David’s Victories

8:1–14pp—1Ch 18:1–13

8 In the course of time, David defeated the Philistinesv and subduedw them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines.

2 David also defeated the Moabites.x He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.y

3 Moreover, David defeated Hadadezerz son of Rehob, king of Zobah,a when he went to restore his monument ata the Euphratesb River. 4 David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteersb and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrungc all but a hundred of the chariot horses.

5 When the Arameans of Damascusd came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. 6 He put garrisonse in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subjectf to him and brought tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.g

7 David took the gold shieldsh that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Tebahc and Berothai,i towns that belonged to Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.

9 When Toud king of Hamathj heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,k 10 he sent his son Jorame to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze.

11 King David dedicatedl these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued: 12 Edomf m and Moab,n the Ammoniteso and the Philistines,p and Amalek.q He also dedicated the plunder taken from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 And David became famousr after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomitesg in the Valley of Salt.s

14 He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomitest became subject to David.u The Lord gave David victoryv wherever he went.w

David’s Officials

8:15–18pp—1Ch 18:14–17

15 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and rightx for all his people. 16 Joaby son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphatz son of Ahilud was recorder;a 17 Zadokb son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiatharc were priests; Seraiah was secretary;d 18 Benaiahe son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethitesf and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.h