1 Chronicles 18

God makes David victorious over Philistines, Zobah, and Syria

After this David defeated the Philistines and took Gath and its villages from them. He defeated Moab, and made the Moabites his servants who offered him tribute. David also defeated Zobah-Hamath's King Hadadezer as he went to set up his monument at the Euphrates river. David took from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. David crippled the chariot horses, only leaving enough for 100 chariots. When the Syrians came from Damascus to help Zobah's King Hadadezer, David killed 22,000 Syrian men. David stationed troops in Syria, and made the Syrians his servants who offered him tribute. The Existing One made David victorious wherever he went. David took the gold shields from Hadadezer's troops and brought them to Jerusalem. And David took a large amount of bronze from Hadadezer's cities Tibhath and Cun. That's the bronze Solomon used to make the bronze basin, pillars, and vessels.

David dedicates the loot to God

When Hamath's King Tou heard that David defeated Zobah's King Hadadezer, he sent his son Hadoram to ask David about his health and bless him after fighting Hadadezer (since Hadadezer warred so much with Tou). He sent all sorts of gold, silver, and bronze. King David dedicated these to the Existing One, along with the silver and gold he took from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.

Israel conquers Edom

Zeruiah's son Abishai killed 18,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley. He stationed troops in Edom, and all the Edomites became David's servants. The Existing One made David victorious wherever he went.

Israel's leaders

So David reigned over all of Israel, and he administered justice and equality to all his people. Zeruiah's son Joab led the army. Ahilud's son Jehoshaphat was the recorder. Ahitub's son Zadok and Abiathar's son Ahimelech were the priests. Shavsha was the secretary. Jehoiada's son Benaiah led the Cherethites and Pelethites. David's sons were the chief officials.