”Then he defeated Moab. Forcing them down to the ground, he measured them off with a line. With two lines he measured off those to be put to death, and with one full line those to be kept alive. So the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought tribute.“ II Samuel 8:2 NKJV
”He defeated Moab, and measured them with a length of rope, making them lie down on the ground; he measured two lengths to [choose those to] put to death, and one full length to [choose those to] be kept alive. And the [surviving] Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute.“ 2 Samuel 8:2 AMP
a. He defeated Moab: David’s war against Moab and his harsh treatment of their army seemed out of place considering that David’s great-grandmother was a Moabite (Ruth) and that he entrusted his mother and father into the care of the Moabites (1 Samuel 22:3-4). It may be that the Moabites killed or mistreated David’s parents.
b. Brought tribute: God did not want Israel to destroy every neighbor nation. Generally, God wanted Israel to be so blessed and strong that other nations were “taxed” by Israel, thus recognizing their strength and dominance. (Guzik)
Two or One Full Line?
We don’t know why David did this as the Bible doesn’t mention it.
I had read four different translations trying to understand the meaning of the two or one line length and it appears if they were small and possibly young David spared their lives?
The book of Ruth (David’s great grandmother) is a short, good book of God’s love and how He works in all circumstances for those who love him.
Do you love God?
Blessings
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