David's Military Victories
Study note
This chapter summarizes David's major military campaigns. He defeated the Philistines and took control of their main city. He conquered Moab to the east and treated the captured soldiers harshly. He also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah, a powerful kingdom in what is now Syria, capturing chariots, horses, and soldiers. When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, David defeated them too and stationed soldiers in their territory. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.
1 Later on, David went to war against the Philistines and defeated them. He seized control of their chief city. And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
2 David also conquered the Moabites. He made them lie on the ground and measured them with a rope. Two out of every three were executed, and the third was spared. After that, the Moabites served David and paid him tribute. And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
3 David also beat Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. Hadadezer was trying to take back land by the Euphrates River. David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
4 David captured 1,000 chariots, 700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers from him. He hamstrung all the chariot horses except enough for 100 chariots. And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.
5 When Aramean troops from Damascus arrived to back up King Hadadezer, David cut down 22,000 of them. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6 David then stationed soldiers in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus. The Arameans became his subjects and brought him tribute. The Lord kept giving David victory in every campaign. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
7 David took the gold shields carried by Hadadezer's officers and brought them to Jerusalem. And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8 From Hadadezer's cities of Betah and Berothai, David took away a great amount of bronze. And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
Tribute and Dedicated Treasures
Study note
When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated his enemy Hadadezer, he sent his son Joram with gifts of silver, gold, and bronze to congratulate David. David dedicated all these treasures to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had taken from every nation he conquered. David also gained fame by defeating eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and putting military outposts throughout Edom.
9 King Toi of Hamath received word that David had crushed Hadadezer's entire army. When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
10 Toi sent his son Joram to King David to congratulate him on his victory over Hadadezer, who had been Toi's enemy. Joram brought along gifts made of silver, gold, and bronze. Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
11 King David set aside all these gifts for the Lord. He also set aside the silver and gold he had taken from every nation he had beaten. Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
12 This included goods taken from Aram, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, Amalek, and from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13 David's fame increased even further after he defeated 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
14 He placed garrisons all across Edom, and the Edomites became his subjects. The Lord continued to give David victory wherever he fought. And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
David's Officials
Study note
David ruled over all Israel with justice and fairness. He organized his government with key officials: Joab commanded the army, Jehoshaphat served as official recorder, Zadok and Ahimelech were priests, Seraiah was the royal secretary, and Benaiah commanded David's personal bodyguard made up of the Cherethites and Pelethites. David's own sons served as royal advisors.
15 David ruled all of Israel. He ensured every person was treated fairly. And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
16 Joab son of Zeruiah served as the army commander. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the official record-keeper. And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar served as priests. Seraiah was the royal secretary. And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the Cherethite and Pelethite bodyguards. David's own sons served as royal advisors. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.