II Shmuel 8: Eye of the Tiger

The average movie is around 2 hours, however the timeframe of the movie usually takes place over longer periods of time. To solve for this, films employ the classic film-making tool called a montage. In a montage, several scenes are depicted in quick succession showing events that take place over a longer period of time, typically accompanied by music. A classic example of this is the training scene in Rocky with “Eye of the Tiger” playing in the background.Chapter 8 of II Samuel is the biblical version of the montage. After David solidifies his kingdom, and his request to build the Temple is denied, he goes on several quests to expand Israel’s territory and subdue the enemies around him. Chapter 8 hits nations in the north, south, and west. David expands the borders to the lines that God promised Abraham. All of this happens in 12 short verses. The chapter rapidly moves from one victory to another: over the Philistines (וַיַּךְ דָּוִד אֶת־פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיַּכְנִיעֵם) (II Samuel 8:1), Moab (וַיַּךְ אֶת־מוֹאָב) (II Samuel 8:2), Aram and Hadadezer (וַיַּךְ דָּוִד אֶת־הֲדַדְעֶזֶר בֶּן־רְחֹב מֶלֶךְ צוֹבָה) (II Samuel 8:3), and Edom (וַיָּשֶׂם בֶּאֱדוֹם נְצִבִים) (II Samuel 8:14), while repeatedly emphasizing that וַה׳ הוֹשִׁיעַ אֶת־דָּוִד בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר הָלָךְ (“the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went”) (II Samuel 8:6, 14).“David gained fame (made a name for himself) when he returned from defeating Edom in the Valley of Salt, 18,000 in all” (וַיַּעַשׂ דָּוִד שֵׁם בְּשֻׁבוֹ מֵהַכּוֹתוֹ אֶת־אֲרָם בְּגֵיא־מֶלַח שְׁמוֹנָה עָשָׂר אָלֶף) (verse 13). David’s reputation as a leader and warrior is now known across the Middle East.The Tanach of the Land of Israel, book of Samuel, explains that “David made a name for himself” may mean that he erected a stone stele as was the custom of contemporary leaders. These stone monuments told of great victories by the monarch. The fact that David may have built one or more of these monuments is testament to the extent of his power. David felt secure enough as leader of the Israelites to announce his victories in the same manner of the kings he had just defeated.