2 Samuel 8 — NETB

8Verse 1Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. David took Metheg Ammah from the Philistines.^{Verse 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. The Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute.^{Verse 3}David defeated King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah when he came to reestablish his authority over the Euphrates River.^{Verse 4}David seized from him 1,700 charioteers and 20,000 infantrymen. David cut the hamstrings of all but a hundred of the chariot horses.^{Verse 5}The Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, but David killed 22,000 of the Arameans.^{Verse 6}David placed garrisons in the territory of the Arameans of Damascus; the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned.^{Verse 7}David took the golden shields that belonged to Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Jerusalem.^{Verse 8}From Tebah and Berothai, Hadadezer’s cities, King David took a great deal of bronze.^{Verse 9}When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,^{Verse 10}he sent his son Joram to King David to extend his best wishes and to pronounce a blessing on him for his victory over Hadadezer, for Toi had been at war with Hadadezer. He brought with him various items made of silver, gold, and bronze.^{Verse 11}King David dedicated these things to the Lord, along with the dedicated silver and gold that he had taken from all the nations that he had subdued,^{Verse 12}including Aram, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amelek. This also included some of the plunder taken from King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah.^{Verse 13}David became famous when he returned from defeating the Arameans in the Valley of Salt, he defeated 18,000 in all.^{Verse 14}He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned.^{Verse 15}David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people.

David’s Cabinet

^{Verse 16}Joab son of Zeruiah was general in command of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was secretary;^{Verse 17}Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was scribe;^{Verse 18}Benaiah son of Jehoida supervised the Kerithites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.