1 Chronicles 18 | New International Reader’s Version

New International Reader’s Version

David wins many battles

1 While David was king of Israel, he won many battles over the Philistines. He brought them under his control. He took Gath away from the Philistines. He also captured the villages around Gath. 2 David also won the battle over the people of Moab. They were brought under his rule. They gave him the gifts he required them to bring him. 3 David fought against Hadadezer in the area of Hamath. Hadadezer was king of Zobah. He had gone to set up his monument at the River Euphrates. 4 David captured 1,000 of Hadadezer’s chariots, 7,000 chariot riders and 20,000 soldiers on foot. He cut the legs of all but 100 of the chariot horses. 5 The Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, the king of Zobah. But David struck down 22,000 of them. 6 David stationed some soldiers in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus. The people of Aram were brought under his rule. They gave him the gifts he required them to bring him. The LORD helped David win his battles wherever he went. 7 David took the gold shields carried by the officers of Hadadezer. He brought the shields to Jerusalem. 8 He took a huge amount of bronze from Tebah and Kun. Those towns belonged to Hadadezer. Later, Solomon used the bronze to make the huge bronze bowl for washing. He also used it to make the pillars and many other bronze objects for the temple. 9 Tou was king of Hamath. He heard that David had won the battle over the entire army of Hadadezer, the king of Zobah. 10 So Tou sent his son Hadoram to King David. Hadoram greeted David. He praised him because David had won the battle over Hadadezer. Hadadezer had been at war with Tou. So Hadoram brought David all kinds of things made out of gold, of silver and of bronze. 11 King David set those things apart for the LORD. He had done the same thing with the silver and gold he had taken from other nations. The nations were Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia and Amalek. 12 Abishai struck down 18,000 men of Edom in the Valley of Salt. Abishai was the son of Zeruiah. 13 Abishai stationed some soldiers in Edom. The whole nation of Edom was brought under his rule. The LORD helped David win his battles wherever he went.

David’s officials

14 David ruled over the whole nation of Israel. He did what was fair and right for all his people. 15 Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was commander over the army. Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, kept the records. 16 Zadok, the son of Ahitub, was a priest. Ahimelek, the son of Abiathar, was also a priest. Shavsha was the secretary. 17 Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was commander over the Kerethites and Pelethites. And King David’s sons were the chief officials who served at his side.

English Standard Version

David Defeats His Enemies

1 After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its villages out of the hand of the Philistines. (2Sa 8:1) 2 And he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute. 3 David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah-Hamath, as he went to set up his monument^[1] at the river Euphrates. (2Sa 8:3; 1Ki 8:65) 4 And David took from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but left enough for 100 chariots. (2Sa 8:4) 5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. (1Ch 19:6) 6 Then David put garrisons^[2] in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the Lord gave victory to David^[3] wherever he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 And from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a large amount of bronze. With it Solomon made the bronze sea and the pillars and the vessels of bronze. (2Sa 8:8; 1Ki 7:15; 1Ki 7:23; 2Ch 4:12; 2Ch 4:15)

2Sa 8:81Ki 7:151Ki 7:232Ch 4:122Ch 4:15

9 When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, (2Sa 8:9; 1Ch 18:5) 10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him; for Hadadezer had often been at war with Tou. And he sent all sorts of articles of gold, of silver, and of bronze. (2Sa 8:10; 1Ch 18:3) 11 These also King David dedicated to the Lord, together with the silver and gold that he had carried off from all the nations, from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek. (2Sa 8:12) 12 And Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, killed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. (1Sa 26:6; 2Sa 8:13) 13 Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.

David’s Administration

14 So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people. 15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; (1Ch 11:6) 16 and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests; and Shavsha was secretary; (2Sa 8:17; 2Sa 20:25; 1Ki 4:3; 1Ch 24:3; 1Ch 24:6)

2Sa 8:172Sa 20:251Ki 4:31Ch 24:31Ch 24:6

17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were the chief officials in the service of the king. (2Sa 8:18)