David Subjugates Nearby Nations

8:1 Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. David took Metheg Ammah1 from the Philistines.2 8:2 He defeated the Moabites. He made them lie on the ground and then used a rope to measure them off. He put two-thirds of them to death and spared the other third.3 The Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute.4 8:3 David defeated King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah when he came to reestablish5 his authority6 over the Euphrates7 River. 8:4 David seized from him 1,700 charioteers8 and 20,000 infantrymen. David cut the hamstrings of all but a hundred of the chariot horses.9 8:5 The Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, but David killed 22,000 of the Arameans. 8:6 David placed garrisons in the territory of the Arameans of Damascus; the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord protected10 David wherever he campaigned.11 8:7 David took the golden shields that belonged to Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Jerusalem.12 8:8 From Tebah13 and Berothai, Hadadezer’s cities, King David took a great deal of bronze.

8:9 When King Toi14 of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, 8:10 he15 sent his son Joram16 to King David to extend his best wishes17 and to pronounce a blessing on him for his victory over Hadadezer, for Toi had been at war with Hadadezer.18 He brought with him various items made of silver, gold, and bronze.19 8:11 King David dedicated these things to the Lord,20 along with the dedicated silver and gold that he had taken from21 all the nations that he had subdued, 8:12 including22 Aram,23 Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amelek. This also included some of the plunder taken from24 King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah.

8:13 David became famous25 when he returned from defeating the Arameans26 in the Valley of Salt, he defeated27 18,000 in all. 8:14 He placed garrisons throughout Edom,28 and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned. 8:15 David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people.29