| International Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1Sometime later, David defeated and subdued the Philistines, taking Metheg-ammah away from the Philistines. | 1Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. David took Metheg Ammah from the Philistines. |
| 2David also conquered Moab, then measured them with a cord, making them lie down on the ground. He executed everyone measured out in each two lengths' measurement of the cord, but spared the ones measured out by every third length. Then the Moabites were placed under servitude to David, and made to pay tribute. | 2He defeated the Moabites. He made them lie on the ground and then used a rope to measure them off. He put two-thirds of them to death and spared the other third. The Moabites became David's subjects and brought tribute. |
| 3David also attacked King Hadadezer, Rehob's son from Zobah, when he was attempting to restore his hegemony over the Euphrates River. | 3David defeated King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah when he came to reestablish his authority over the Euphrates River. |
| 4David captured 1,000 of his chariots, 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses except for enough to supply 100 chariots. | 4David seized from him 1,700 charioteers and 20,000 infantrymen. David cut the hamstrings of all but a hundred of the chariot horses. |
| 5When Arameans came from Damascus to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David killed 22,000 of them. | 5The Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, but David killed 22,000 of the Arameans. |
| 6David erected garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, placing the Arameans under servitude to him, and they paid tribute to him. | 6David placed garrisons in the territory of the Arameans of Damascus; the Arameans became David's subjects and brought tribute. The LORD protected David wherever he campaigned. |
| 7David also confiscated the gold shields that belonged to Hadadezer's officers and took them to Jerusalem. | 7David took the golden shields that belonged to Hadadezer's servants and brought them to Jerusalem. |
| 8He also confiscated a vast quantity of bronze from Betah and Berothai, cities under Hadadezer's control. | 8From Tebah and Berothai, Hadadezer's cities, King David took a great deal of bronze. |
| 9When King Tou of Hamath learned that David had conquered the entire army of King Hadadezer of Zobah, | 9When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, |
| 10Tou sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory over Hadadezer, because he had been at war with Tou. Joram brought articles of silver, gold, and bronze with him, | 10he sent his son Joram to King David to extend his best wishes and to pronounce a blessing on him for his victory over Hadadezer, for Toi had been at war with Hadadezer. He brought with him various items made of silver, gold, and bronze. |
| 11and King David dedicated them to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that had been dedicated from all the nations that he had conquered, | 11King David dedicated these things to the LORD, along with the dedicated silver and gold that he had taken from all the nations that he had subdued, |
| 12including from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and spoil from King Hadadezer, Rehob's son from Zobah. | 12including Aram, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amelek. This also included some of the plunder taken from King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah. |
| 13David made a name for himself when he returned from killing 18,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley. | 13David became famous when he returned from defeating the Arameans in the Valley of Salt, he defeated 18,000 in all. |
| 14He erected garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subservient to David, while the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went. | 14He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became David's subjects. The LORD protected David wherever he campaigned. |
| 15David reigned over all of Israel, administering justice and equity to every one of his people. | 15David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people. |
| 16Zeruiah's son Joab served in charge of the army, Ahilud's son Jehoshaphat was his personal archivist, | 16Joab son of Zeruiah was general in command of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was secretary; |
| 17Ahitub's son Zadok and Abiathar's son Ahimelech were priests, Seraiah was his personal secretary, | 17Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was scribe; |
| 18Jehoida's son Benaiah supervised the special forces and mercenaries, and David's sons were priests. | 18Benaiah son of Jehoida supervised the Kerithites and Pelethites; and David's sons were priests. |
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