2 Samuel 8 10

2 Samuel 8:10 kjv

Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

2 Samuel 8:10 nkjv

then Toi sent Joram his son to King David, to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him (for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi); and Joram brought with him articles of silver, articles of gold, and articles of bronze.

2 Samuel 8:10 niv

he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze.

2 Samuel 8:10 esv

Toi sent his son Joram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. And Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold, and of bronze.

2 Samuel 8:10 nlt

he sent his son Joram to congratulate King David for his successful campaign. Hadadezer and Toi had been enemies and were often at war. Joram presented David with many gifts of silver, gold, and bronze.

2 Samuel 8 verses

2 Samuel 8 10 Meaning

2 Samuel 8:10 details the diplomatic response of Toi, king of Hamath, to David's decisive victory over Hadadezer, king of Zobah. Toi sent his son, Joram, to King David with gifts of silver, gold, and bronze. This act was a formal greeting to congratulate David for defeating Hadadezer, who had previously been Toi's adversary. It signifies an acknowledgment of David's military dominance, his divinely favored status, and establishes a strategic alliance or vassalage between Hamath and the expanding Israelite kingdom, bringing tribute and wealth into David's dominion.

2 Samuel 8 10 Context

2 Samuel chapter 8 recounts a series of comprehensive military victories by David, establishing Israel as the dominant power in the region. Immediately preceding verse 10, verse 9 states that Toi, king of Hamath, heard about David's total defeat of Hadadezer, king of Zobah. Hamath, an Aramean kingdom north of Israel, had been an ongoing enemy of Hadadezer's kingdom of Zobah. Therefore, David's victory over Hadadezer served Toi's interests directly by eliminating his primary rival. Historically, this period marks the zenith of David's kingdom, where borders expanded as God had promised, and surrounding nations either became vassals or were absorbed. The cultural practice of sending envoys, often royal sons, with significant gifts (tribute) was a common way for monarchs to establish diplomatic relations, acknowledge a superior power, or seek alliances. This gesture by Toi acknowledges David's supremacy and divine favor.

2 Samuel 8 10 Word analysis

• Then (וַיִּשְׁלַח - Vayishlach): Literally "and sent." Indicates a direct, immediate consequence of the news mentioned in the previous verse (2 Sam 8:9).
• Toi (תֹּעִי - To'i): The King of Hamath. His response underscores the significance of David's victory, affecting even distant, independent kingdoms.
• sent Joram his son (אֶת־יוֹרָם בְּנוֹ - et-Yoram beno): Sending a son, rather than a mere delegate, indicated high honor and the seriousness of the diplomatic mission. Joram, meaning "The LORD is exalted," highlights the presence of God even in names of foreign potentates.
• unto king David (אֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ דָּוִד - el-hammelekh David): Directly acknowledging David's kingship and authority.
• to salute him (לִשְׁאָל־לוֹ לְשָׁלוֹם - lish'al-lo l'shalom): Literally "to ask for him concerning peace/welfare." A formal greeting indicating respect, goodwill, and a desire for peaceful relations. Beyond a simple greeting, it's a diplomatic inquiry into his well-being, an offer of good will, potentially seeking alliance.
• and to bless him (וּלְבָרְכוֹ - ulevarkho): To offer congratulations and recognition. In this context, it signifies acknowledging David's divinely sanctioned success, offering good wishes, and perhaps subtly seeking a reciprocal blessing or favor from the now-dominant power. It's an affirmation of his victory.
• because he had fought against Hadadezer (כִּי נִלְחַם אֶת־הֲדַדְעֶזֶר - ki nilcham et-Hadadezer): Directly states the reason for the homage—David's military might and victory.
• and smitten him (וַיַּכֵּהוּ - vayakkehu): Implies a decisive and complete defeat. Hadadezer's power was broken.
• For Hadadezer had wars with Toi (כִּי אִישׁ־מִלְחֲמוֹת הָיָה הֲדַדְעֶזֶר אֶת־תֹּעִי - ki ish-milchamot hayah Hadadezer et To'i): "For Hadadezer was a man of wars with Toi." This explains Toi's motivation, as David's victory removed a constant threat and brought relief to Hamath. This makes Toi's tribute not merely flattery, but a strategic move for self-preservation and advantage.
• and with him he brought (וּבְיָדוֹ הֵבִיא - uviyado hevi): "And in his hand he brought." This denotes physical gifts carried by the envoy.
• vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass (כְּלֵי־כֶסֶף וּכְלֵי־זָהָב וּכְלֵי נְחֹשֶׁת - keley-keseph ukhley-zahav ukhley nechoshet): Valuable articles. "Vessels" suggests crafted items, not just raw metals. These are not merely presents but tribute, symbolizing homage and wealth flowing into David's kingdom. This prefigures the great wealth gathered for the Temple.

2 Samuel 8 10 Bonus section

• The parallel account in 1 Chronicles 18:9-10 refers to Toi as "Tou" and Joram as "Hadoram," illustrating minor name variations sometimes seen between historical biblical accounts but not affecting the core meaning or event.
• The gifts brought by Toi are described as "vessels" rather than raw materials. This suggests crafted objects of value, indicating sophisticated diplomatic and economic interactions. These items ultimately became part of the wealth dedicated by David for the Temple (2 Sam 8:11-12), linking David's conquests to the future worship of God in Jerusalem.
• Toi's gesture signifies that surrounding nations, even those not directly attacked, perceived the change in regional power dynamics initiated by David's campaigns and sought to adapt rather than resist. This established a network of alliances and tributes that expanded Israel's geopolitical influence without further military intervention in all cases.

2 Samuel 8 10 Commentary

2 Samuel 8:10 vividly illustrates the strategic outcomes of David's divinely assisted victories. It underscores several key theological and political realities. First, it demonstrates the reach and recognition of David's God-given authority, extending to Hamath, a powerful Aramaean kingdom. Second, Toi's diplomatic move highlights a common political strategy: aligning with a rising power, especially one that has defeated one's enemies. This wasn't merely friendly overtures but a practical acknowledgment of a new regional hegemon. Third, the nature of the gifts—precious metals—signifies tribute and alliance, solidifying David's treasury and foreshadowing the immense wealth collected for the future temple, as verse 11 explicitly notes. Toi's congratulatory blessing on David implicitly acknowledges the divine favor upon David, a recognition that God Himself was behind Israel's ascendancy, showcasing YHWH's supremacy over other nations and their deities (like Hadad, Hadadezer's patron god). This episode forms part of the narrative establishing the security, wealth, and widespread influence of Israel under David, fulfilling aspects of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants.