II Samuel

aThis chapter is reproduced, with some variations, in 1 Chron. 18. Sometime afterward, David attacked the Philistines and subdued them; and David took Metheg-ammahbMetheg-ammah If not a place name, meaning of Heb. uncertain. from the Philistines.

He also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground and he measured them off with a cord; he measured out two lengths of cord for those who were to be put to death, and one length for those to be spared.ctwo lengths … death, and one length … spared I.e., he repeatedly doomed twice the number he spared. And the Moabites became tributary vassals of David.

David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who was then on his way to restore his monumentdmonument On yad in this sense, cf. 18.18; 1 Chron. 18.3; 1 Sam. 15.12. In contrast to others “dominion.” at the Euphrates River.

David captured 1,700 charioteers and 20,000 foot soldiers of his force; and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, except for 100 that he retained.

And when the Arameans of Damascus came to the aid of King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 of the Arameans.

David stationed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became tributary vassals of David. GOD gave David victory wherever he went.

David took the gold shieldseshields Or “quivers.” carried by Hadadezer’s retinue and brought them to Jerusalem;

and from Betah and Berothai, towns of Hadadezer, King David took a vast amount of copper.

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

Toi sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him on his military victory over Hadadezer—for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi. [Joram] brought with him objects of silver, gold, and copper.

King David dedicated these to GOD, along with the other silver and gold that he dedicated, [taken] from all the nations he had conquered:

from Edom,fEdom So several mss., Septuagint, and 1 Chron. 18.11–13; and cf. v. 14 below. Printed editions and most mss. read “Aram.” Moab, and Ammon; from the Philistines and the Amalekites, and from the plunder of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

David gained fame when he returned from defeatinggwhen he returned from defeating Cf. 1 Chron. 18.12 and Ps. 60.1, which read differently. Edom,hEdom See note at v. 12. in the Valley of Salt, 18,000 in all.

He stationed garrisons in Edom—he stationed garrisons in all of Edomihe stationed garrisons in all of Edom This phrase is lacking in 1 Chron. 18.13.—and all the Edomites became vassals of David. GOD gave David victory wherever he went.

David reigned over all Israel, and David executed true justice among all his people.

Joab son of Zeruiah was commander of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder;

Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of AbiatharjAhimelech son of Abiathar Emendation yields “Abiathar son of Ahimelech,” cf., e.g., 20.25; 1 Sam. 22.20. were priests; SeraiahkSeraiah “Sheva” in 20.25; “Shavsha” in 1 Chron. 18.16. was scribe;

Benaiah son of Jehoiada was commander oflcommander of So Targum (cf. 20.23; 1 Chron. 18.17); Heb. “and.” the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.