2 Samuel 8

¹ After this, David struck the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines.

² He struck Moab and measured them off with a cord, making them lie down on the ground. He measured two cord-lengths to be put to death and one full cord-length to be kept alive. So the Moabites became David's subjects and brought tribute.

³ David struck Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his control at the River.

⁴ David captured from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses but kept enough for a hundred chariots.

⁵ When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand Arameans.

⁶ David placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David's subjects and brought tribute. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.

⁷ David took the gold shields that belonged to Hadadezer's servants and brought them to Jerusalem.

⁸ From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a very large amount of bronze.

⁹ When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,

¹⁰ Toi sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and to bless him, because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him — for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver, gold, and bronze.

¹¹ King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued —

¹² from Aram, from Moab, from the Ammonites, from the Philistines, from Amalek, and from the plunder of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

¹³ David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

¹⁴ He placed garrisons throughout Edom — in all of Edom he placed garrisons — and all the Edomites became David's subjects. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.

¹⁵ David reigned over all Israel, and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people.

¹⁶ Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder.

¹⁷ Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests. Seraiah was secretary.

¹⁸ Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites. And David's sons were priests.