1 Chronicles 18

David’s Kingdom Strengthened

1Now after this 1it came about that David 2defeated the Philistines and subdued them and took Gath and its towns from the hand of the Philistines. 2He defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute.

3David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath, as he went to establish his 3rule to the Euphrates River. 4David took from him 1,000 chariots and 7,000 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers, and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for 100 chariots.

5When the Arameans of 4Damascus came to help Hadadezer king 5of Zobah, David 6killed 22,000 men of the Arameans. 6Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of 7Damascus; and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And the Lord helped David wherever he went. 7David took the shields of gold which were 8carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8Also from 9Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a very large amount of bronze, with which 10Solomon made the bronze sea and the pillars and the bronze utensils.

9Now when 11Tou king of Hamath heard that David had 12defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10he sent 13Hadoram his son to King David to 14greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and had 15defeated him; for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou. And Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze. 11King David also dedicated these to the Lord with the silver and the gold which he had carried away from all the nations: from Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, and from Amalek.

12Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah 16defeated 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord helped David wherever he went.

14So David reigned over all Israel; and he 17administered justice and righteousness for all his people. 1518Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 16and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Shavsha was secretary; 17and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and the sons of David were chiefs at the king’s side.