zoba Summary and Overview

ZO'BA , and ZO'BAH (station), a portion of Syria. It was one of the kingdoms of Aram, known as Aramzobah. See Aram. It embraced the country between the north-east of Palestine and the Euphrates. It was the home of a powerful nation, whose kings were engaged in frequent wars with Israel during the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon. Saul "vexed them." 1 Sam 14:47. David defeated King Hadadezer and the Syrians who came to his assistance with great loss. 2 Sam 8:3-8, 2 Sam 8:12; 1 Chr 18:3-8; Ps 60, title. Again, in David's time, they and the "Syrians beyond the river," their allies, were defeated by Joab. 2 Sam 10:6-13; 1 Chr 19:6. One of David's mighty men was "the son of Nathan of Zobah." 2 Sam 23:36. The nation, though severely punished, was not destroyed, and we read of a Hadadezer, king of Zobah, in Solomon's time, 1 Kgs 11:23, and Solomon took Hamath-zobah. 2 Chr 8:3. See Hamath. Other towns of Zobah are mentioned - Betah, Berothal, and perhaps Helam. 2 Sam 8:8; 2 Sam 10:6. Porter suggests it as just possible that the biblical Zobah. which was situated between Hamath and Damascus, may be identical with Emesa, the modern Hums. The region possesses a rich soil, abundant water, and a genial climate, but the towns and villages are in ruins and the Bedouins are the principal inhabitants. The cities of Zobah are forsaken.

ZOBA or ZOBAH. A Syrian kingdom that warred on Saul and David successively (1 Samuel 14:47; 2 Samuel 8:3; 2 Samuel 8:7-8; 2 Samuel 10:6; 2 Samuel 10:19). It adjoined the Damascus territory, and stretched toward the Euphrates; probably E. of Coelosyria. David gave so effectual a blow to its power that it became his tributary; and the only trouble which it afterward gave was when Rezon of Zoba became master of Damascus, and was an adversary of Israel all the days of Solomon. Hadadezer had several petty kings as his vassals. (See HADADEZER .) So wealthy had his kingdom been then that some of his servants bare shields of gold, which David took. Its cities Betah or Tibhath, and Berothai or Chun, yielded David "exceeding much brass."

David in his first conflict with Zoba slew of the Syrians of Damascus, allies of Hadadezer, 22,000, and took from Hadadezer 1,000 chariots, 700 horsemen, and 20,000 footmen, and houghed his chariot horses except 100 which he reserved. In his second conflict Zoba was called in as ally by Ammon, and Joab defeated both. Then Hadadezer made a last effort, and drew forth the Syrians from beyond the river Euphrates. David fought in person at Helam, and slew 7,000 fighters in chariots, 40,000 footmen, and Shophach captain of the host (