2 Samuel 8:14

2Sa 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.

Ver. 14. And he put garrisons in Edom.] He cast out his shoe over them, as Psa 60:8. {See Trapp on "Psa 60:8"} he set a deputy or viceroy there; {1Ki 22:47} and here the elder brother began to serve the younger, according to the oracle, Gen 25:23.

And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.] Neither preserved him only, but prospered him: and this is twice noted in this chapter. See 2Sa 8:6. Plures sunt gratiae privativae quam positivae, saith Gerson. Our deliverances are many and daily: this being the difference betwixt a godly and and a wicked man; that the former is preserved, the latter is only reserved to further punishment, as was Pharaoh Sennacherib, others. See both these in 2Pe 2:9.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Sa 8:14. Throughout all Edom put he garrisons — Having conquered the whole country, he garrisoned the strongest places in it with his own men, to keep them in subjection to him. Some of the Jews interpret these words, He put captains, or commanders, in Edom, that is, great men to govern them, and, as his deputies, to raise a tribute from them. Now began to be fulfilled the extraordinary prediction to Rebekah, recorded by Moses, Gen 25:22, but not begun to be accomplished till many centuries after his death, namely, The elder shall serve the younger. Then also was fulfilled that prophecy of Balaam, mentioned Numbers 24., Edom shall be a possession, &c. The Lord preserved David, &c. — God, in his providence, still watched over and protected him, as before, (2Sa 8:6,) in all these expeditions. All David’s victories were typical of the success of the gospel over the kingdom of Satan, in which the Son of David rode forth, conquering and to conquer, and will reign till he has brought down all opposing rule, principality, and power.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Or, in all his enterprises.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 14. He put garrisons in Edom] He repaired the strong cities which he had taken, and put garrisons in them to keep the country in awe.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

14. garrisons] See note on 2Sa_8:6. Stress is laid by the words throughout all Edom on the completeness with which David subjugated the country. Thus was fulfilled the first part of Isaac’s prophecy (Gen_27:37-40), and Balaam’s prophecy (Num_24:17-18).

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And he put garrisons in Edom,.... To keep the inhabitants in subjection to him; as their forts and strong holds came into his hands, he placed companies of soldiers in them for the said purpose; or governors, as the Targum, men of his own nation, into whose hands he put their principal cities, who governed them for him, and under him. Jarchi interprets it of officers appointed to collect the tribute he exacted of them:

throughout all Edom put he garrisons; which is observed to show that the whole country was brought into subjection to him:

and all they of Edom became David's servants; and hereby were fulfilled the oracle delivered to Rebekah, and the prophetic blessing of Isaac, Gen 25:23,

and the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went; See Gill on Sa2 8:6.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Guards, or officers to administer justice in his name, after Joab had killed all the males, during six months, 3 Kings xi. 15. (Calmet)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Throughout all Edom put he garrisons. In a country naturally so strong as Edom, and with neighbouring states ready to give shelter to their fugitives, Joab"s attempt would cause great misery, but only a moderate loss of life. And as soon as he withdrew, the exiles would return to their old homes. To keep them, therefore, in entire subjection, the country was. held by strong garrisons, and the Edomites became David"s servants, being apparently deprived for the present of any form of independent government. We have, then, in this chapter, a brief summary of David"s wars, whereby he established his supremacy ever the extensive region from Hamath on the north to the salt plains on the south of the Dead Sea, and from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates.

God"s preserving care. "And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went" (ver. 6; 1Ch_18:6, 1Ch_18:13) The providence, of God (his preservation, and government of all things), which embraces the creation in general (Psa_36:6; Neh_9:6) and man in particular (Psa_8:4, Psa_8:5; Luk_12:7) is exercised with special regard to the good of those that love him. (Mat_6:32 Mat_10:29, Mat_10:30) This is evident from his relation and love to them (Deu_32:9; Luk_12:32) the promises and declarations of his Word, (Psa_37:25 Psa_121:8) and the facts of observation and experience (Gen_45:5; Est_6:1) The life of David is full of illustrations thereof. (1Sa_19:10 1Sa_23:28) "The Lord preserveth the faithful" (Psa_31:23)

I IS LOYAL OBEDIENCE to his will, such as David exhibited.

For he will give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways. (Psa_91:11)

i.e. the ways of duty; not of presumption, like those which the tempter (omitting these words in his quotation) sought to induce the Son of man to pursue. (Mat_4:6) "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely", (Pro_10:9) and "shall be saved; but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once". (Pro_28:18) We must keep the commandments of God if we would be "kept by the power of God." "Who is he that wilt harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?". (1Pe_3:13 1Pe_4:19)

II AMIDST IMMINENT PERIL, arising from attacks of numerous foes; which must often be met in the path of duty, and cannot be avoided without sin. (2Sa_4:9-11) "And, indeed, there is a great deal of reason why we should respect him that, with an untainted valour, has grown old in arms and hearing the drum heat. When every minute death seems to pass by and shun him, he is one that the supreme God cared for, and, by a particular guard, defended in the hail of death" (O. Felltham).

There is a holy strife (Php_1:27; Jud_1:3; Eph_6:12) and in it We may sometimes be exposed to as great danger as David; (2Sa_21:16) but the eye of God sees it and his hand wards it off. "No weapon," etc.. (Isa_54:17)

O Jehovah Lord, thou Strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. (Psa_140:7)

III BY MANIFOLD MEANS. Not without prudence and effort on the part of men; not by direct, extraordinary and miraculous interposition; but by:

1. The salutary influence of a devout spirit on conditions favourable tosafety.

2. Special impressions on the minds both of the good and of the bad,conducive to the preservation of the former.

3. A peculiar concurrence of circumstances having the same effect; andother ways, still more wonderful, and not less effectual. (Pro_21:31) Nothing is more mysterious to our partial comprehension of them than the methods of providence by which God accomplishes his designs. "A mighty maze! but not without a plan.

IV FOR BENEFICENT ENDS. Not only "the good of his chosen", (Psa_106:5) whom he preserves; but also the good which they may effect on behalf of others, the manifestation of his great Name, the complete establishment of his kingdom. "We know that all things work together for good," etc.. (Rom_8:28) "This is the sun in the heaven of all the promises. D.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The Lord preserved, &c. - All David's victories were typical of the success of the gospel over the kingdom of Satan, in which the Son of David rode forth, conquering and to conquer, and will reign 'till he has brought down all opposing rule, principality and power.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

Officers. Officers to collect the tax.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.