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as well for those that he had already bestowed upon him in
raising him from a low state； and from the employment of a
shepherd； to so great dignity of dominion and glory； as for those
also which he had promised to his posterity； and besides； for
that providence which he had exercised over the Hebrews in
procuring them the liberty they enjoyed。 And when he had said
thus； and had sung a hymn of praise to God； he went his way。
CHAPTER 5。
How David Brought Under The Philistines； And The Moabites； And
The Kings Of Sophene And Of Damascus； And Of The Syrians As Also
The Idumeans； In War； And How He Made A League With The King Of
Hamath； And Was Mindful Of The Friendship That Jonathan； The Son
Of Saul； Had Borne Him。
1。 A Litlle while after this； he considered that he ought to make
war against the Philistines； and not to see any idleness or
laziness permitted in his management； that so it might prove； as
God had foretold to him； that when he had overthrown his enemies；
he should leave his posterity to reign in peace afterward： so he
called together his army again； and when he had charged them to
be ready and prepared for war； and when he thought that all
things in his army were in a good state； he removed from
Jerusalem； and came against the Philistines； and when he had
overcome them in battle； and had cut off a great part of their
country； and adjoined it to the country of the Hebrews； he
transferred the war to the Moabites； and when he had overcome two
parts of their army in battle； he took the remaining part
captive； and imposed tribute upon them； to be paid annually。 He
then made war against Iadadezer； the son of Rehob； king of
Sophene； （10） and when he had joined battle with him at 'the
river Euphrates； he destroyed twenty thousand of his footmen； and
about seven thousand of his horsemen。 He also took a thousand of
his chariots； and destroyed the greatest part of them； and
ordered that no more than one hundred should be kept。 （11）
2。 Now when Hadad； king of Damascus and of Syria； heard that
David fought against Hadadezer； who was his friend； he came to
his assistance with a powerful army； in hopes to rescue him； and
when he had joined battle with David at the river Euphrates； he
failed of his purpose； and lost in the battle a great number of
his soldiers； for there were slain of the army of Hadad twenty
thousand； and all the rest fled。 Nicelens also ＇of Damascus＇
makes mention of this king in the fourth book of his histories；
where he speaks thus： 〃A great while after these things had
happened； there was one of that country whose name was Hadad； who
was become very potent； he reigned over Damascus； and； the other
parts of Syria； excepting Phoenicia。 He made war against David；
the king of Judea； and tried his fortune in many battles； and
particularly in the last battle at Euphrates； wherein he was
beaten。 He seemed to have been the most excellent of all their
kings in strength and manhood；〃 Nay； besides this； he says of his
posterity； that 〃they succeeded one another in his kingdom； and
in his name；〃 where he thus speaks： 〃When Hadad was dead； his
posterity reigned for ten generations； each of his successors
receiving from his father that his dominion； and this his name；
as did the Ptolemies in Egypt。 But the third was the most
powerful of them all； and was willing to avenge the defeat his
forefather had received； so he made an expedition against the
Jews； and laid waste the city which is now called Samaria。〃 Nor
did he err from the truth； for this is that Hadad who made the
expedition against Samaria； in the reign of Ahab； king of Israel；
concerning whom we shall speak in due place hereafter。
3。 Now when David had made an expedition against Damascus； and
the other parts of Syria； and had brought it all into subjection；
and had placed garrisons in the country； and appointed that they
should pay tribute； he returned home。 He also dedicated to God at
Jerusalem the golden quivers； the entire armor which the guards
of Hadad used to wear； which Shishak； the king of Egypt； took
away when he fought with David's grandson； Rehoboam； with a great
deal of other wealth which he carried out of Jerusalem。 However；
these things will come to be explained in their proper places
hereafter。 Now as for the king of the Hebrews； he was assisted by
God； who gave him great success in his wars； and he made all
expedition against the best cities of Hadadezer； Betah and
Machen； so he took them by force； and laid them waste。 Therein
was found a very great quantity of gold and silver； besides that
sort of brass which is said to be more valuable than gold； of
which brass Solomon made that large vessel which was called The
＇Brazen＇ Sea； and those most curious lavers； when he built the
temple for God。
4。 But when the king of Hamath was informed of the ill success of
Hadadezer； and had heard of the ruin of his army； he was afraid
on his own account； and resolved to make a league of friendship
and fidelity with David before he should come against him； so he
sent to him his son Joram； and professed that he owed him thanks
for fighting against Hadadezer； who was his enemy； and made a
league with him of mutual assistance and friendship。 He also sent
him presents； vessels of ancient workmanship； both of gold； of
silver； and of brass。 So when David had made this league of
mutual assistance with Toi； （for that was the name of the king of
Hamath；） and had received the presents he sent him； he dismissed
his son with that respect which was due on both sides； but then
David brought those presents that were sent by him； as also the
rest of the gold and silver which he had taken of the cities whom
he had conquered； and dedicated them to God。 Nor did God give
victory and success to him only when he went to the battle
himself； and led his own army； but he gave victory to Abishai；
the brother of Joab； general of his forces； over the Idumeans；
（12） and by him to David； when he sent him with an army into
Idumea： for Abishai destroyed eighteen thousand of them in the
battle； whereupon the king ＇of Israel＇ placed garrisons through
all Idumea； and received the tribute of the country； and of every
head among them。 Now David was in his nature just； and made his
determination with regard to truth。 He had for the general of his
whole army Joab； and he made Jehoshaphat； the son of Ahilud；
recorder。 He also appointed Zadok； of the family of Phinehas； to
be high priest； together with Abiathar； for he was his friend。 He
also made Seisan the scribe； and committed the command over the
guards of his body to Benaiah； the son of Jehoiada。 His elder
sons were near his body； and had the care of it also。
5。 He also called to mind the covenants and the oaths he had made
with Jonathan； the son of Saul； and the friendship and affection
Jonathan had for him； for besides all the rest of his excellent
qualities with which he was endowed； he was also exceeding
mindful of such as had at other times bestowed benefits upon him。
He therefore gave order that inquiry should be made； whether any
of Jonathan's lineage were living； to whom he might make return
of that familiar acquaintance