1 Chronicles 18

David’s Military Campaigns

18After this, ^vDavid defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from Philistine control. ²He also defeated the Moabites, and they became David’s subjects and brought tribute.

³David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah at Hamath when he went to establish his control at the Euphrates River. ⁴David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers from him, hamstrung all the horses, and kept 100 chariots. ^w

⁵When the Arameans of Damascus came to assist King Hadadezer of Zobah, ^xDavid struck down 22,000 Aramean men. ⁶Then he placed garrisons ^yzin Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.

⁷David took the gold shields carried by Hadadezer’s officers and brought them to Jerusalem. ⁸From Tibhath and Cun, Hadadezer’s cities, David also took huge quantities of bronze, from which Solomon made the bronze reservoir, the pillars, and the bronze articles. ^a

⁹When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of King Hadadezer of Zobah, ¹⁰he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Tou and Hadadezer had fought many wars. Hadoram brought all kinds of gold, silver, and bronze items. ¹¹King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all the nations—from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and the Amalekites.

¹²Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. ¹³He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.

¹⁴So David reigned over all Israel, ^badministering justice and righteousness for all his people.

¹⁵Joab ^cson of Zeruiah was over the army;

Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was court historian;

¹⁶Zadok son of Ahitub

and Ahimelech ^deson of Abiathar were priests;

Shavsha was court secretary;

¹⁷Benaiah son of Jehoiada ^fwas over

the Cherethites and the Pelethites;

and David’s sons were the chief officials at the king’s side.