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2 Samuel 8:1-2
New English Translation
2 Samuel 8:1-2
New English Translation
David Subjugates Nearby Nations
8 Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. David took Metheg Ammah[a] from the Philistines.[b] 2 He defeated the Moabites. He made them lie on the ground and then used a rope to measure them off. He put two-thirds of them to death and spared the other third.[c] The Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute.[d]
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- 2 Samuel 8:1 tn Heb “the bridle of one cubit.” Many English versions treat this as a place name because the parallel text in 1 Chr 18:1 reads “Gath” (which is used by NLT here). It is possible that “the bridle of one cubit” is to be understood as “the token of surrender,” referring to the Philistine’s defeat rather than a specific place (cf. TEV, CEV).
- 2 Samuel 8:1 tn Heb “from the hand [i.e., control] of the Philistines.”
- 2 Samuel 8:2 tn Heb “and he measured [with] two [lengths] of rope to put to death and [with] the fullness of the rope to keep alive.”
- 2 Samuel 8:2 tn Heb “and the Moabites were servants of David, carriers of tribute.”
2 Samuel 8:1-2
New International Version
2 Samuel 8:1-2
New International Version
David’s Victories(A)
8 In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines(B) and subdued(C) them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines.
2 David also defeated the Moabites.(D) He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.(E)
New English Translation (NET)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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