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David Subjugates Nearby Nations

¹ Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. David took Metheg Ammah from the Philistines. 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. The Moabites became David's subjects and brought tribute. ³ David defeated King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah when he came to reestablish his authority over the Euphrates River. ⁴ David seized from him 1,700 charioteers and 20,000 infantrymen. David cut the hamstrings of all but a hundred of the chariot horses. ⁵ The Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, but David killed 22,000 of the Arameans. ⁶ David placed garrisons in the territory of the Arameans of Damascus; the Arameans became David's subjects and brought tribute. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned. ⁷ David took the golden shields that belonged to Hadadezer's servants and brought them to Jerusalem. ⁸ From Tebah and Berothai, Hadadezer's cities, King David took a great deal of bronze.

⁹ When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, ¹⁰ he sent his son Joram to King David to extend his best wishes and to pronounce a blessing on him for his victory over Hadadezer, for Toi had been at war with Hadadezer. He brought with him various items made of silver, gold, and bronze. ¹¹ King David dedicated these things to the Lord, along with the dedicated silver and gold that he had taken from all the nations that he had subdued, ¹² including Aram, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek. This also included some of the plunder taken from King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah.

¹³ David became famous when he returned from defeating the Arameans in the Valley of Salt, he defeated 18,000 in all. ¹⁴ He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became David's subjects. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned. ¹⁵ David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people.

David's Cabinet

¹⁶ Joab son of Zeruiah was general in command of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was secretary; ¹⁷ Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was scribe; ¹⁸ Benaiah son of Jehoida supervised the Kerithites and Pelethites; and David's sons were priests.