2 Samuel 8:6

“Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus, etc.] Which was Coele-Syria, and lay between Libanus and Antilibanus, the chief city of which was Damascus; which Curtius f141 calls Damascus of Syria, being the head of it, (<230708>Isaiah 7:8); in the principal places of which he put garrisons of soldiers to keep the country in subjection to him; or he put commanders or governors, as the Targum, in the, chief cities, and so Ben Gersom and R. Isaiah interpret it: and the Syrians became servants to David, [and] brought gifts; or paid him tribute by way of homage, acknowledging themselves his subjects: and the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went; he covered his head in the day of battle,…”

“Garrisons - The word is used for officers in 1 Kings 4:5, 1 Kings 4:19, and some think that that is its meaning here. Perhaps, however, it is best to take it with the King James Version in the same sense as in 1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Samuel 13:3. Brought gifts - Rather, “tribute” (and in 2 Samuel 8:2); meaning they became subject and tributary. return to 'Top of Page'”

“8:6 David established army garrisons in Aram but not in Moab (8:2), which suggests that Aram was a more formidable force and that David needed a military presence there to maintain control. • the Lord made David victorious: Cp. 8:14. God was the real source of David’s growth and power.”

“garrisons: Sa2 8:14, Sa2 23:14; Sa1 13:3, Sa1 14:1, Sa1 14:6, Sa1 14:15; Ch2 17:2; Psa 18:34-46 became: Sa2 8:2 the Lord: Sa2 8:14, Sa2 7:9; Ch1 18:13; Psa 5:11, Psa 5:12, Psa 121:7, Psa 121:8, Psa 140:7, Psa 144:1, Psa 144:2; Pro 21:31 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 8:7”