War and Peace – Enemies and Friends: 8:1–14  In contrast to the relaxed narrative style of the surrounding chapters, this is a terse summary of David’s military successes against the surrounding tribes. These verse fill in the background and explain how the LORD gave him rest from all his enemies (7:1).

David’s victories eventually led to the stage where the Philistines no longer posed a serious threat. In a similar way, the other tribes surrounding Israel were subdued and often subjugated. Some, like Hamath (a tribe from the northwest of Israel above the Aramean region), who were not defeated in battle, nevertheless brought tribute (v. 9). Edom in the south, Ammon and Moab in the east, and the Arameans in the north ceased to cause any major problems for some time.

Not only were Israel’s bor…