The Moabites, descendants of Lot through his elder daughter (Genesis 19:37), were a significant people group located east of the Dead Sea. Throughout biblical history, the Moabites had a complex and often adversarial relationship with the Israelites. Despite their shared ancestry, the Moabites frequently opposed Israel, both politically and spiritually.

The subjugation of the Moabites by King David is a notable event in the biblical narrative, illustrating the expansion of David's kingdom and the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. The account of the Moabites becoming tributary to David is recorded in 2 Samuel 8:2: "David also defeated the Moabites and made them lie down on the ground. Then he measured them off with a cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute."

This passage highlights David's military prowess and strategic acumen. By subduing the Moabites, David secured the eastern border of his kingdom, ensuring peace and stability for Israel. The tribute brought by the Moabites likely included valuable resources such as livestock, grain, and precious metals, which contributed to the wealth and prosperity of David's reign.

The subjugation of the Moabites also had theological implications. It demonstrated the sovereignty of the God of Israel over the nations and fulfilled the divine mandate given to Israel to possess the land promised to their forefathers. The Moabites' submission to David can be seen as a partial fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant, wherein God promised to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse them (Genesis 12:3).

Despite their subjugation, the Moabites continued to exist as a distinct people group. Their relationship with Israel remained complex, as evidenced by later interactions, including the account of Ruth, a Moabite woman who became an ancestor of David (Ruth 4:13-22). This narrative underscores the possibility of redemption and inclusion within the covenant community, even for those outside the initial bounds of Israel.

The Moabites' tributary status under David's rule is a testament to the geopolitical and spiritual dynamics of the ancient Near East. It reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over the nations and His ability to use Israel as an instrument of His divine purposes.2 Samuel 8:2,12
And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm LX.
... ver.3): to Thy people now, made tributary after the ... of confusion among men, a heap
of witness was made. ... is, ill using the law, engendered the Moabites, by whom ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lx.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... of Israel, against the Moabites, with Jehoshaphat's tributary, the King ... and Judah,
seemed to the Moabites as blood ... and slain each other, they made an unguarded ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Israelites
... Moabites and Midianites, Ammonites and Bedawin, even the king ... west of the Jordan,
while their tributary vassal, David ... His nephew Joab was made commander-in-chief ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... still governed by its own kings, tributary vassals though ... One of them, Eglon, made
himself master of southern ... It had been better for the Moabites, however, had ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... of ??glom [2038] king of the Moabites for eighteen ... his stead, who continued his tributary
for eleven ... supremacy of the Persians, Nebuchodonosor made war against ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... which we advance this assertion is made in opposition ... Covenant-people, which the
[Pg 360] Moabites were too ... this wicked deed against the king tributary to them ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... From thence they made their way into the narrow valleys of the Haroyu, and overran ...
allowed of its being carried into effect, and that the tributary races and ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... border; and the crime of the Moabites, rebuked in ... the preceding context, there has
been mention made of the ... The rebellion of a heathen tributary people does not ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The Philistines and the Hebrew kingdom"Saul, David, Solomon, the ... manner as to avoid
the Midianites and the Moabites. ... for either by an alliance made with Moab ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... He did not live long to enjoy his triumphs, but his death made no impression
on the impulse given to the fortunes of his country. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Who were the Moabites? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Moab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Ehud? | GotQuestions.org

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