Chapter 8

David’s Triumphs

1 aNow after this it came about that David 1defeated the Philistines and subdued them; and David took 2control of the chief city from the hand of the Philistines.

2 aHe 1defeated bMoab, and measured them with the line, making them lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death and one full line to keep alive. And cthe Moabites became servants to David, dbringing tribute.

3 Then David 1defeated aHadadezer, the son of Rehob king of Zobah, as bhe went to restore his 2rule at the 3River.

4 David captured from him 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers; and David ahamstrung the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for 100 chariots.

5 When athe Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David 1killed 22,000 Arameans.

6 Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus, and athe Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And bthe Lord helped David wherever he went.

7 David took the shields of gold which were 1carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 From 1Betah and from aBerothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a very large amount of bronze.

9 Now when Toi king of aHamath heard that David had 1defeated all the army of Hadadezer,

10 Toi sent 1Joram his son to King David to 2greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and 3defeated him; for Hadadezer 4had been at war with Toi. And 5Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze.

11 King David also adedicated these to the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued:

12 from 1Aram and aMoab and bthe sons of Ammon and cthe Philistines and dAmalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 So aDavid made a name for himself when he returned from 1killing 18,000 2Arameans in bthe Valley of Salt.

14 He put garrisons in Edom. In all Edom he put garrisons, and aall the Edomites became servants to David. And bthe Lord helped David wherever he went.

15 So David reigned over all Israel; and David 1administered justice and righteousness for all his people.

16 aJoab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and bJehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was crecorder.

17 aZadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were bpriests, and Seraiah was csecretary.

18 aBenaiah the son of Jehoiada 1was over the bCherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were 2cchief ministers.