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What the Bible Says About Zobah

Overview

The Bible addresses zobah across 59 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel and Psalms. Closely related themes include Hadadezer, Syria, Moabites and Medeba. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Joab, Abishai and Solomon.

Key Bible verses about zobah

Old Testament

2 Samuel

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. Hadadezer: or, Hadarezer

2 Samuel 8:4

And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots. from: or, of his. chariots: as.Chr.18.4

2 Samuel 8:5

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 8:6

Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

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 8:8

And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

2 Samuel 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.

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. Ishtob: or, the men of Tob

2 Samuel 10:7

And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.

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.

2 Samuel 10:9

When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:

2 Samuel 10:10

And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.

2 Samuel 10:11

And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.

2 Samuel 10:12

Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.

2 Samuel 10:13

And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.

2 Samuel 10:14

And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 10:15

And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.

2 Samuel 10:16

And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them. the river: that is, Euphrates Shobach: or, Shophach

2 Samuel 10:17

And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.

2 Samuel 10:18

And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

2 Samuel 10:19

And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 18:2

And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

1 Chronicles 18:3

And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates. Hadarezer: or, Hadadezer

1 Chronicles 18:4

And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots. seven: or, seven hundred

1 Chronicles 18:5

And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. Damascus: Heb. Darmesek

1 Chronicles 18:6

Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

1 Chronicles 18:7

And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 18:8

Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass. Tibhath: called in the book of Samuel Betah, and Berothai

1 Chronicles 18:9

Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah; Tou: also called, Toi

1 Chronicles 19:6

And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah. odious: Heb. to stink

1 Chronicles 19:7

So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.

1 Chronicles 19:8

And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.

1 Chronicles 19:9

And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.

1 Chronicles 19:10

Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. the battle: Heb. the face of the battle was choice: or, young men

1 Chronicles 19:11

And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon. Abishai: Heb. Abshai

1 Chronicles 19:12

And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee.

1 Chronicles 19:13

Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.

1 Chronicles 19:14

So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.

1 Chronicles 19:15

And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 19:16

And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them. river: i.that is, Euphrates Shophach: or, Shobach.2Sam.10.16

1 Chronicles 19:17

And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.

1 Chronicles 19:18

But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.

1 Chronicles 19:19

And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.

Psalms

Psalms 60:1

To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again. Michtam: or, A golden Psalm scattered: Heb. broken

Psalms 60:2

Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

Psalms 60:3

Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

Psalms 60:4

Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

Psalms 60:5

That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.

Psalms 60:6

God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

Psalms 60:7

Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;

Psalms 60:8

Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me. triumph: or, triumph thou over me: (by an irony)

Psalms 60:9

Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? strong: Heb. city of strength?

Psalms 60:10

Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?

Psalms 60:11

Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. help of man: Heb. salvation, etc

Psalms 60:12

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

People in the Bible and zobah

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying zobah for yourself

  • Begin with 1 Samuel 14:47, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel and Psalms each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of David, Joab and Abishai and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Hadadezer, Syria, Moabites and Medeba.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about zobah?

The Bible addresses zobah across 59 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel and Psalms. Closely related themes include Hadadezer, Syria, Moabites and Medeba. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Joab, Abishai and Solomon.

How many Bible verses are about zobah?

The Bible references zobah in 59 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention zobah?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is 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.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with zobah?

David, Joab, Abishai, Solomon and Saul.

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