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
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
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
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