The superscript of Ps 60 read this:
For the choir director: according to “The Lily of Testimony.” A Davidic Miktam for teaching. When he fought with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck Edom in the Valley of Salt, killing 12,000.
The first question in looking at a psalm is if it provides a context, what is that context? Here is seems pretty specific. When Joan fought in the Valley of Salt. If we then look at that, we find something similar in 2 Sam 8:13:
13 David made a reputation for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
Or was it this battle described in 1 Chr 18:12 (also ch 19)
12 Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
And if it is either one of these, why is it different in Psalm 60 that says 12,000 and then these battles say 18,000? Are these the same battles or are they different battles?
David has been engaged in multiple battles in which there have been many fatalities. Earlier in 2 Sam 8 we see that one of the battles against the Arameans (Syrians) who came to help Zobak took place and 22,000 were struck down. Then a few verses later in the Valley of Salt we see the 18,000 struck down.
It’s very possible that there was another battle that took down 12,000 that was not recorded. Oftentimes there were multiple battles in the same location but at different times. And this would fit that Joab led out in one battle (Ps 60 superscript) and Abishai in another battle (1 Chr 18:12).
Others though have thought that the battles were the same but the 12,000 referred to the number of Israelites that were struck down. Considered the tone and context of the psalm, it’s very possible. The context would then be that 18,000 Edomites were indeed struck down by Joab, but 12,000 of the Israelites also perished, an unusually heavy loss compared to when God was fighting for them. In fact, this makes the psalm much more understandable.
