Aram-zobah

Aram-zobah was an Aramean kingdom located between the Euphrates River and the Orontes, in the region north and east of Damascus. It appears in the superscription of Psalm 60 in connection with David's wars against the Aramean states: “When he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah.” Zobah was a significant military power during the early monarchy, and its king Hadadezer clashed repeatedly with both Saul and David.

David defeated Hadadezer of Zobah and subjugated his kingdom, garrisoning the territory and receiving tribute (2 Sam. 8:3–8; 1 Chr. 18:3–8). The Arameans of Zobah allied with the Ammonites against David (2 Sam. 10:6–19), but were defeated again, effectively eliminating Zobah as a major independent power. The region subsequently came under the influence of Damascus, which emerged as the dominant Aramean state from the time of Solomon onward. Psalm 60 is generally understood as a liturgical response to the crises of these northern campaigns.