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