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.

2 SAMUEL 8:12KJV
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2 Samuel 8:12 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 8:12 mean?

2 Samuel 8:12 lists the nations and leaders from whom King David took treasures or spoils during his military campaigns. The verse highlights the extent of David’s victories by naming Syria, Moab, Ammon, the Philistines, Amalek, and Hadadezer, king of Zobah, as sources of this wealth.

This verse is part of a summary describing how David established his rule by defeating neighboring enemies and collecting their riches. The writer is recounting David’s conquests to show how his kingdom grew stronger and wealthier through these battles, emphasizing both the range of his victories and the specific groups involved.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 8:12

  • סּוּרִיָּה (Syria, "Suriya"): This word refers to the region or people of Syria, one of the major enemies David defeated. Naming Syria first signals its importance among David’s foes.
  • שָׁלָל (spoil, "shalal"): This word means the goods or treasures taken in battle. The use of this term shows that the verse is not just about defeating enemies but also about the material gains that came from these victories.
  • חֲדַדְעֶזֶר (Hadadezer, "Hadadezer"): Naming Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah, personalizes the account and points to a specific, significant victory over a powerful regional king.

Why 2 Samuel 8:12 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David’s success was not limited to one enemy but spanned several powerful nations, showing the broad scope of his reign.
  • By listing both peoples and a named king, the verse emphasizes that David’s victories were both against nations and specific rulers, underlining his dominance in the region.
  • The mention of "spoil" connects David’s military actions to the economic strengthening of his kingdom, helping explain how Israel became more prosperous under his rule.

Where else these words appear

“Hadadezer” Hebrew H1909 · used in 8 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
  • 2 Samuel 8:7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
  • 2 Samuel 8:9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

“Rehob” Hebrew H7340 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 13:21 So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
  • Joshua 21:31 Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.
  • 2 Samuel 10:8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.

“Zobah” Hebrew H6678 · used in 12 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
  • 2 Samuel 10:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.
  • 1 Chronicles 18:3 And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

“Amalek” Hebrew H6002 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 36:12 And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.
  • Deuteronomy 25:19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
  • 1 Samuel 15:7 And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.