2 Samuel 8

David’s Triumphs

(1 Chronicles 18:1–13; Psalms 60:1–12)

¹ Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah ¹ from the hand of the Philistines.

² David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

³ David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River.²

⁴ David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers,³ and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

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

⁶ Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

⁷ And David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.

⁸ And from Betah ⁴ and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a large amount of bronze.

⁹ When King Toi ⁵ of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,

¹⁰ he sent his son Joram ⁶ to greet King David and bless him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer, who had been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver and gold and bronze,

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

¹² from Edom ⁷ and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

¹³ And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites ⁸ in the Valley of Salt.

¹⁴ He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

David’s Officers

(1 Chronicles 18:14–17)

¹⁵ Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:

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

¹⁷ Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah ⁹ was the scribe;

¹⁸ Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.¹⁰