8:1 Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. David took Metheg Ammah 1 from the Philistines. 2 8:2 He defeated the Moabites. He made them lie on the ground and then used a rope to measure them off. He put two-thirds of them to death and spared the other third. 3 The Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute. 4 8:3 David defeated King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah when he came to reestablish 5 his authority 6 over the Euphrates 7 River. 8:4 David seized from him 1,700 charioteers 8 and 20,000 infantrymen. David cut the hamstrings of all but a hundred of the chariot horses. 9 8:5 The Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, but David killed 22,000 of the Arameans. 8:6 David placed garrisons in the territory of the Arameans of Damascus; the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord protected 10 David wherever he campaigned. 11 8:7 David took the golden shields that belonged to Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Jerusalem. 12 8:8 From Tebah 13 and Berothai, Hadadezer’s cities, King David took a great deal of bronze.
8:9 When King Toi 14 of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, 8:10 he 15 sent his son Joram 16 to King David to extend his best wishes 17 and to pronounce a blessing on him for his victory over Hadadezer, for Toi had been at war with Hadadezer. 18 He brought with him various items made of silver, gold, and bronze. 19 8:11 King David dedicated these things to the Lord, 20 along with the dedicated silver and gold that he had taken from 21 all the nations that he had subdued, 8:12 including 22 Aram, 23 Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amelek. This also included some of the plunder taken from 24 King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah.
8:13 David became famous 25 when he returned from defeating the Arameans 26 in the Valley of Salt, he defeated 27 18,000 in all. 8:14 He placed garrisons throughout Edom, 28 and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned. 8:15 David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people. 29
8:16 Joab son of Zeruiah was general in command of 30 the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was secretary; 8:17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar 31 were priests; Seraiah was scribe; 8:18 Benaiah son of Jehoida supervised 32 the Kerithites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests. 33