2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 8:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In the Second Book of Kings, we encounter the account of David's victory over the Moabites, which presents a profound symbolism of life and death. This distinction becomes evident when we reflect on the narrative of Orpah and Ruth. Orpah chose to return to the idolatrous practices of her homeland, sealing her fate to death. In contrast, Ruth, whose name signifies ‘pleasant,’ committed herself to her mother-in-law, declaring, “Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

What is meant by the phrase, ‘David smote Moab, and measured them with terrors, and laid them in the land’ (2 Sam. 8:2)? The victory was so definitive and the number of captives so vast that counting them became nearly impossible. Therefore, David instructed the captives to lie face down on the ground, dividing them into three groups; he executed two of these groups while sparing one, commanding them to pay tribute. Moreover, Aquila interpreted ‘the manes of the Syrians of gold’ (2 Sam. 8:7) as ‘necklaces,’ and Imath (2 Sam. 8:9) referred to it as ‘Epiphanies of Syria.’