2 Samuel 8

David’s Triumphs// 1 Chronicles 18:1–13; Psalm 60:1–12

¹Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines.

²David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

³David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River. ⁴David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

• 2SA 8:4[TEXT]HOW MANY? The standard Hebrew text of Samuel says 1,700 horsemen. This Bible follows a Dead Sea Scroll, the Greek and 1 Chronicles 18:4: a thousand chariots and seven thousand charioteers. See the Big Question pages Samuel and Chronicles.

⁵When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their men. ⁶Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So Yahweh made David victorious wherever he went.

⁷And David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. ⁸And from Betah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a large amount of bronze.

⁹When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, ¹⁰he sent his son Joram to greet King David and bless him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer, who had been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver and gold and bronze, ¹¹and King David dedicated these to Yahweh, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued— ¹²from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

¹³And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. ¹⁴He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So Yahweh made David victorious wherever he went.

• 2SA 8:13[NOTE]EDOMITES. Most Hebrew copies say Arameans here. A few Hebrew copies, the Greek and 1 Chronicles 18:12 say Edomites, and this Bible follows them. In Hebrew the two words differ by one letter.
• 2SA 8:14[FULFILLS]Two nations from Rebekah's womb ← GEN 25:23
• 2SA 8:14[FULFILLS]Edom would become Israel's possession ← NUM 24:18

David’s Officers// 1 Chronicles 18:14–17

¹⁵Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:

¹⁶Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army;

Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

¹⁷Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests;

Seraiah was the scribe;

¹⁸Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;

and David’s sons were priestly leaders.

• 2SA 8:18[NOTE]PRIESTLY LEADERS. The Hebrew word is kohanim, priests. 1 Chronicles 18:17 says David's sons were chief officials beside the king. Some think they were royal advisers. Others think they really served as priests in some way. The text does not say.