Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Why would David be so brutal? (2 Samuel 8:2)

In 2 Samuel 8:2, David's brutal treatment of the Moabites—making them lie on the ground and executing two-thirds of the captives—was driven by the harsh realities of ancient Near Eastern warfare, historical tensions, and strategic geopolitics.

A combination of key factors typically explains the brutality in this passage:

Fulfilling Prophecy: Jewish tradition and biblical commentators often link this severity to the prophecy of Balaam in Numbers 24:17, which foretold a king of Israel who would "crush the foreheads of Moab."

8:2. A prophecy uttered some 400 years earlier is fulfilled. (Numbers 24:17) God's word always comes true.

It was before the Israelites entered the Promised Land that the prophet Balaam said to Moab's King Balak: 

In the initial fulfilment of this prophecy, the "star" proved to be King David, the subduer of the Moabites. (2Sa 8:2) Evidently, therefore, in that fulfilment of this particular prophecy, "the end of the days" began with David's becoming king. 

David's decisive victory over the Moabites was a fulfilment of Balaam's prophetic words uttered over 400 years earlier.

Numbers 24:17 ESV: "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh: There shall come forth a star out of Jacob, And a sceptre shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite through the corners of Moab, And break down all the sons of tumult."

Also, apparently with reference to this victory, the psalmist spoke of God's regarding Moab as his "washing pot."​—Ps 60:8; 108:9.

Psalm 108:9 ESV: "Moab is my washpot; Upon Edom will I cast my shoe; Over Philistia will I shout."

By the expression "over Edom I shall throw my sandal" (Ps 60:8; 108:9), God may have meant that Edom would be brought under subjection. It possibly had reference to the custom of indicating the taking of possession by throwing one's sandal on a piece of land. Or, it could have indicated contempt for Edom, since Moab is called "my washing pot" in the same text. In the Middle East today, throwing the sandal is a gesture of contempt.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

He smote Moab; for although the king of Moab, out of hatred to Saul, pretended some kindness to David, and gave protection to his parents, 1 Samuel 22:3,4; yet the Moabites were perpetual and sworn enemies to the Israelites, who therefore were forbidden to admit them into the congregation of the Lord, and to seek their peace and prosperity, Deu 23:6. And though God commanded them in their march to Canaan to spare the Moabites, Deu 2:9,19, yet afterwards they proved unthankful, and insolent, and fierce enemies to God and his people, Numbers 22:2,24:17,18 Jud 3:14, &c.; 1 Samuel 14:47, &c., and thereby provoked God to alter his course and carriage towards them.

With a line, i. e., as with line, the particle as being oft understood, as Psalm 11:1 22:6 45:1. The sense is, having conquered the land, he estimated it, and, as it follows, distributed the towns and people into three parts.

Casting them down to the ground, i. e., overthrowing their towns, and utterly destroying their people in a manner following.

With two lines measured, he was to be put to death, which severity was necessary for his own and his people's security, because they were numerous and potent, and bordering upon Canaan, and very vexatious and mischievous to the Israelites. And now that prophecy, Numbers 24:7, was accomplished.

Note: The punishment inflicted, however, was of course restricted to the fighting men whom the Israelites had taken prisoners.

4 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

If we read 2 Samuel 8 as a Bible account of David being a brutal man, I think we are reading it with an incomplete contextual understanding. I don't think the story is telling us that David executed captured combatants. I don't get that from the narrative. 

The execution of captured fighters has happened in war theaters since war was introduced as a solution to human conflict. It's war! It's assumed to be unavoidable. It provides a clear and concise diagnosis of the condition of mankind's collective heart. That's why violence is portrayed with such a conspicuous aspect in Scripture. It doesn't show God's heart, it shows the condition of ours! (stay with me now).

David, a man who wanted his essence (heart) to reflect his relationship with God, was still only a God-fearing man. THAT'S ENOUGH! It's as close as an ordinary man ever gets. He wants to cast a reflection of God's essence (heart) in how he lives. He's described as being "after God's own heart." (1 Samuel 13:14). That isn't said in Scripture about anyone else in the history of the world. 

Let's see how this narrative actually reads. Here it is: David defeated Moab and measured them with a line. He made them lie down on the ground in three lines. (listen closely) "Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one FULL line to be spared" (2 Samuel 8:2). (emphasis mine with all caps for "full.") Why is the line for them to be spared depicted as being "full"? I think it is to bring unobstructed attention to the fact that David was a man who wanted to be known as one who shows Grace! The next sentence in verse 2 tells what I believe to be the result of David's show of power in that way. It doesn't say that he went through with an execution of anyone. It reads:

"And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute." (SAME VERSE - verse 2). All he had to do was MAKE THEM LIE DOWN! He humbled them and showed them grace. I don't see anything about him slaughtering anyone. I think it all depends on how you read what is written. When you read of David's actions toward his enemies, you won't see brutality! You'll see Grace. Ask Saul - 1 Samuel 24 and 1 Samuel 26. TWICE! He showed Saul grace. Ask Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson. Here's how David treated him:

2 Samuel 9:1 Now David said, "Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" Saul and Jonathan, Mephibosheth's dad and granddad, were dead. David wants to show the kindness of his heart (God's heart) toward someone in their family. A servant told the king about Mephibosheth hiding from the king in a town called Lo Debar. (that's a whole sermon right there, just bursting with theological energy and information!) David sent for him; he was brought before the king. Listen to King David talking to Mephibosheth: 

"Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat at my table continually." (2 Samuel 9:7) Mephibosheth's response was 'Why are you doing this'? David didn't answer, he went a step further. He called Ziba, one of Saul's servants and told him that he'd given Mephibosheth the land, and told Ziba that he, his sons, and his servants "shall work the land for him (Mephibosheth), that he may have food to eat." (Mephibosheth was lame in both feet from a childhood injury).

Wait a minute! Mephibosheth will be eating at David's table! David told Ziba that too.

David... slaughtering his captured enemies... I wouldn't want to be the prosecutor who tries to make that charge stick!

17 hours ago • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report