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 Near East during the time of King David and King Saul. The kingdom is noted for its military strength and wealth, and it frequently interacted with the Israelites, often as an adversary.

Biblical References:
Zoba is first mentioned in the context of King Saul's reign. In 1 Samuel 14:47 , it is recorded that "Saul fought against all his enemies on every side: against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines." This indicates that Zoba was one of the prominent regional powers during Saul's time.

The most detailed accounts of Zoba are found during the reign of King David. In 2 Samuel 8:3-8 , David's military campaigns against Zoba are described: "David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his control along the Euphrates River. David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses except a hundred he kept for himself." This passage highlights the military prowess of Zoba and the significant victory David achieved over them.

Geographical Location:
The exact location of Zoba is not definitively known, but it is generally believed to have been situated in the region of modern-day Syria, possibly extending towards the Euphrates River. The kingdom's strategic location made it a key player in the power dynamics of the ancient Near East.

Political and Military Influence:
Zoba was a formidable kingdom with a strong military presence. The accounts of David's battles against Zoba suggest that it had a well-equipped army, including chariots and cavalry. The kingdom's influence extended over a considerable area, and it was involved in various alliances and conflicts with neighboring states.

Relations with Israel:
The relationship between Zoba and Israel was primarily adversarial, marked by military confrontations. However, the defeat of Zoba by David significantly altered the balance of power in the region. The victory over Zoba allowed David to expand his kingdom and secure Israel's borders, contributing to the establishment of a period of peace and prosperity during his reign.

Cultural and Economic Aspects:
While the Bible does not provide extensive details about the culture and economy of Zoba, its mention alongside other wealthy and powerful kingdoms suggests that it was a prosperous region. The spoils taken by David, including gold, silver, and bronze, indicate that Zoba was rich in resources and engaged in trade.

Legacy:
The kingdom of Zoba, though eventually subdued by David, remains an important part of biblical history. Its interactions with Israel highlight the complex political and military landscape of the ancient Near East. The accounts of Zoba in the Bible serve as a testament to the challenges faced by the Israelites in establishing their nation and the divine assistance they believed they received in overcoming their enemies.Zoba or Zobah

(station), the name of a portion of Syria which formed a separate kingdom in the time of the Jewish monarchs Saul, David and Solomon. It probably was eastward of Coele-Syria, and extended thence northeast and east toward, if not even to, the Euphrates. We first hear of Zobah in the time of Saul, when we find it mentioned as a separate country, governed apparently by a number of kings who owned no common head or chief. (1 Samuel 14:47) Some forty years later than this we find Zobah under a single ruler Hadadezer son of Rehob. He had wars with Toi king of Hamath, (2 Samuel 8:10) and held various petty Syrian princes as vassals under his yoke. (2 Samuel 10:19) David, (2 Samuel 8:3) attacked Hadadezer in the early part of his reign, defeated his army, and took from him a thousand chariots, seven hundred (seven thousand,) (1 Chronicles 18:4) horsemen and 20,000 footmen. Hadadezer's allies, the Syrians of Damascus, were defeated in a great battle. The wealth of Zobah is very apparent in the narrative of this campaign. A man of Zobah, Rezon son of Eliadah, made himself master of Damascus where he proved a fierce adversary to Israel all through the reign of Solomon. (1 Kings 11:23-25) Solomon also was, it would seem engaged in a war with Zobah itself. (2 Chronicles 8:3) This is the last that we hear of Zobah in Scripture. The name however, is found at a later date in the inscriptions of Assyria, where the kingdom of Zobah seems to intervene between Hamath and Damascus.

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

'More than Conquerors through Him'
... in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob ... of
small states of which we barely know the names, the chief of which was Zobah. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/more than conquerors through him.htm

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

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