2 Samuel 8
David Subjugates Nearby Nations
8:1 Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. David took Metheg Ammah1 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 reestablish5 his authority6 over the Euphrates7 River.
8:4 David seized from him 1,700 charioteers8 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
8:9 When King Toi14 of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,
8:10 he15 sent his son Joram16 to King David to extend his best wishes17 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
8:13 David became famous25 when he returned from defeating the Arameans26 in the Valley of Salt, he defeated27 18,000 in all.
8:14 He placed garrisons throughout Edom,28 and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. The
David’s Cabinet
8:16 Joab son of Zeruiah was general in command of30 the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was secretary; 8:17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar31 were priests; Seraiah was scribe; 8:18 Benaiah son of Jehoida supervised32 the Kerithites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.33