David’s Victories

8 After this, David defeated the Philistines, b subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah c from Philistine control. d e 2 He also defeated the Moabites, and after making them lie down on the ground, he measured them off with a cord. He measured every two cord lengths of those to be put to death and one length of those to be kept alive. So the Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute. f

3 David also defeated Hadadezer g son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who went to restore his control at the Euphrates River. 4 David captured 1,700 horsemen h and 20,000 foot soldiers from him, and he hamstrung all the horses i and kept 100 chariots. j

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

7 David took the gold shields of Hadadezer’s officers and brought them to Jerusalem. m 8 King David also took huge quantities of bronze from Betah n and Berothai, Hadadezer’s cities.

9 When King Toi of Hamath o heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, 10 he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Toi and Hadadezer had fought many wars. Joram had items of silver, gold, and bronze with him. 11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued p— 12 from Edom, q Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Amalekites, and the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 David made a reputation r for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites s in the Valley of Salt. t u 14 He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. v The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.1 w

15 So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people. x

16 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army;

Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was court historian;

17 Zadok son of Ahitub

and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests;

Seraiah was court secretary;

18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over

the Cherethites and the Pelethites; y

and David’s sons were chief officials. z