David’s Kingdom Strengthened

1After this it came about that David defeated and subdued the Philistines, and he took Gath and its villages out of the hand of the Philistines. 2He defeated Moab, and the Moabites became David’s servants and brought tribute (gifts).

3David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath, as he went to establish his [a]dominion to the Euphrates River. 4David took from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers (infantrymen). David also [b]hamstrung [nearly] all the chariot horses [to make them lame and useless], but left enough of them for 100 chariots.

5When the Arameans (Syrians) of [c]Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed 22,000 of the Arameans. 6Then David put military outposts among the Arameans in Damascus; and the Arameans became David’s servants and brought tribute. Thus the LORD helped David wherever he went. 7David took the shields of gold which were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8Likewise from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David brought a very large amount of bronze, with which Solomon later made the bronze Sea (large basin), the pillars, and the utensils of bronze.

9When Tou king of Hamath heard how David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10he sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and to bless (congratulate) him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and had defeated him; for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou. And Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze. 11King David also dedicated these to the LORD [setting them apart for sacred use], with the silver and the gold which he brought from all the nations: from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and from Amalek.

12Also Abishai the son of Zeruiah [David’s half sister] defeated 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13He put military outposts in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. Thus the LORD helped David wherever he went.

14So David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people. 15Joab the son of Zeruiah was in command of the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; 16Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests, and Shavsha was secretary (state scribe); 17and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in charge of the [d]Cherethites and the Pelethites [David’s bodyguards], and the sons of David were chiefs at the king’s side.