David Strikes Down Nations

1Now it happened afterwards, that David struck the Philistines and subdued them; and David took [†]control of the chief city from the hand of the Philistines.

2He also struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death and one full line to keep alive. And the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute.

3Then David struck Hadadezer, the son of Rehob king of Zobah, as he went to restore his [†]power at the [†]River. 4And David captured from him 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers; and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but left enough of them for 100 chariots. 5Then the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah. And David struck down 22,000 Arameans. 6Then David placed garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus; and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And Yahweh granted salvation to David wherever he went. 7And David took the small shields of gold which were [†]carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8Also from [†]Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a very large amount of bronze.

9Then Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck down all the military force of Hadadezer, 10so Toi sent [†]Joram his son to King David to [†]greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him down; for Hadadezer [†]had been at war with Toi. And in [†]Joram’s hand were articles of silver, of gold and of bronze. 11King David also set these apart as holy to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he had set apart as holy from all the nations which he had subdued: 12from [†]Aram, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13So David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 [†]Arameans in the Valley of Salt. 14Then he placed garrisons in Edom. In all Edom he placed garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And Yahweh granted salvation to David wherever he went.

15So David reigned over all Israel; and David was doing justice and righteousness for all his people. 16Now Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 17and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was scribe; 18and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [†]was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were [†]priests.