3 David also defeated lHadadezer the son of Rehob, king of mZobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates. 4 nAnd David took from him 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David ohamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for 100 chariots. 5 pAnd when the qSyrians of Damascus came to help lHadadezer king of mZobah, David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. 6 Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Syrians rbecame servants to David and brought tribute. sAnd the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. 7 And David took tthe shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took very much bronze.

9 When Toi king of uHamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent his son Joram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. And Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold, and of bronze. 11 vThese also King David dedicated to the Lord, together with the silver and gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued, 12 from Edom, wMoab, xthe Ammonites, ythe Philistines, zAmalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of mZobah.

13 And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in athe Valley of Salt. 14 Then he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, band all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.

David’s Officials

15 So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people. 16 cJoab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and dJehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, 17 and eZadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and fSeraiah was secretary, 18 and gBenaiah the son of Jehoiada was over1 the hCherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were priests.