1 Chronicles 18

David Conquers the Neighboring Nations

18:1 Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. He took Gath and its surrounding towns1 away from the Philistines.2

18:2 He defeated the Moabites; the Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute.3

18:3 David defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah as far as Hamath, when he went to extend his authority4 to the Euphrates River.5 18:4 David seized from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers,6 and 20,000 infantrymen. David cut the hamstrings of all but a hundred of Hadadezer’s7 chariot horses.8 18:5 The Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, but David killed 22,000 of the Arameans. 18:6 David placed garrisons in the territory of the Arameans of Damascus;9 the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord protected10 David wherever he campaigned.11 18:7 David took the golden shields which Hadadezer’s servants had carried12 and brought them to Jerusalem.13 18:8 From Tibhath14 and Kun,15 Hadadezer’s cities, David took a great deal of bronze. (Solomon used it to make the big bronze basin called “The Sea,”16 the pillars, and other bronze items.

18:9 When King Tou17 of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of King Hadadezer of Zobah, 18:10 he sent his son Hadoram18 to King David to extend his best wishes19 and to pronounce a blessing on him for his victory over Hadadezer, for Tou had been at war with Hadadezer.20 He also sent various items made of gold, silver, and bronze.21 18:11 King David dedicated these things to the Lord,22 along with the silver and gold which he had carried off from all the nations, including23 Edom,24 Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.

18:12 Abishai son of Zeruiah25 killed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 18:13 He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. The Lord protected26 David wherever he campaigned.27

David’s Officials

18:14 David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people.28 18:15 Joab son of Zeruiah was commanding general of29 the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was secretary; 18:16 Zadok son of Ahitub and Abimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha30 was scribe; 18:17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada supervised31 the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were the king’s leading officials.32

Next Chapter