And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And [so] the Moabites became David's servants, [and] brought gifts.
Ver. 2. And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line.] He used this great severity against them, say the Rabbis, because they had treacherously slain his father and mother, whom he had left with them. 1Sa 22:3-4 Howsoever, the Moabites were ever bitter enemies to the Israelites. See Numbers 22:3. See Trapp on " Num 22:3 "
And measured them with a line.] As a carpenter marketh out with a line Isa 44:13 what he meaneth to hew off. Compare Isaiah 34:11 .
And with one full line to keep alive.] See a like mixture of severity and mercy in Zechariah 13:8,9. So Christ will at the last day shed and sever the sheep from the goats. Mat 25:32-33
And so the Moabites became David's servants.] Even his wash pots, Psa 60:8 and that prophecy was in part fulfilled, Numbers 24:17 .