Schaff's Bible Dictionary
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. " 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. " 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.