Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Chronicles 18:6

"Then David put [garrisons] in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. And Jehovah gave victory to David whithersoever he went." — 1 Chronicles 18:6 (ASV)

Put garrisons. — The noun omitted here in the Hebrew, probably by an oversight, occurs in Samuel. In 1 Chronicles 11:16 and 2 Chronicles 17:2 it means “outpost,” or “garrison;” in 1 Kings 4:19, “prefects,” or “pashas.” The Targum of Samuel gives strategi, “generals;” Syriac and Arabic, “prefects” and “collectors;” Septuagint and Vulgate, “garrison.” The Arabic here has “collectors and guards;” the Syriac, “commanders.”

Syria-damascus. — Aram of Damascus (1 Chronicles 18:5). (Compare to 1 Chronicles 18:2 for the next clause.)

David’s servants. — To David servants —the order in Samuel.

Thus. — And.

Preserved. — Made victorious.

Preserved David. — Samuel has ‘eth-David—i.e., the simple accusative; Chronicles, le-David, a late construction.

Wherever he went. — Same phrase as in 1 Chronicles 17:6; 1 Chronicles 17:8.

Shields. — Shiltê. Probably “armour” or “arms.” (Compare to 2 Kings 11:10; 2 Chronicles 23:9, the spears, and the shields, and the sh’lâtîm; Ezekiel 27:11; Song of Solomon 4:4; Jeremiah 51:11, quivers.) Septuagint here, “golden collars” (Samuel, “bracelets”); Syriac and Arabic, “golden plates which hung on the horses;” Vulgate, “quivers” (Samuel, “golden arms”).

Hadadezer was not dethroned, but became a vassal king.