- After this, David defeated and subdued the Philistines by conquering Gath and its surrounding towns.
- David also conquered the land of Moab, and the Moabites who were spared became David's subjects and paid him tribute money.
- David also destroyed the forces of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, as far as Hamath,[1] when Hadadezer marched out to strengthen his control along the Euphrates River.
- David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers, and 20,000 foot soldiers. He crippled all the chariot horses except enough for 100 chariots.
- When Arameans from Damascus arrived to help King Hadadezer, David killed 22,000 of them.
- Then he placed several army garrisons[2] in Damascus, the Aramean capital, and the Arameans became David's subjects and paid him tribute money. So the Lord made David victorious wherever he went.
- David brought the gold shields of Hadadezer's officers to Jerusalem,
- along with a large amount of bronze from Hadadezer's towns of Tebah[3] and Cun. Later Solomon melted the bronze and molded it into the great bronze basin called the Sea, the pillars, and the various bronze articles used at the Temple.
- When King Toi[4] of Hamath heard that David had destroyed the entire army of King Hadadezer of Zobah,
- he sent his son Joram[5] to congratulate King David for his successful campaign. Hadadezer and Toi had been enemies and were often at war. Joram presented David with many gifts of gold, silver, and bronze.
- King David dedicated all these gifts to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had taken from the other nations—from Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek.
- Abishai son of Zeruiah destroyed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
- He placed army garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David's subjects. In fact, the Lord made David victorious wherever he went.
- So David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people.
- Joab son of Zeruiah was commander of the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal historian.
- Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech[6] son of Abiathar were the priests. Seraiah[7] was the court secretary.
- Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king's bodyguard.[8] And David's sons served as the king's chief assistants.
David's Military Victories
- The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
- As in Greek version and Latin Vulgate (see also 2 Sam 8:6); Hebrew lacks 'several army garrisons.'
- Hebrew reads 'Tibhath,' a variant spelling of Tebah; compare parallel text at 2 Sam 8:8.
- As in parallel text at 2 Sam 8:9; Hebrew reads 'Tou;' also in 18:10.
- As in parallel text at 2 Sam 8:10; Hebrew reads 'Hadoram,' a variant spelling of Joram.
- As in some Hebrew manuscripts, Syriac version, and Latin Vulgate (see also 2 Sam 8:17); most Hebrew manuscripts read 'Abimelech.'
- As in parallel text at 2 Sam 8:17; Hebrew reads 'Shavsha.'
- Hebrew 'of the Kerethites and Pelethites.'