2 Samuel 8:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

NIV: And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

NASB: So David made a name for himself when he returned from killing eighteen thousand Arameans in the Valley of Salt.

CSB: David made a reputation for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in Salt Valley.

NLT: So David became even more famous when he returned from destroying 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

KJV: And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

NKJV: And David made himself a name when he returned from killing eighteen thousand Syrians in the Valley of Salt.

Second Samuel 8:13–14 highlights God's protection of Israel. By God's will, David's forces have conquered Moab, Ammon, Zobah, Amalek, and the Philistines (2 Samuel 8:1–12). For the final blow, Joab and his brother Abishai spend six months killing almost every male in Edom (1 Kings 11:15). David's commanders, state officials, priests, bodyguards, and sons all contribute to Israel's victories (2 Samuel 8:15–18), yet David knows only God can grant such success (Psalm 60).

In 2 Samuel 8, God protects David's kingdom. God has promised David an eternal, peaceful dynasty (2 Samuel 7:10–12). True peace won't come until Jesus is king, but God still protects His people as David defeats the Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, and Hadadezer's army. David collects spoils, establishes garrisons, and allies with Toi, Hadadezer's grateful enemy. His military, religious, and civil officials contribute greatly to his success. Secure in his reign, David honors Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son and King Saul's grandson, instead of killing him as a rival (2 Samuel 9).

Second Samuel 8 recounts David's military victories and names his top officials. After bringing the ark to Jerusalem, David asked to build a temple. Instead, God promised him a lasting dynasty and, ultimately, peace from his enemies (2 Samuel 7). Until then, David's army commanders, administrators, priests, and sons join David's fight against enemy nations from Syria to Edom. Because of David's skill in battle, the new king of Amon will mistake David's kindness for espionage and foolishly provoke the army of Israel to war (2 Samuel 10).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

Accessed 12/25/2025 6:19:43 AM