Bible/2 Samuel/8

2 Samuel 8:13

8:12 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.
And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men. smiting: Heb. his smiting

KJV

Save image

David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt.

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

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

8:14 And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

What does 2 Samuel 8:13 mean?

2 Samuel 8:13 is a verse in the book of 2 Samuel, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include דָּוִד (Dâvid), עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh), שֵׁם (shêm). It connects to 5 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Full chapter interlinear →
And
DavidדָּוִדDâvid/daw-veed'/H1732David, the youngest son of Jesse
gatעָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
him
a
nameשֵׁםshêm/shame/H8034an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
when
he
returnedשׁוּבshûwb/shoob/H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
from
smitingנָכָהnâkâh/naw-kaw'/H5221to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
of
the
SyriansאֲרָםʼĂrâm/arawm'/H758Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of Nahor, and of an Israelite
in
the
valleyגַּיְאgayʼ/gah'-ee/H1516a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
of
salt,מֶלַחmelach/meh'-lakh/H4417properly, powder, i.e. (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)
being
eighteenשְׁמֹנֶהshᵉmôneh/shem-o-neh'/H8083a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
thousandאֶלֶףʼeleph/eh'-lef/H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
men.
smiting:
Heb.
his
smiting

Commentary on 2 Samuel 8:13

HENRY_FULL · 2 Samuel 8:13
gen5962" David had paid due respect to the memory of Saul his prince and Jonathan his friend, and what he did was as much his praise as theirs; he is now considering what is to be done next. Saul is dead, now therefore David arise. I. By direction from God he went up to Hebron, and was there anointed king, ver. 1-4 . II. He returned thanks to the men of Jabesh-Gilead for burying Saul, ver. 5-7 . III. Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, is set up in opposition to him, ver. 8-11 . IV. A warm encounter happens between David's party and Ishbosheth's, in which, 1. Twelve of each side engaged hand to hand and were all slain, ver. 12-16 . 2. Saul's party was beaten, ver. 17 . 3. Asahel, on David's side, was slain by Abner, ver. 18-23 . 4. Joab, at Abner's request, sounds a retreat, ver. 24-28 . 5. Abner makes the best of his way ( ver. 29 ), and the loss on both sides is computed, ver. 30-32 . So that here we have an account of a civil war in Israel, which, in process of time, ended in the complete settlement of David on the throne.

Topics

HadadezerSaltSyriaValleys

People & places in this verse

People

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 2 Samuel 8:13.

1 Chronicles 18:12

Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand. Abishai: Heb. Abshai

2 Chronicles 25:11

And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.

2 Kings 14:7

He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day. Selah: or, the rock

Genesis 11:4

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Genesis 12:2

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Genesis 13:4

Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

Genesis 14:17

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.

Genesis 14:7

And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.

Frequently asked questions

What does 2 Samuel 8:13 say?

2 Samuel 8:13 (King James Version) reads: "And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men. smiting: Heb. his smiting"

Is 2 Samuel 8:13 in the Old or New Testament?

2 Samuel 8:13 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 2 Samuel.

Reflect

As you read 2 Samuel 8:13, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on 2 Samuel 8:13 →
← 8:12Read all of 2 Samuel 88:14 →