2 Samuel

1After this, David struck the Philistines and subdued them; and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.

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

3David also struck Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.

4David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand footmen. David hamstrung the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for one hundred chariots.

5When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck twenty two thousand men of the Syrians.

6Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.

7David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.

9When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer,

10then Toi sent Joram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze.

11King David also dedicated these to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued—

12of Syria, of Moab, of the children of Ammon, of the Philistines, of Amalek, and of the plunder of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt.

14He put garrisons in Edom. Throughout all Edom, he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.

15David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people.

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

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

18Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.

David’s Triumphs

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

2David 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.

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

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

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

6Then 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.

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

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

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

10he sent his son Joramto 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,

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

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

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

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

David’s Officers

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

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

17Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiahwas the scribe;

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