2 Samuel 8
1 After this, David struck the Philistines and subdued them. David took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines.
2 He also struck Moab and measured them with a cord, making them lie on the ground. He measured two cord-lengths to put to death and one full cord-length to let live. Moab became David’s servants, paying tribute.
3 David also struck Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his control at the Euphrates River.
4 David captured from him 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but left enough for 100 chariots.
5 Aram of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, and David struck down 22,000 Arameans.
6 David stationed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David’s servants, paying tribute. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.
7 David took the gold shields belonging to Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Jerusalem.
8 From Betah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a very large quantity of bronze.
9 Toi, king of Hamath, heard that David had defeated Hadadezer’s entire army.
10 So Toi sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and congratulate him for fighting Hadadezer and defeating him, since Hadadezer had been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him objects of silver, gold, and bronze.
11 King David also dedicated these objects to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued:
12 from Aram, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek, and from the plunder of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13 David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Arameans in the Valley of Salt.
14 He stationed garrisons in Edom—he stationed garrisons throughout Edom—and all Edom became David’s servants. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.
15 David reigned over all Israel, and David administered justice and righteousness to all his people.
16 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;
17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary;
18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.
Read and listen to this chapter in the Shalem app, free: narration, chapter video and reading progress. Get the app