Which Bible translation is shown on 2 Samuel 8?

This page reproduces the public-domain World English Bible Protestant edition.

How should I cite a verse in 2 Samuel 8?

Use the book, chapter, and verse, and name the World English Bible when the wording matters.

2 Samuel 8 (WEB) — Full Text

Old Testament

2 Samuel 8

1After this, David struck the Philistines and subdued them; and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.

2He defeated Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.

3David also struck Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.

4David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand footmen. David hamstrung the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for one hundred chariots.

5When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck twenty two thousand men of the Syrians.

6Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.

7David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.

9When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer,

10then Toi sent Joram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze.

11King David also dedicated these to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued—

12of Syria, of Moab, of the children of Ammon, of the Philistines, of Amalek, and of the plunder of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt.

14He put garrisons in Edom. Throughout all Edom, he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.

15David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people.

16Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder,

17Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, Seraiah was scribe,

18Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.

READ IN CONTEXT

Before applying this chapter

David's reign displays covenant promise alongside the consequences of power and sin. Read 2 Samuel 8 within the complete 2 Samuel overview, and use the contextual Bible reading guide before forming a personal application. Chapter divisions aid navigation, but the literary unit may begin earlier or continue into the next chapter.

Observe first

Mark repeated words, changes of speaker, commands, promises, contrasts, questions, and the relationship between paragraphs.

Apply responsibly

Distinguish description from command and immediate audience from later readers before forming a personal application.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in 2 Samuel 8

2 Samuel 8 contains 18 verses and about 418 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “After this, David struck the Philistines and subdued them; and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 18 closes: “Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include david, hadadezer, king, struck, took, servants. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About 2 Samuel 8

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, 2 Samuel 8:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.