5. Arameans from Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah. But David defeated those 22,000 Arameans.
6. Then David put groups of soldiers in Damascus in Aram. The Arameans became David’s servants and gave him the payments he demanded. The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went.
7. David took the shields of gold that had belonged to Hadadezer’s officers. He brought them to Jerusalem.
8. David also took many things made of bronze from Tebah and Berothai. (They were cities that had belonged to Hadadezer.)
9. Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer.
10. So Toi sent his son Joram to greet and congratulate King David. Joram congratulated David for defeating Hadadezer. (Hadadezer had fought wars against Toi before.) Joram brought things made of silver, gold and bronze.
11. David took these things and gave them to the Lord. He also had given other silver and gold to the Lord. He had taken it from the nations he had defeated.
12. These nations were Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia and Amalek. David also defeated the king of Zobah who was Hadadezer son of Rehob.
13. David was famous after he returned from the Valley of Salt. There he had defeated 18,000 Arameans.
14. David put groups of soldiers through all the land of Edom. All the people of Edom became servants for him. The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went.
15. David was king over all Israel. His decisions were fair and right for all his people.
16. Joab son of Zeruiah was commander over the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder.
17. Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests. Seraiah was the royal assistant.
18. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites, the king’s bodyguards. And David’s sons were important leaders.