Chronological
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.
Covenant Loyalty to Mephibosheth
9 Then David inquired, “Is there anyone still left from the house of Saul, so that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Now there was a servant from Saul’s house whose name was Ziba, so they summoned him to David. The king asked him, “Are you Ziba?”
“Your servant,” he said.
3 The king asked him, “Is there still anyone from the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?”
“There is still a son of Jonathan,” Ziba said to the king, “with crippled legs.”
4 “Where is he?” the king said to him.
Ziba said to the king, “He’s there, in the house of Machir son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.” 5 So King David sent word and brought him from the house of Machir son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.
6 Then Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan son of Saul, came to David, fell on his face and prostrated himself. “Mephibosheth!” David said.
“Behold your servant!” he answered.
“Don’t be afraid,” 7 David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat bread at my table.”
8 Then he bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should turn to look at such a dead dog like me?”
9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his household I have given to your master’s son. 10 So you, you and your sons and your servants will till the land for him, and you will bring in the yield so that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son will always eat bread at my table.” Now Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” Thus Mephibosheth used to eat at the table just like one of the king’s sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All the members of Ziba’s household were servants to Mephibosheth. 13 But Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly, though he was crippled in both his legs.
King David’s Rule Expands
18 In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. He took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines. 2 He also defeated Moab, and the Moabites became vassals to David and brought tribute.
3 Moreover, David defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah at Hamath, when he went to establish his dominion to the Euphrates River. 4 David captured from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen and 20,000 infantrymen. David hamstrung all the chariot horses but reserved 100 of them for chariots.
5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 of the Arameans. 6 David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus and the Arameans became subject to David and brought tribute. Adonai gave David victory wherever he went. 7 David took the gold shields that were on Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Tibhath and from Kun, Hadadezer’s cities, David took a very large quantity of bronze, which Solomon used to make the bronze sea, pillars and bronze vessels.
9 When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of King Hadadezer of Zobah, 10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet and bless him because he fought against Hadarezer and defeated him—for Hadadezer had many wars with Tou. He also sent all kinds of articles of gold, silver and bronze.
11 King David dedicated these articles to Adonai, along with the silver and gold that he had taken from all the nations: from Edom and Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines and Amalek.
12 Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13 Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became vassals to David. So Adonai gave David victory wherever he went.
14 David reigned over all Israel and he administered justice and righteousness to all his people. 15 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was secretary. 16 Zadok son of Ahitub and Abimelech son of Abiathar were kohanim, and Shavsha was scribe. 17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites, and David’s sons were chief officials in the service of the king.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.