2 Samuel 8

David’s Triumphs

1Now after this it came about that David [a]defeated the Philistines and subdued them; and David took [b]control of the chief city from the hand of the Philistines.

He [c]defeated 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.

Then David [d]defeated Hadadezer, the son of Rehob king of Zobah, as he went to restore his [e]rule at the [f]River. David captured from him 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers; and David hamstrung the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for 100 chariots. When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David [g]killed 22,000 Arameans. Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And the Lord helped David wherever he went. David took the shields of gold which were [h]carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. From [i]Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a very large amount of bronze.

Now when Toi king of Hamath heard that David had [j]defeated all the army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent [k]Joram his son to King David to [l]greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and [m]defeated him; for Hadadezer [n]had been at war with Toi. And [o]Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze. 11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued: 12 from [p]Aram and Moab and the sons of Ammon and the Philistines and Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 So David made a name for himself when he returned from [q]killing 18,000 [r]Arameans in the Valley of Salt. 14 He put garrisons in Edom. In all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord helped David wherever he went.

15 So David reigned over all Israel; and David [s]administered justice and righteousness for all his people. 16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder. 17 Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary. 18 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [t]was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were [u]chief ministers.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 8:1 Lit smote
  2. 2 Samuel 8:1 Lit the bridle of the mother city
  3. 2 Samuel 8:2 Lit smote
  4. 2 Samuel 8:3 Lit smote
  5. 2 Samuel 8:3 Lit hand
  6. 2 Samuel 8:3 I.e. Euphrates
  7. 2 Samuel 8:5 Lit smote
  8. 2 Samuel 8:7 Lit on
  9. 2 Samuel 8:8 In 1 Chr 18:8, Tibhath
  10. 2 Samuel 8:9 Lit smitten
  11. 2 Samuel 8:10 In 1 Chr 18:10, Hadoram
  12. 2 Samuel 8:10 Lit ask him of his welfare
  13. 2 Samuel 8:10 Lit smitten
  14. 2 Samuel 8:10 Lit was a man of wars
  15. 2 Samuel 8:10 Lit there were in his hand
  16. 2 Samuel 8:12 Some mss read Edom
  17. 2 Samuel 8:13 Lit smiting
  18. 2 Samuel 8:13 Some mss read Edom
  19. 2 Samuel 8:15 Lit was doing
  20. 2 Samuel 8:18 Lit and the Cherethites
  21. 2 Samuel 8:18 Lit priests