Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, the kingdom of Syria plays a significant role during the reign of King David, particularly in the context of military conflicts. The account of David's interactions with Syria is primarily found in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles, where the geopolitical dynamics of the ancient Near East are vividly depicted.
Background and ContextSyria, known in the Hebrew Bible as Aram, was a region located to the north of Israel, encompassing several city-states, including Damascus. During the time of King David, Syria was a formidable power with a well-established military presence. The political landscape of the region was characterized by alliances and conflicts among various kingdoms, including Israel, Ammon, and Zobah.
Conflict with HadadezerThe conflict involving David and the Syrian army is intricately linked to Hadadezer, the king of Zobah. Hadadezer sought to expand his influence and power, which brought him into direct conflict with David. The biblical account in
2 Samuel 8:3-6 describes how David struck down Hadadezer as he went to restore his control at the Euphrates River. This victory was significant in establishing David's dominance in the region.
Assistance to HadadezerThe Syrians, particularly those from Damascus, came to the aid of Hadadezer during his conflict with David. This alliance is noted in
2 Samuel 8:5 : "When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand men." The intervention of the Syrian forces was a strategic move to support Hadadezer against the rising power of Israel under David's leadership.
David's Victory Over SyriaDavid's military prowess is highlighted in his decisive victory over the Syrian forces. The biblical narrative emphasizes the scale of this triumph, as recorded in
1 Chronicles 18:5-6 : "When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand men. Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went."
This victory not only subdued the Syrian forces but also resulted in the establishment of garrisons in Damascus, effectively bringing the region under David's control. The tribute paid by the Syrians further solidified David's influence and the expansion of his kingdom.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, David's victories, including the defeat of the Syrian army, are often seen as a testament to the divine favor and covenantal promises bestowed upon him. The repeated phrase "the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went" underscores the belief that David's military successes were not merely the result of human strategy but were orchestrated by divine providence.
The subjugation of Syria and other neighboring nations is viewed within the biblical narrative as part of God's plan to establish Israel as a dominant power in the region, fulfilling the promises made to the patriarchs and to David himself. This period of expansion and consolidation under David's rule is seen as a precursor to the peace and prosperity that would characterize the reign of his son, Solomon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Samuel 8:5And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succor Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
How David Brought under the Philistines, and the Moabites, and the ...
... a thousand of his chariots, and destroyed the greatest ... Damascus, and the other parts
of Syria, and had ... took away when he fought with David's grandson, Rehoboam ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how david brought.htm
The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... The name of his successor is destroyed in the ... outlying dependencies"Cilicia, Melitene,
Northern Syria, and then ... The army, while composed chiefly of the same ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm
Resources
Who is the king of the South in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Antioch in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Naaman in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgSyria: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
