18:1 Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the
Philistines, and subdued them, and took a Gath and her
towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
(a) Which (2Sa 8:1) calls the bridle of bondage,
because it was a strong town and kept the country
around it in subjection.
18:6 Then David put [garrisons] in Syriadamascus; and the
Syrians became David's servants, [and] brought gifts. Thus
the LORD b preserved David whithersoever he went.
(b) That is in all things that he attempted.
18:8 Likewise from c 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.
(c) Which in (2Sa 8:8) is called Betah and Berothai.
18:10 He sent d Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire 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.
18:11 Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the
silver and the gold that he brought from all [these]
nations; from e Edom, and from Moab, and from the
children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from
Amalek.
(e) Because the Edomites and the Syrians joined their
power together, it is said, (2Sa 8:12) that the
Amramites were spoiled.
18:12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites
in the valley of salt f eighteen thousand.
(f) Which is understood that Joab slew 12,000 as is in
(Ps 60:1) and Abishai the rest.
18:17 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was] over the g
Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David
[were] chief about the king.