Introduction:
Zoba, also referred to as Zobah, is a significant Aramean kingdom mentioned in the Old Testament. It played a crucial role in the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East during the time of King David and King Solomon. The kingdom of Zoba is primarily noted for its interactions and conflicts with Israel, as recorded in the historical books of the Bible.

Biblical References:
Zoba is first mentioned in the context of King Saul's reign, but it becomes more prominent during the reign of King David. The kingdom is frequently associated with military campaigns and territorial expansion.

1. David's Campaigns Against Zoba:
In 2 Samuel 8:3, we read about David's military campaign against Hadadezer, the king of Zoba: "David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his control along the Euphrates River." This victory was significant as it extended Israel's influence and secured its borders against northern threats.

2. The Wealth of Zoba:
The wealth and resources of Zoba are highlighted in 2 Samuel 8:7-8: "David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. And from Betah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a great amount of bronze." These spoils of war contributed to the wealth of Israel and the construction of the Temple under Solomon.

3. Alliances and Conflicts:
Zoba's interactions with other regional powers are evident in 2 Samuel 10:6, where the Ammonites hire Aramean forces from Zoba to fight against David: "When the Ammonites realized they had become a stench to David, they sent and hired Arameans from Beth-rehob and Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, as well as the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and twelve thousand men from Tob."

4. Solomon's Reign:
During Solomon's reign, Zoba is mentioned in the context of Solomon's wisdom and wealth. In 1 Kings 11:23-25, Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zoba, becomes an adversary to Solomon: "God raised up Rezon son of Eliada as an adversary against Solomon, having fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah. Rezon gathered men around him and became the leader of a marauding band after David killed the Arameans. They went to Damascus, where they settled and gained control."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Zoba was located in the region of Aram, north of Israel, and its exact boundaries are not clearly defined in the biblical text. It is generally believed to have been situated in the area of modern-day Syria, possibly extending towards the Euphrates River. The kingdom was known for its military strength and chariots, which were a significant component of its army.

Theological Significance:
The interactions between Israel and Zoba highlight the theme of God's providence and favor towards Israel. David's victories over Zoba are seen as a fulfillment of God's promises to establish Israel as a dominant power in the region. The wealth acquired from Zoba contributed to the prosperity and splendor of Solomon's reign, which is often viewed as a high point in Israel's history.

Conclusion:
While Zoba is not as frequently mentioned as other neighboring nations, its role in the biblical narrative underscores the complex political and military dynamics of the ancient Near East. The kingdom's interactions with Israel serve as a backdrop for understanding the expansion and consolidation of Israel under David and Solomon.6678. Tsoba -- an Aramean (Syrian) kingdom
... Zoba, Zobah. Or Tsowbah {tso-baw'}; or Tsobah {tso-baw'}; from an unused root meaning
to station; a station; Zoba or Zobah, a region of Syria -- Zoba, Zobah. ...
/hebrew/6678.htm - 6k

Persistency in Wrong Doing.
... He at once sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty
thousand foot soldiers, and of King Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-tob ...
/.../xliii persistency in wrong doing.htm

'More than Conquerors through Him'
... 'And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering
in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ish-tob, and Maacah ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/more than conquerors through him.htm

The Teaching of the Apostles.
... 9. Edessa, and all the countries round about it which were on all sides of it, and
Zoba, [3117] and Arabia, and all the north, and the regions round about it ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents the teaching 2.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Zoba (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Zoba (2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 10:6 When the children
of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David ...
/z/zoba.htm - 7k

Zobah (15 Occurrences)
... by David in person at Helam, and a great slaughter ensued, Shobach himself being
among the slain (2 Samuel 10:6-19, the King James Version "Zoba"; 1 Chronicles ...
/z/zobah.htm - 15k

Ishtob (2 Occurrences)
... the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent
and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand ...
/i/ishtob.htm - 7k

Ish-tob (2 Occurrences)
... saw that they had made themselves odious before David, the children of Ammon sent
and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand ...
/i/ish-tob.htm - 7k

Bene-ammon (44 Occurrences)
... 10:6 And the Bene-Ammon see that they have been abhorred by David, and the
Bene-Ammon send and hire Aram of Beth-Rehob, and Aram of Zoba, twenty thousand ...
/b/bene-ammon.htm - 20k

Zo'ar (10 Occurrences)
Zo'ar. Zoar, Zo'ar. Zoba . Multi-Version Concordance Zo'ar (10 Occurrences).
Genesis ... desolate. (See RSV). Zoar, Zo'ar. Zoba . Reference Bible.
/z/zo'ar.htm - 9k

Bethrehob (2 Occurrences)
... the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent
and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand ...
/b/bethrehob.htm - 8k

Abhorred (31 Occurrences)
... 10:6 And the Bene-Ammon see that they have been abhorred by David, and the
Bene-Ammon send and hire Aram of Beth-Rehob, and Aram of Zoba, twenty thousand ...
/a/abhorred.htm - 16k

Stank (6 Occurrences)
... the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent
and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand ...
/s/stank.htm - 8k

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