2 Samuel 8

1 Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines.

Sometime after this, David attacked and subdued the Philistines, taking Metheg-ammah from the them.

2 David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

David also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground, and he measured them with a length of cord. He measured two lengths for those to be killed, and one cord length for those to be allowed to live. So he made them subject to him and required them to pay taxes.

3 David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River.

David also defeated Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he tried to enforce his control along the Euphrates River.

4 David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

David captured from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers, and 20,000 foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses—except he saved enough for 100 chariots.

5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand men.

When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand of them.

6 Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

He placed garrisons in Aramean kingdom with its capital in Damascus, and made the Arameans subject to him and required them to pay taxes. The Lord gave David victories wherever he went.

7 And David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.

David took the shields of gold that belonged to Hadadezer's officers and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 And from Betah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a large amount of bronze.

King David also took a large quantity of bronze from Betah and Berothai, towns that had belonged to Hadadezer.

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

When Tou, king of Hamath, learned that David had destroyed the entire army of Hadadezer, king of Zobah,

10 he sent his son Joram to greet King David and bless him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer, who had been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver and gold and bronze,

he sent his son Joram to David to make friends with him and to congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer. Tou and Hadadezer had often been at war. Joram brought all kinds of gifts of gold, silver, and bronze.

11 and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued—

King David dedicated these gifts to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had taken from all the nations he had subdued:

12 from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalekites; as well as the plunder taken from Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

David also made a name for himself when he came back after defeating eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

14 He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

He placed garrisons all through Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victories wherever he went.

15 Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:

David ruled over all Israel. He did what was fair and right for all his people.

16 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

Joab, son of Zeruiah, was the army commander, and Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, kept the official records.

17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe;

Zadok, son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, were priests, while Seraiah was the secretary.

18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.

Benaiah, son of Jehoiada was in charge of the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David's sons were priests.