1    ^noteAfter this David defeated the Philistines and conquered them, and took from them Metheg-ha-ammah. 2   He defeated the Moabites, and he made them lie along the ground and measured them off with a length of cord; for every two lengths that were to be put to death one full length was spared. The Moabites became subject to him and paid him tribute. 3   David also defeated Hadadezer the Rehobite, king of Zobah, who was on his way to re-erect his monument of victory by ^note the river Euphrates. 4   From him David captured seventeen hundred horse and twenty thousand foot; he hamstrung all the chariot-horses, except a hundred which he retained. 5   When the Aramaeans of Damascus came to the help of Hadadezer king of Zobah, David destroyed twenty-two thousand of them, and established garrisons among these Aramaeans; 6    they became subject to him and paid him tribute. Thus the Lord gave David victory wherever he went. 7   David took the gold quivers borne by Hadadezer's servants and brought them to Jerusalem; 8   and he also took a great quantity of bronze ^note from Hadadezer's cities, Betah and Berothai.

9   When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, 10   he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him on defeating Hadadezer in battle (for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi); and he brought with him vessels of silver, gold, and copper, which King David dedicated to the Lord. 11   He dedicated also the silver and gold taken from all the nations he had subdued, from Edom ^note and Moab, 12   from the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek, as well as part of the spoil taken from Hadadezer the Rehobite, king of Zobah.

David king in Jerusalem

13   David made a great name for himself by the slaughter of eighteen thousand Edomites ^note in the Valley of Salt, 14   and on returning he stationed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to him. Thus the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.

15    ^noteDavid ruled over the whole of Israel and maintained law and justice among all his people. 16   Joab son of Zeruiah was in command of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was secretary of state; 17   Zadok and Abiathar son of Ahimelech, son of Ahitub, ^note were priests; Seraiah was adjutant-general; 18   Benaiah son of Jehoiada commanded ^note the Kerethite and Pelethite guards. David's sons were priests.

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