

Disguised - Both because he was ashamed to be known, or thought guilty of this practice; and because he suspected, the woman, had she known him, would not practice her art before him.