Hagrite

The political situation that Asaph describes in Psalm 83 is perfectly consistent with events in his day around 950 BC, and there's no reason to see this psalm as requiring future fulfillment.

The nations that he mentions conspiring together, such as Edom, Moab, Hagrites, Gabal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre, Assyria, and Lot, were all very close neighbors to Israel, mostly in Jordan and Lebanon.

The picture painted by Asaph is a perfect fit with what we know from scripture and history about the political situation of the time.

Bill Salus would disagree with this point, and I will deal with his arguments in the final section of this chapter.

Let the name of Israel be remembered no more, for they conspire with one accord.

Against you they make a covenant, the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre.

Asher also has joined them.

They are the strong arm of the children of Lot.

The descendants of Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah left their mark primarily through alliances.

Among these, the interaction with the Hagrites stands out, also children of Hagar, but outside Ishmael's direct line.

This subtle distinction is essential to understanding the ethnic and spiritual formation of the Transjordan region and its surroundings.

Kedemah, for instance, is said to have united with the Kenites, a people from whom, according to some traditions, Caleb, the faithful companion of Joshua, descended.

Jediah from Maranoth was in charge of the donkeys.

Jeyzes the Hagrite was in charge of the king's flocks of sheep and goats.

All these officials were overseers of King David's property.

Look at how many overseers of his property he had.

These men were experienced soldiers, but the Chronicler makes it clear that their military ability wasn't ultimately responsible for their victory.

They fought against the Hagrites and their allies, and during the battle, they turned to God.

Verse 20 says, And when they prevailed over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and He granted their urgent plea, because they trusted in Him.

Now that statement provides the spiritual center of this chapter.

They cried out to God.