Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
2 Samuel 8
David Defeats the Philistines and Moabites
After this David struck the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-Ammah from the hand of the Philistines. He struck Moab and measured them with a cord, making them lie down on the ground. He measured two cords to put to death and one full cord to keep alive. So the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.
David Defeats Hadadezer
David struck Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to restore his power at the Euphrates River. David captured from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for one hundred chariots. When Aram of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck twenty-two thousand men of Aram. David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to David and brought tribute. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went. David took the gold shields that were on the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. From Betah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took very much bronze.
Toi Sends Gifts to David
When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer, Toi sent Joram his son to King David to ask about his well-being and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him, for Hadadezer had been a man of wars against Toi. In his hand were vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze. King David also consecrated these to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had consecrated from all the nations he had subdued: from Aram, Moab, the children of Ammon, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
David Makes a Name
David made a name when he returned from striking eighteen thousand Arameans in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons in Edom. Throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.
David Administers Justice
David reigned over all Israel, and David was doing justice and righteousness for all his people. Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was scribe; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were priests.