Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

After this, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. He took control of Gath and its surrounding towns, putting an end to their rule.

David also conquered Moab, forcing the Moabites to become his servants and bring him tribute. He marched against Hadarezer, the king of Zobah, extending his dominion all the way from Hamath down to the Euphrates River.

In that campaign, David captured one thousand chariots, seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers from Hadarezer. He disabled all but a hundred of the chariot horses and took them as spoils. The Syrian army from Damascus came to aid Hadarezer, but David defeated twenty-two thousand of their men.

To solidify his control over Syria, David stationed garrisons in Damascus. As a result, the Syrians became his servants, bringing tribute to him wherever he went. God watched over and protected David in all that he did.

David also took possession of the gold shields belonging to Hadarezer's servants and brought them back to Jerusalem as spoils. From Tibhath and Chun, two cities captured from Hadarezer, David extracted large quantities of bronze, which his son Solomon later used to make the bronze sea, pillars, and other vessels.

When King Tou of Hamath learned about David's crushing victory over Hadarezer, he sent his son Hadoram to greet David and bless him. He also brought with him many precious gifts made of gold, silver, and bronze.

David dedicated these spoils to God, using the wealth he had taken from Edom, Moab, the children of Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek. Abishai, David's nephew, was instrumental in his military campaigns, defeating eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He stationed garrisons throughout Edom, forcing them to become David's servants.

Throughout all these battles, God remained faithful to David, watching over him wherever he went. David ruled Israel with justice and fairness, ensuring that his people lived under a fair and just system.

Joab, David's nephew, was appointed commander of the army, while Jehoshaphat served as recorder. Zadok, Abimelech, and Shavsha played important roles in the royal administration, serving as priests and scribes. Benaiah, another member of David's family, oversaw the Cherethites and Pelethites, elite troops who served as the king's bodyguards.

David's sons were also given positions of authority within the kingdom, acting as chief officials serving the king with loyalty and dedication.