1 Chronicles 18 · a question people ask
Who struck the Edomites in the Valley of Salt: Abishai, or David?
This chapter says, "Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah struck eighteen thousand of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt" (18:12). 2 Samuel, telling the same battles, says, "David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt" (2 Samuel 8:13). The title of Psalm 60 speaks of the time when David fought "with Aram Naharaim and with Aram Zobah, and Joab returned, and killed twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt" (Psalm 60:1). So the three name Abishai, David and Joab; they say Edomites, Syrians and Edom; and they give eighteen thousand, eighteen thousand and twelve thousand. The next verse opens alike in both books: "He put garrisons in Edom" (1 Chronicles 18:13; 2 Samuel 8:14). 2 Samuel 8's honest question on the differences sets the same verses side by side. The Bible doesn't explain how they fit together, and this answer doesn't either.
The verses
“Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah struck eighteen thousand of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.”
“David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons in Edom. Throughout all Edom, he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.”
“For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A teaching poem by David, when he fought with Aram Naharaim and with Aram Zobah, and Joab returned, and killed twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt. God, you have rejected us. You have broken us down. You have been angry. Restore us, again.”