2 Samuel 8
8
David Wins Many Wars
1Later David defeated the Philistines and took control of a large area of land around Gath.#8:1 area of land around Gath Or “villages controlled by the mother city” or “Metheg-Ammah.” See 1 Chron. 18:1. 2He also defeated the Moabites. He forced them to lie on the ground in a long row. Using a rope to measure, those within two lengths of the rope were killed and those within every third length were allowed to live. So the Moabites became servants of David and paid tribute to him.
3David went to an area near the Euphrates to set up a monument for himself.#8:3 David went … for himself Or “David went to take control of the area near the Euphrates River.” At that time he defeated the king of Zobah, Hadadezer son of Rehob. 4David took 1000 chariots, 7000 horse soldiers,#8:4 David … soldiers This is found in the ancient Greek version and a Hebrew scroll from Qumran. The standard Hebrew text has “1700 horse soldiers.” and 20,000 foot soldiers from Hadadezer. He crippled all but 100 of the chariot horses.#8:4 He crippled … horses Or “He destroyed all but 100 chariots.”
5Arameans from Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, but David defeated those 22,000 Arameans. 6Then David put his soldiers in Damascus, Aram. The Arameans became David’s servants and brought tribute. The Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.
7David took the gold shields#8:7 shields Or “bow cases.” that had belonged to Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Jerusalem. 8David also took many things made of bronze from Tebah#8:8 Tebah This is found in some ancient Greek copies. The standard Hebrew text has “Betah.” See 1 Chron. 18:8. and Berothai. (Tebah and Berothai were cities that had belonged to Hadadezer.)
9King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated Hadadezer’s whole army. 10Hadadezer had fought against Toi in the past, so Toi sent his son Joram to King David. Joram greeted him and blessed him because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him. Joram brought gifts of silver, gold, and bronze. 11David took these things and dedicated them to the Lord, as he had done with all the other things he had taken from the nations he had defeated: 12Aram, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek. He had also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13David had defeated 18,000 Edomites#8:13 Edomites This is found in the ancient Greek and Syriac versions and a few Hebrew copies. The standard Hebrew text has “Arameans.” in Salt Valley. He was famous when he came home. 14He put teams of soldiers throughout Edom, and the whole nation became his servants. The Lord gave victory to him wherever he went.
David’s Rule
15David ruled over all Israel, and he made good and fair decisions for all of his people. 16Joab son of Zeruiah was the captain over the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the historian. 17Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests. Seraiah was secretary. 18Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the Kerethites and Pelethites,#8:18 Kerethites and Pelethites These were David’s special bodyguards. An ancient Aramaic version has “the archers and stone throwers.” This would mean these men were specially trained in using bows and arrows and slings. and David’s sons were priests.#8:18 priests Or “important leaders.”
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2 Samuel 8: ERV
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© 1987, 2004 Bible League International
2 Samuel 8
8
David's Wars
1Some time afterward, David attacked the Philistines and subdued them; David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
2He also defeated the Moabites and, making them lie down on the ground, measured them off with a cord; he measured two lengths of cord for those who were to be put to death, and one length#8.2 Heb one full length for those who were to be spared. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.
3David also struck down King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah, as he went to restore his monument#8.3 Compare 1 Sam 15.12 and 2 Sam 18.18 at the river Euphrates. 4David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but left enough for a hundred chariots. 5When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand men of the Arameans. 6Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus; and the Arameans became servants to David and brought tribute. The Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. 7David took the gold shields that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8From Betah and from Berothai, towns of Hadadezer, King David took a great amount of bronze.
9When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, 10Toi sent his son Joram to King David, to greet him and to congratulate him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him. Now Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver, gold, and bronze; 11these also King David dedicated to the Lord, together with the silver and gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued, 12from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah.
13David won a name for himself. When he returned, he killed eighteen thousand Edomites#8.13 Gk: Heb returned from striking down eighteen thousand Arameans in the Valley of Salt. 14He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.
David's Officers
15So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and equity to all his people. 16Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 17Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; 18Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over#8.18 Syr Tg Vg 20.23; 1 Chr 18.17: Heb lacks was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were priests.
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New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.