(1 Chronicles 18:1–13; Psalm 60:1–12)

¹ Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah¹ from the hand of the Philistines.

1. Metheg-ammah means bridle of the mother city.

² David 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.

³ David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River.¹

1. LXX, Syriac, and Vulgate (see also 1 Chronicles 18:3); Hebrew along the River, or an alternate reading along the Euphrates

⁴ David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers,¹ and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

1. LXX (see also DSS and 1 Chronicles 18:4); MT captured from him seventeen hundred charioteers

⁵ When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand men.

⁶ Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

⁷ And David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.

⁸ And from Betah¹ and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a large amount of bronze.

1. Hebrew; some LXX manuscripts Tebah; see 1 Chronicles 18:8.

⁹ When King Toi¹ of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,

1. Toi is a variant of Tou; also in verse 10; see 1 Chronicles 18:9.

¹⁰ he sent his son Joram¹ 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,

1. Joram is a variant of Hadoram; see 1 Chronicles 18:10.

¹¹ and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued—

¹² from Edom¹ and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

1. Some Hebrew manuscripts, LXX, and Syriac (see also verse 14 and 1 Chronicles 18:11); most Hebrew manuscripts Aram

¹³ And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites¹ in the Valley of Salt.

1. A few Hebrew manuscripts, LXX, and Syriac (see also verse 14 and 1 Chronicles 18:12); most Hebrew manuscripts Arameans

¹⁴ He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

David’s Officers

(1 Chronicles 18:14–17)

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

¹⁶ Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

¹⁷ Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah¹ was the scribe;

1. Seraiah is also called Sheva, Shisha, and Shavsha; see 2 Samuel 20:25, 1 Kings 4:3, and 1 Chronicles 18:16.

¹⁸ Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.¹

1. Literally priests, or possibly chief officials; see LXX, Targum Yonaton, and 1 Chronicles 18:17.