(2) Much abridged, as compared with Samuel. After the words "he smote Moab," we read there of a partial massacre of the conquered. The emission is scarcely due to any unfair bias on the part of the chronicler. Indeed, as a Jew, possessed with all the national exclusiveness and hatred of the aliens who always misunderstood and sometimes cruelly oppressed his people, he was not likely to regard the slaughter of captive Moabites from a modern point of view. (Comp. Ezra 6:21; Ezra 6:9-10; Nehemiah 2:19; Nehemiah 2:4; Nehemiah 2:6; Nehemiah 2:13) Besides, he has related the cruel treatment of the Ammonite prisoners (1Chronicles 20:3). (See the prophecy, Numbers 24:17.)

And the Moabites became.--Literally, and they became--viz., Moab. The name of the country denotes the people. Samuel has "and Moab [i.e., the country] became" (verb singular feminine).

David's servants.--Samuel, "to David for servants."

And brought gifts.--Literally, bringers of an offering--i.e., tribute. Similar notices are common in the Assyrian inscriptions. (Comp. 1Kings 4:21; 2Kings 3:4; and the famous Moabite inscription of which the fragments are now in the Louvre, and which records Mesha's revolt against the successor of Ahab.)

Verse 2. - Brought gifts; i.e. in the light of tribute and of acknowledgment of subjection. There are curious additions to this passage in the parallel place, telling the punishment inflicted on Moab: "He smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground [i.e. causing them to lie prostrate]; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive." This appears to mean that he put to death two parts of them, and kept the third part alive. The reason of this deliberate and severe punishment is not stated. Once David and the Moabites had been on very different terms (1 Samuel 22:3, 4; but see also Psalm 60:8).

18:1-17 David's victories. - This chapter is the same as 2Sa 8. Our good fight of faith, under the Captain of our salvation, will end in everlasting triumph and peace. The happiness of Israel, through David's victories, and just government, faintly shadowed forth the happiness of the redeemed in the realms above.See Chapter Introduction