2 Samuel 8

Tree of Life Version

David’s Kingdom Expands

8 Now afterward David attacked the Philistines and subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah^[a] from the hand of the Philistines. ² He also defeated Moab. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them with a cord. Every two measures of them were put to death, and the third measure was kept alive. So the Moabites became vassals to David, bringing tribute.

³ David also defeated King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah, as he went to restore his dominion along the River^[b]. ⁴ David captured from him 1700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers, and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, while reserving 100 of them for chariots. ⁵ When the Arameans of Damascus came to the aid of King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 Aramean men. ⁶ Then David stationed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became vassals to David, bringing tribute. So Adonai gave victory to David wherever he went ⁷ David also took the golden shields of Hadadezer’s officers and brought them to Jerusalem. ⁸ From Betah and Berothai, towns of Hadadezer, King David took a vast amount of bronze.

⁹ Now when King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, ¹⁰ Toi sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer—for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver, gold and bronze. ¹¹ These too King David consecrated to Adonai, along with the silver and gold that he had consecrated from all the nations that he had subdued: ¹² from Aram, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

¹³ Then David made a name for himself when he returned from striking 18,000 down from Edom in the Valley of Salt. ¹⁴ Then he stationed garrisons in Edom. Throughout all Edom he stationed garrisons, so that all the Edomites became vassals to David. So Adonai gave victory to David wherever he went.

¹⁵ David reigned over all Israel, and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people. ¹⁶ Joab son of Zeruiah was commander over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; ¹⁷ Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were kohanim; Seraiah was scribe; ¹⁸ Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were chief ministers.