Bible Strands
2 Samuel 8:2
David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrative records David’s campaign against the Moabites, positioned chronologically between his defeat of the Philistines and his war against Hadadezer of Zobah.
The words — וַ/יַּ֣ךְ (va/i.Yakh) translates literally as “and he defeated,” while וַֽ/יְמַדְּדֵ֤/ם (va/y.ma.de.De/m) means “and he measured off.”
The thread — This account of measured judgment and forced tribute parallels the garrison placement and tribute from Aram of Damascus in 2 Samuel 8:6 and echoes the broader theme of royal subjugation in Numbers 24:17 and 1 Samuel 10:27.
Why it lands — The text states that David used a cord to divide the Moabites into execution and survival groups, resulting in their submission and tribute. It asks the reader to recognize how deliberate, quantified judgment produces political subjugation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.
Cross-references
- Numbers 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
- 1 Samuel 10:27 But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.
- 2 Samuel 8:6 Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
- Psalms 60:8 Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
- Judges 3:29 At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all robust and valiant men. Not one of them escaped.
- 1 Samuel 14:47 After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.
- 2 Samuel 8:12 from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
- 2 Samuel 12:31 David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and he made them work at the brick kilns. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.
- 2 Kings 1:1 After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel.
- 2 Kings 3:4 Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he would render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.