1. after this] The phrase is adopted from 2 Samuel viii. 1 and probably came originally from a still earlier book of annals, in which the context may have been different. We cannot therefore say at what period of David’s reign the conquest of Gath took place.
took Gath and her towns] It is impossible to say for certain whether this is the original text or only an interpretation of the obscure reading in 2 Samuel viii. 1, took the bridle of the mother city (Revised Version).
²And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought presents.
2. smote Moab] The Chronicler at this point omits, as he often omits, some difficult words of Samuel. 2 Samuel viii. 2 seems to say that David put two-thirds of the Moabites (presumably the warriors) to death, but the meaning of the verse is uncertain.
brought presents] i.e. tribute, in acknowledgment of David’s superiority. The same Hebrew phrase (translated “bring an offering”) is used Psalms xcvi. 8 of sacrificing to Jehovah.
³And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto[¹] Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
[¹] Or, by.
3. Hadarezer] So spelt in 2 Samuel x. 16–19, but in 2 Samuel viii. 3–12, Hadadezer, the right form (as inscriptions show).
Zobah unto Hamath] Render as margin Zobah by Hamath, the position of Zobah being fixed by the note that it was near Hamath.
Hamath] The modern Hama on the Orontes, midway between Antioch and Damascus, but somewhat further to the east than either. See below verse 9; also xiii. 5 and 2 Chronicles viii. 3.