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

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

18:3 David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath, when he went to extend his dominion to the Euphrates River.³ 18:4 David seized from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers,⁴ and 20,000 infantrymen. David cut the hamstrings of all his but 100 of his chariot horses.⁵ 18:5 The Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, but David killed 22,000 of the Arameans. 18:6 David placed garrisons in the territory of the Arameans of Damascus;⁶ the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The LORD protected⁷ David wherever he campaigned.⁸ 18:7 David took the golden shields which Hadadezer’s servants had carried⁹ and brought them to Jerusalem. 18:8 From Tibchath and Kun, Hadadezer’s cities, David took a great deal of bronze. (Solomon used it to make the big bronze basin called “The Sea,”¹⁰ the pillars and other bronze items.

18:9 When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 18:10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David to extend his best wishes¹¹ and to pronounce a blessing on him for his victory over Hadadezer, for Tou had been at war with Hadadezer.¹² He also sent various items made of gold, silver and bronze.¹³ 18:11 King David dedicated these things to the LORD,¹⁴ along with the silver and gold which he had carried off from all the nations, including¹⁵ Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalek.

18:12 Abishai son of Zeruiah 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 protected David wherever he campaigned.¹⁶

18:14 David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people.¹⁷ 18:15 Joab son of Zeruiah was general of¹⁸ the army; Jehoshaphat son of Achilud was secretary; 18:16 Zadok son of Achitub and Abimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was scribe; 18:17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada supervised¹⁹ the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were the king’s leading officials.²⁰