2 Samuel 8 7

2 Samuel 8:7 kjv

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

2 Samuel 8:7 nkjv

And David took the shields of gold that had belonged to the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 8:7 niv

David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 8:7 esv

And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 8:7 nlt

David brought the gold shields of Hadadezer's officers to Jerusalem,

2 Samuel 8 verses

2 Samuel 8 7 Meaning

This verse describes David's act of taking the golden shields from the elite guard or retainers of Hadadezer, the king of Zobah, following his decisive victory over the Aramean forces. These items, symbols of Hadadezer's power, wealth, and military prestige, were then brought to Jerusalem. This act signified the complete subjugation of a formidable enemy, demonstrating God's empowerment of David and the transfer of imperial wealth to God's chosen king and his capital, destined for purposes greater than earthly glory.

2 Samuel 8 7 Context

2 Samuel chapter 8 recounts a series of David's military campaigns that consolidated his kingdom and fulfilled prophetic promises. Following the establishment of Jerusalem as his capital and the reception of the Davidic covenant in chapter 7, David systematically defeated surrounding enemies, including the Philistines, Moabites, and Syrians (Aramaeans). His victory over Hadadezer, king of Zobah, was particularly significant as Hadadezer was a powerful regional rival, and defeating him effectively established David's dominion over the lands up to the Euphrates River. Verse 7 specifically details the appropriation of valuable spoils from Hadadezer's forces, highlighting not only the extent of David's victory but also the material gains that would eventually contribute to the glory and establishment of God's house in Jerusalem. This was not mere plunder, but the collection of resources and symbols of earthly power to be repurposed for God's divine plan.

2 Samuel 8 7 Word analysis

• And David took (וַיִּקַּח דָּוִד - vayyiqqaḥ Dawid): Vayyiqqaḥ implies active seizure or appropriation, not merely finding or inheriting. It emphasizes David's direct agency and authority as a conquering king. This action demonstrates the transfer of power and possession from the defeated to the victor, showing absolute dominion.
• the shields of gold (שִׁלְטֵי הַזָּהָב - shilte ha-zahav): Shilte (plural of shelet) often refers to ornamental or ceremonial shields, perhaps used by a royal guard or for display. They symbolize prestige, wealth, and the splendor of a king's court. Zahav (gold) denotes immense value, indicating that Hadadezer's wealth was significant and these items were prominent markers of his royal power and status. The taking of these particular items, rather than just raw gold, symbolizes the dismantling of the enemy king's perceived glory and protection.
• that were on the servants of Hadadezer: "Servants" (אֶל-עַבְדֵי - el-ʿavde) here refers not to slaves but to high-ranking officials, personal guards, or military elite. These would be Hadadezer's most trusted and visible men. Taking the shields from them highlights the profound humiliation and complete defeat of Hadadezer's inner circle and his power structure. Hadadezer was king of Zobah, a major Aramaean kingdom in northern Syria, and a significant regional power that previously challenged other kingdoms.
• and brought them to Jerusalem: This phrase signifies the centralization of power and wealth in David's newly established capital. Jerusalem was the seat of David's kingdom and was destined to become the religious center. Bringing the spoils there indicates their contribution to the city's growing importance and, implicitly, to the future Temple's treasury, aligning earthly resources with God's divine purposes for His people. It also signifies a ritual transfer of glory and blessing.

Words-group analysis:

• David took... and brought them to Jerusalem: This phrase underscores David's role as God's instrument in consolidating the kingdom. He is actively gathering the wealth and symbols of defeated foes and bringing them to the divinely chosen center. This act highlights David's obedience and participation in God's broader plan for Israel. The spoils become part of the collective wealth of Israel under God's appointed king.
• the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer: This specific detail elevates the victory beyond mere territory gain to the humiliation and disarming of a powerful adversary's most distinguished forces. It emphasizes the opulence and high status of Hadadezer, making his downfall even more impactful and showcasing the extent of David's divine enablement against a truly formidable foe. The appropriation of such prestigious items meant Hadadezer's power was definitively broken and his "glory" transferred.

2 Samuel 8 7 Bonus section

The "shields of gold" taken by David from Hadadezer's servants were later, along with other dedications, intended for the future Temple, as recorded in 2 Samuel 8:11 and 1 Chronicles 18:11. While David himself did not build the Temple, he accumulated resources for it. Solomon, David's son, indeed made extensive use of gold in the construction and ornamentation of the First Temple (1 Kgs 6-7). Interestingly, a future king of Judah, Rehoboam, David's grandson, lost these very same golden shields when the Egyptian Pharaoh Shishak plundered Jerusalem (1 Kgs 14:25-26). Rehoboam subsequently replaced them with bronze shields. This transition from gold to bronze symbolically highlights the decline of the Davidic dynasty's material glory and spiritual purity after the united kingdom fractured, showing the fleeting nature of earthly treasures compared to enduring covenant blessings.

2 Samuel 8 7 Commentary

2 Samuel 8:7 concisely describes a symbolic act within David's comprehensive military victories. By seizing Hadadezer's elite golden shields, David was not merely taking valuable war spoils; he was disarming a powerful enemy, symbolically stripping away his authority and splendor. These gold items, indicative of immense wealth and prestige, signified Hadadezer's royal identity and the strength of his forces. The bringing of these spoils to Jerusalem underscores God's hand in empowering David to extend his kingdom and acquire vast resources. This wealth was not intended for David's personal indulgence, but was earmarked to contribute to the future glory of Jerusalem and, specifically, the building of the Lord's Temple, illustrating how even the spoils of war could be consecrated for sacred purposes, aligning with God's ultimate ownership of all riches. It powerfully demonstrated that Yahweh, not pagan gods, bestowed victory and dominion.