CHAPTER XVIII

David smites the Philistines, and takes Gath, 1. Reduces the Moabites, 2.

Vanquishes Hadarezer, king of Zobah, 3, 4. Overcomes the Syrians of Damascus, and takes several of their cities, 5-8. Tou, king of Hamath, congratulates him on his victory, and sends him vessels of silver, gold, and brass, 9, 10. Those and the different spoils he had taken from the conquered nations, he dedicates to God, 11. Abishai defeats the Edomites, 12, 13. David reigns over all Israel, 14. His officers, 15-17.

NOTES ON CHAP. XVIII

Verse 1. David-took Gath and her towns] See the comparison between this chapter and 2 Sam. viii. 1, &c., in the notes on the latter.

Verse 2. Brought gifts] Were laid under tribute.

Verse 9. Tou king of Hamath] Called Toi in 2 Sam. viii. 9.

Verse 12. Abishai-slew of the Edomites] This victory is attributed to David, 2 Sam. viii. 13. He sent Abishai against them, and he defeated them: this is with great propriety attributed to David as commander-in-chief; qui facit per alterum, facit per se.

Verse 15. Joab-was over the host] General-in-chief.

Jehoshaphat-recorder.] The king's remembrancer, or historiographer royal.

Verse 16. Zadok-and Abimelech-priests] Both high priests; one at Gibeon, and the other at Jerusalem, as we have seen 1 Chron. xvi. 39.

Shavsha was scribe] Called Seraiah, 2 Sam. viii. 17.

Verse 17. Cherethites and the Pelethites] See the note on 2 Sam. viii. 18.