1.
Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
2.
And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
3.
And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
4.
And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.
1 Chronicles 18:4. David—houghed all the chariot-horses, &c.— David destroyed all the chariots, save a hundred, which he reserved. Houbigant. We observe, once for all, upon these chapters, that having enlarged on the subjects of them in the notes on Samuel, we shall make our annotations on them very short.
5.
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6.
Then David put garrisons in Syria-damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
7.
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8.
Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
9.
Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;
10.
He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to inquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
11.
Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
12.
Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.
13.
And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
14.
So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.
15.
And Joab the son Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.
16.
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
1 Chronicles 18:16. Abimelech, the son of Abiathar— Read, as in the parallel place, Ahimelech. Some inconsiderately would read, Abiathar, the son of
Ahimelech; when that Ahimelech, who was the son of Abiathar, is mentioned, ch. 1Ch 24:6 and in other places, and was another man. Houbigant.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, David's conquests here recorded, we had 2 Samuel 8. They followed upon the prayer and promise of the preceding chapter; for, they who have God for their friend have nothing to fear from their enemies. Note; (1.) Such shall be the believer's victories over all his corruptions: though they are numerous, and often return to the attack, yet sin shall not prevail against him. (2.) The associated forces of earth and hell in vain oppose God's church; it shall stand triumphant at last over every foe. (3.) Shields of gold cannot defend us; but the shield of faith never faileth.
2nd, They who are prosperous, like David, will be courted; but a true friend is best known in adversity. Tou counted David's favour well worth the most valuable present that he could send him; and shall we not be more solicitous to secure him for our friend, whose favour is better than life itself, and which may be obtained without price or present? David's government appears to be as excellent as his victories were glorious; and no wonder, when God prospered him in every undertaking. The son of David rules with greater equity, as well as enjoys a more universal dominion: happy the people who are subjects of his righteous government, and enjoy his divine protection.
17.
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethiten of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
18.
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.