David's Victories Over Neighboring Nations
Study note
David expanded Israel's borders by defeating several enemy nations. He conquered the Philistines, who had been Israel's longtime enemy. He defeated Moab to the east. He also defeated King Hadarezer of Zobah, a powerful kingdom to the north, capturing chariots, horses, and soldiers. When the Arameans from Damascus came to help Hadarezer, David defeated them too. David cut the hamstrings of most captured chariot horses, keeping only 100 chariots. He brought back a huge amount of bronze that Solomon would later use to build items for the temple.
1 Later, David attacked the Philistines and conquered them. He took control of Gath and the towns around it. Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
2 He also defeated the Moabites. They became David's subjects and had to pay him tribute. And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
3 David beat King Hadadezer of Zobah near Hamath. Hadadezer had been trying to spread his power toward the Euphrates River. And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
4 David captured 1,000 of his chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. He crippled all the chariot horses except enough for 100 chariots. And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.
5 When the Aramean forces from Damascus came to help King Hadadezer, David killed 22,000 of them. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6 David then stationed troops in Aramean territory near Damascus. The Arameans became David's subjects and paid him tribute. The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went. Then David put garrisons in Syria-damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
7 David took the gold shields that belonged to Hadadezer's officers and brought them back to Jerusalem. And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8 From Tibhath and Cun, two cities that belonged to Hadadezer, David brought back huge amounts of bronze. Solomon later used this bronze to make the great bronze basin, the pillars, and other bronze items for the temple. Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
Gifts and Treasures Dedicated to God
Study note
When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated their common enemy Hadarezer, he sent his son Hadoram with gifts of gold, silver, and bronze to congratulate David. David dedicated all these treasures to the Lord, along with the spoils from all the nations he had defeated. David's nephew Abishai also won a great victory over the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, killing 18,000 soldiers. David placed military outposts in Edom, and the Edomites became his subjects.
9 When King Tou of Hamath learned that David had completely defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;
10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David to congratulate him and celebrate his victory over Hadadezer. Tou and Hadadezer had been enemies. Hadoram brought gifts made of gold, silver, and bronze. He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to inquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
11 King David set all these items apart for the Lord. He added silver and gold from beaten nations. These were Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek. Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
12 Abishai son of Zeruiah killed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.
13 David stationed troops throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became his subjects. The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went. And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
David's Government Officials
Study note
David ruled over all Israel with justice and fairness. He appointed key officials to help him govern. Joab commanded the army. Jehoshaphat was the official recorder. Zadok and Abimelech served as priests. Shavsha was the royal secretary. Benaiah commanded the king's personal bodyguard, made up of the Cherethites and Pelethites. David's own sons held positions of leadership close to the king.
14 David ruled over all of Israel. He ensured that justice and fairness were given to every person. So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.
15 Joab son of Zeruiah was commander of the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud kept the official records. And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.
16 Zadok son of Ahitub and Abimelech son of Abiathar served as priests. Shavsha was the royal secretary. And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada led the king's bodyguard, the Cherethites and Pelethites. David's sons held the highest positions next to the king. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.