David defeats the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans and Edomites and dedicates the plunder to the LORD. The chapter lists his administration, and says he reigned over Israel with justice and righteousness.
1 Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines , and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines .
2 And he smote Moab ; and the Moabites became David's servants , and brought gifts .
3 And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath , as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates .
4 And David took from him a thousand chariots , and seven thousand horsemen , and twenty thousand footmen : David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots .
5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah , David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men .
6 Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus ; and the Syrians became David's servants , and brought gifts . Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went .
7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer , and brought them to Jerusalem .
8 Likewise from Tibhath , and from Chun , cities of Hadarezer , brought David very much brass , wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea , and the pillars , and the vessels of brass .
9 Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah ;
10 He sent Hadoram his son to king David , to enquire of his welfare , and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer , and smitten him;(for Hadarezer had war with Tou ;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass .
11 Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD , with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations ; from Edom , and from Moab , and from the children of Ammon , and from the Philistines , and from Amalek .
12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand .
13 And he put garrisons in Edom ; and all the Edomites became David's servants . Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went .
14 So David reigned over all Israel , and executed judgment and justice among all his people .
15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host ; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud , recorder .
16 And Zadok the son of Ahitub , and Abimelech the son of Abiathar , were the priests ; and Shavsha was scribe ;
17 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites ; and the sons of David were chief about the king .