David smote the Philistines, and subdued them In the beginning of his reign they had invaded Israel twice, and were successfully repulsed. But now David invaded their country, made a conquest of it, and brought it under subjection to the Israelites. David took Metheg-ammah That is, Gath and her towns, as it is expressed in the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 18:1, which are called Metheg-ammah, or the bridle of Ammah, because Gath was situate in the mountain of Ammah; and because this being the chief city of the Philistines, and having a king, which none of the rest had, was the bridle which had hitherto kept the Israelites in subjection.
Related Commentaries of 2 Samuel 8:1
2 Samuel 8:1
1 And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammaha out of the hand of the Philistines.