Our Father Gives David Every Victory
A summary of conquests — Philistines, Moab, Zobah, Aram, Edom — with tribute flowing in and the bronze stockpiled for a temple David will not build. The line that matters twice: our Father gave him victory wherever he went, and he ruled justly.
18 1After this, David defeated the Philistines, subduing them, and took Gath and its villages from the Philistines' hand. 2He also defeated Moab, and the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.
3David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah, up to Hamath, going to extend his power to the Euphrates River. 4David captured from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. He hamstrung all the chariot horses, keeping enough for one hundred chariots. 5When Aram of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 Arameans. 6David placed garrisons in Aram-Damascus; the Arameans became his servants, paying tribute. And our Father gave David victory wherever he went. 7David took the gold shields carried by Hadadezer's officers and brought them to Jerusalem. 8From Tibhath and Cun, Hadadezer's cities, David took huge amounts of bronze; with it Solomon made the bronze Sea, the pillars, and bronze vessels.
9When Tou king of Hamath heard David had defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah's whole army, 10he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet and bless him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer, who had often warred with Tou. Hadoram brought gold, silver, and bronze articles of every kind. 11King David dedicated these to our Father, with the silver and gold he had taken from all the nations: Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.
12Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13David placed garrisons in Edom; all Edomites became his subjects, and our Father gave him victory wherever he went.
David Reigns With Justice and Righteousness
14So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people. 15Joab son of Zeruiah commanded the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 16Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was secretary; 17Benaiah son of Jehoiada led the Cherethites and Pelethites; David's sons served as top officials beside the king. a a v17 The Cherethites and Pelethites were David's elite royal bodyguard units, likely professional foreign soldiers.
