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David's Triumphs

^1 (C1)Now it came about after this that David defeated the Philistines and subdued (humbled) them, and he took control of Metheg-ammah the main city from the hand of the Philistines.

^2 (C1)He defeated ^(F1)(C2)Moab, and ^(F2)measured them with a length of rope, making them lie down on the ground; he measured two lengths to choose those to put to death, and one full length to choose those to be kept alive. And ^(C3)the surviving Moabites became servants to David, ^(C4)bringing tribute.

³ Then David defeated ^(C1)Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of ^(F1)Zobah, as ^(C2)he went to restore his power at the River Euphrates.⁴ David captured from him 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers. David also ^(C1)hamstrung all the chariot horses (making them lame), but reserved enough of them for a hundred chariots.⁵ When ^(C1)the Arameans (Syrians) of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 Arameans.⁶ Then David put garrisons among the Arameans in Damascus, and ^(C1)the Arameans became his servants and brought tribute. ^(C2)The LORD helped David wherever he went.⁷ David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.⁸ And from Betah and ^(C1)Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took an immense quantity of bronze.

⁹ When Toi king of ^(C1)Hamath heard about David's defeat of all the forces of Hadadezer,¹⁰ Toi sent ^(F1)Joram his son to King David to ^(F2)greet and congratulate him for his battle and defeat of Hadadezer; for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver, gold, and bronze as gifts.¹¹ King David also ^(C1)dedicated these gifts to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he subdued:¹² from Aram (Syria), ^(C1)Moab, ^(C2)the Ammonites, ^(C3)the Philistines, and ^(C4)Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

^13 (C1)So David made a name for himself when he returned from killing 18,000 ^(F1)Arameans (Syrians) in ^(C2)the Valley of Salt.¹⁴ He put garrisons in Edom; in all Edom he put garrisons, and ^(C1)all the Edomites became servants to David. And ^(C2)the LORD helped him wherever he went.

¹⁵ So David reigned over all Israel, and continued to administer justice and righteousness for all his people.^16 (C1)Joab the son of Zeruiah was commander over the army; ^(C2)Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was ^(C3)recorder (secretary);^17 (C1)Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the chief ^(C2)priests, and Seraiah was the ^(C3)scribe;^18 (C1)Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was head over both the ^(C2)Cherethites and Pelethites the king's bodyguards; and David's sons were ^(F1)(C3)chief confidential advisers (officials) to the king. ^(VR1)