Arcana Coelestia # 1715
1715. And pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left of Damascus. That this signifies as far as this extended, is evident from the signification of “Hobah, which is on the left of Damascus.” It is not known where Hobah was situated, as there is no further mention of it in the Word. But Damascus was the principal city of Syria (as is evident from 2 Samuel 8:5-6; Isaiah 7:8); and by it is signified almost the same as by Syria (spok en of before, Genesis 10:22). The farthest boundary of the land of Canaan, beyond Dan, is described as being Damascus, as in Amos:
Ye have taken up Siccuth your king, and Chiun your images; the star of your gods which ye made to yourselves, and I will cause you to go away beyond Damascus (Amos 5:26-27).
The boundary of the holy land, or of the Lord’s kingdom, toward the north, is also called the “boundary of Damascus” (Ezekiel 47:16-18, 48:1). Here, where it is said that they were smitten and driven as far as Hobah, which is on the left of Damascus, there is signified the extent to which the apparent goods and truths were purified. But unless it is known what was the character of the apparent goods and truths, and by what means they were purified so as to be made genuine, it cannot be explained what is properly meant here by Hobah, on the left of Damascus; except in a general way, that they were purified.
2 Samuel 8
1
After this it happened that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.
2
He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.
3
David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.
4
David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots.
5
When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6
Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
7
David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8
From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
9
When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer,
10
then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. [Joram] brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
11
These also did king David dedicate to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued;
12
of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13
David earned a reputation when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.
14
He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
15
David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness to all his people.
16
Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
17
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe;
18
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was over] the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers.
