2 Samuel 8 15

2 Samuel 8:15 kjv

And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

2 Samuel 8:15 nkjv

So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice to all his people.

2 Samuel 8:15 niv

David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.

2 Samuel 8:15 esv

So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people.

2 Samuel 8:15 nlt

So David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people.

2 Samuel 8 verses

2 Samuel 8 15 Meaning

This verse concisely describes King David's reign after his military victories, emphasizing his steadfast commitment to governing the unified nation of Israel with unwavering fairness, impartial judgment, and moral rectitude. It highlights his role as a just and righteous ruler, reflecting God's own character in his administration for the benefit of all his people.

2 Samuel 8 15 Context

2 Samuel 8 marks a pivotal point in David's reign, occurring after his consolidation of power in Israel and Judah, but before the internal turmoil of Absalom's rebellion. The chapter follows significant events like the ark's arrival in Jerusalem and God's covenant promise to David in chapter 7, establishing his dynasty. Chapter 8 meticulously records David's military campaigns that extended Israel's borders and secured its surrounding regions. He subdued the Philistines, Moabites, Zobah, Aram (Syrians), and Edomites. These victories were significant as they brought security and tribute to Israel, making David a prominent regional power. Verse 15 serves as a summary statement or an interlude, highlighting the nature of David's rule amidst these triumphs. It emphasizes that David's authority was not solely marked by military might, but by his commitment to God-ordained governance characterized by justice and righteousness, setting a standard for divine kingship unlike the arbitrary rule of surrounding pagan monarchs. This adherence to divine law formed the ethical and moral bedrock of his leadership for the entire united kingdom.

2 Samuel 8 15 Word analysis

• So (וַיְהִי - wayĕhî): A common Hebrew conjunctive particle, often translated as "and it came to pass" or "now." Here, it signifies a transition or consequence, indicating that following his successful campaigns, David's rule was characterized by these specific attributes.
• David (דָּוִד - Dāwīḏ): The specific king of Israel. His name, meaning "beloved," links to his character and God's favor. As the chosen one "after God's own heart" (1 Sam 13:14), his rule inherently carried a divine mandate and responsibility.
• reigned (מֶלֶךְ - melek): Derived from the root malakh, "to be king, rule." It indicates David's established, authoritative position as sovereign over a unified realm, a culmination of God's plan for Israel.
• over all Israel (כָּל-יִשְׂרָאֵל - kol-Yiśrāʾēl): Emphasizes the complete political unification of the twelve tribes under one king, a significant achievement previously unattainable. It underscores his national, comprehensive authority and responsibility for every person within the kingdom.
• and (וְ - wə-): A simple conjunctive, connecting the statement of his reign with the manner of his reign.
• David (דָּוִד - Dāwīḏ): Repetition of the name emphasizes his personal involvement and responsibility in administering justice. It’s not just a system, but he acted justly.
• administered (עֹשֶׂה - ʿōśeh): A participle of the verb asah, "to do," "make," "perform," or "execute." Here, it signifies the active, ongoing, practical application and enforcement of justice and righteousness. It was not a passive ideal, but a dynamic, lived reality of his rule.
• justice (מִשְׁפָּט - mishpat): A crucial Hebrew concept meaning "judgment," "ordinance," "custom," or "case." It refers to fair legal proceedings, the impartial execution of laws, redress for wrongs, and the protection of the vulnerable. It implies adhering to a standard of equity based on God's laws.
• and (וּ - wū-): Connecting two intrinsic aspects of righteous rule.
• righteousness (צְדָקָה - tzedakah): Another pivotal term, signifying "right behavior," "moral rectitude," "equity," "good standing" with God, and charitable acts. It’s the moral uprightness and ethical conduct that underlies and flows from just administration, aligning human actions with divine standards. Often paired with mishpat, it suggests not just correct legal action but a life lived in conformity with God's will.
• to all his people (לְכָל-עַמּוֹ - ləkōl-ʿammō): Specifies the beneficiaries and the scope of his just and righteous rule. It highlights his impartiality, showing that these principles were applied universally without favoritism, benefiting every member of the Israelite community, irrespective of status.

• David reigned over all Israel: This phrase signifies the successful establishment and recognition of David's kingdom as a unified entity. It underlines the stability and centralized authority David achieved, fulfilling God's promise to set a king over His people.
• and David administered justice and righteousness: This is the heart of the verse, articulating the quality and ethical foundation of David's governance. It illustrates that true leadership, especially God-ordained leadership, is defined not just by power or conquest, but by the moral integrity with which that power is exercised. Mishpat and tzedakah are inseparable twins; justice ensures fair judgments, and righteousness guides the king's character and policies to align with God's perfect standards.
• to all his people: This final phrase emphasizes the impartiality and universal application of David's righteous rule. It indicates that his concern for justice extended equally to everyone, including the marginalized and the poor, ensuring the welfare and stability of the entire society.

2 Samuel 8 15 Bonus section

The pairing of "justice" (mishpat) and "righteousness" (tzedakah) is a theological bedrock throughout the Hebrew Bible, often reflecting the very nature of God (Ps 89:14, Isa 33:5). For a king, demonstrating these qualities meant imitating God's character in governance, thereby ensuring societal welfare and harmony. David's rule, despite his later personal failings, established a standard against which subsequent Israelite kings would be measured. This verse also implicitly highlights a foundational aspect of Israelite covenant theology: blessings (like military victories and a unified kingdom) were tied to adherence to God's ways, exemplified here by David's just leadership. Furthermore, David's commitment to these principles lays the groundwork for future Messianic prophecies that consistently describe the ideal King, the "Righteous Branch" (Jer 23:5), as one who will reign in perfect justice and righteousness (Isa 9:7, 11:4-5), thus presenting David as a type of the ultimate just and righteous ruler, Jesus Christ.

2 Samuel 8 15 Commentary

2 Samuel 8:15 stands as a golden summary of David's ideal kingship. Following his expansive military victories and the establishment of his dominion, the text clarifies that David's reign was defined not by mere conquest, but by the application of divine principles. He was the earthly embodiment of God's righteous rule, administering "justice" (mishpat), which means ensuring fair legal outcomes, equity, and the protection of the weak, and "righteousness" (tzedakah), which encompasses moral integrity, ethical conduct, and doing what is right in God's eyes. This was applied "to all his people," indicating impartiality and universal access to a just system. This verse portrays David as fulfilling the covenant ideal of a king who shepherds God's people in line with divine law, contrasting with the often despotic rule of pagan monarchs. His commitment laid a strong ethical and societal foundation for Israel's unified kingdom, reflecting his calling as a man after God's own heart.