A king's true power is measured not just by his control over his immediate subjects, but by his reach into the most distant and hostile territories. The expansion of royal authority brings even the furthest forces into absolute submission [ביאור שטיינזלץ].
The primary approach among commentators is that these distant submitting forces are desert dwellers living in desolate wastelands. Their surrender highlights a powerful reality: if isolated groups at the very edges of civilization yield to the king, the rest of the nations will undoubtedly follow suit [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם, מאירי, ביאור שטיינזלץ, אלשיך]. Another perspective suggests these subjects are seafarers and naval fleets arriving from afar, an idea reinforced by surrounding descriptions of sea-related regions like Tarshish and distant islands [אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A third view identifies these forces not by geography, but as powerful political factions, high-ranking ministers, or massive military legions [רש״י, מאירי].
As these adversaries yield, their surrender is painted with vivid imagery of them licking the dust of the earth [מצודת ציון]. Rather than a literal consumption of dirt, this illustrates a profound physical bowing, where enemies bend so low that their faces press against the ground [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Beyond the physical posture, this serves as a metaphor for utter degradation, lowliness, and defeat. Those who wish to oppose the king will be overwhelmed by fear and awe, leaving them completely humiliated and powerless to act against him [רד״ק, מאירי, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
A unique historical perspective connects this deep humiliation to a specific measure-for-measure punishment. According to this view, the subdued enemies are the descendants of desert dwellers who once acted with extreme cruelty toward thousands of young priests seeking refuge. These ancestors intentionally fed the fleeing priests salty food and handed them empty, air-filled water skins to ensure they would die of thirst. In a striking closure of this historical circle, the descendants are now forced to lick the dry desert dust instead of finding water [אלשיך].