2 Samuel 8:5
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
2 Samuel 8:5 belongs to the clear narrative record of David's wars and victories over his enemies as he became king over all Israel. The chapter marks the time when the Lord had given David rest round about from his enemies, prompting him to consider building a house for God. When the Syrians of Damascus came to aid Hadadezer king of Zobah, David defeated them and killed twenty-two thousand men. After the defeat David placed garrisons in Syria of Damascus, the Syrians became his servants, and Damascus was brought under his control and taken.
These victories built up David's kingdom under God's providence, extending Israel's boundaries and enlarging the kingdom. They brought Damascus under his control and extended his territory eastward to the Euphrates. Yet these wars made David a man of war and disqualified him from building God's house, a work of peace.
These conquests mark the height of David's power and prosperity, shortly before he was tempted and fell. Damascus later passed out of Israel's control near the end of Solomon's reign. In studying the chapter, focus should be on the results rather than dwelling on the slaughter, since people do not know all the reasons events were permitted or see their outcome in full.