Zobah(zoba)
Summary
An Aramean kingdom in Syria whose kings were defeated by both Saul and David, and whose conquest greatly expanded Israel's northern border.
☩Wars with Israel
Zobah was an Aramean kingdom first mentioned in connection with Saul's wars against Israel's enemies. When David sought to extend his boundary to the Euphrates, he came into conflict with Zobah's king Hadadezer. David achieved a great victory, taking many prisoners and capturing access to the rich copper mines of the region. Damascus came to Hadadezer's aid but was also defeated. During David's Ammonite war, the Ammonites hired forces from Zobah and other Aramean states, but David again prevailed.
☩Location and Significance
Zobah lay in Syria, generally north of Damascus along the eastern slopes of the Anti-Lebanon mountains extending toward the desert. Its position between Hamath and Damascus made it strategically important. The kingdom was rich in natural resources, including copper mines and productive agricultural land. Solomon later appears to have subdued Hamath-zobah as well. After David's victories, Rezon son of Eliada broke away from Hadadezer and seized Damascus, establishing a kingdom hostile to Israel that would trouble Solomon's reign.
Related Verses15 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Zobah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.American Tract Society, "Zobah," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).