And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

2 SAMUEL 8:5KJV
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2 Samuel 8:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 8:5 mean?

2 Samuel 8:5 describes how the Syrians from Damascus came to help Hadadezer, the king of Zobah, in battle, but David defeated them and killed 22,000 Syrian soldiers. This verse highlights a significant military victory for David over both Hadadezer and his Syrian allies.

The setting is a record of King David’s military campaigns as told in the book of 2 Samuel. David is expanding his kingdom and facing opposition from neighboring rulers. When the Syrians (from Damascus) arrive to support Hadadezer, David’s forces overcome them, showing his growing strength and the weakening of his enemies.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 8:5

  • דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammesek, transliterated "Damascus"): This word refers specifically to the well-known city and region of Damascus, which was a major center in Syria. Its mention shows that powerful allies were involved in the conflict.
  • עָזַר (ʿazar, transliterated "succour"): This word means "to help" or "to give aid." The Syrians were not just bystanders but active supporters of Hadadezer, making David’s victory more significant.
  • הִכָּה (hikah, transliterated "slew"): This verb means "to strike" or "to defeat," often used in the context of battle. The use of this word emphasizes the completeness of David’s victory.

Why 2 Samuel 8:5 matters

  • This verse shows that David’s victories were not just over isolated enemies but also over coalitions of powerful neighboring nations, underlining the scale of his success.
  • The mention of specific numbers and places (like Damascus and 22,000 men) gives a sense of the historical reality and the magnitude of the conflict.
  • It connects to the wider passage by showing how David’s reign was marked by decisive military action, which helped to secure Israel’s borders and establish 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 8:8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
  • 2 Samuel 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:

“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.

“Damascus” Hebrew H1834 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 14:15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
  • 2 Kings 16:11 And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus.
  • Isaiah 17:3 The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.

“succour” Hebrew H5826 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 49:25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
  • 2 Chronicles 20:23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
  • Psalms 107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.