2 Samuel 10

1 It happened after this, that the king of the children of `Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place.

2 David said, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nachash, as his father shown kindness to me. So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. David's servants came into the land of the children of `Ammon.

3 But the princes of the children of `Ammon said to Hanun their lord, Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Hasn't David sent his servants to you to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?

4 So Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.

5 When they told it to David, he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, Wait at Yericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

6 When the children of `Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the children of `Ammon sent and hired the Aram of Beit-Rechov, and the Aram of Tzovah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Ma`akhah with one thousand men, and the men of Tov twelve thousand men.

7 When David heard of it, he sent Yo'av, and all the host of the mighty men.

8 The children of `Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: and the Aram of Tzovah and of Rechov, and the men of Tov and Ma`akhah, were by themselves in the field.

9 Now when Yo'av saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Yisra'el, and put them in array against the Aram:

10 The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Avishai his brother; and he put them in array against the children of `Ammon.

11 He said, If the Aram be too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of `Ammon be too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

12 Be of good courage, and let us play the man for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seems him good.

13 So Yo'av and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Aram: and they fled before him.

14 When the children of `Ammon saw that the Aram were fled, they likewise fled before Avishai, and entered into the city. Then Yo'av returned from the children of `Ammon, and came to Yerushalayim.

15 When the Aram saw that they were put to the worse before Yisra'el, they gathered themselves together.

16 Hadad`ezer sent, and brought out the Aram who were beyond the River: and they came to Helam, with Shovakh the captain of the host of Hadad`ezer at their head.

17 It was told David; and he gathered all Yisra'el together, and passed over the Yarden, and came to Helam. The Aram set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.

18 The Aram fled before Yisra'el; and David killed of the Aram [the men of] seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shovakh the captain of their host, so that he died there.

19 When all the kings who were servants to Hadad`ezer saw that they were put to the worse before Yisra'el, they made shalom with Yisra'el, and served them. So the Aram feared to help the children of `Ammon any more.

2 Samuel 10 Commentary

Chapter 10

David's messengers ill-treated by Hanun. (1-5) The Ammonites defeated. (6-14) The Syrians defeated. (15-19)

Verses 1-5 Nahash had been an enemy to Israel, yet had showed kindness to David. David therefore resolves gratefully to return it. If a Pharisee gives alms in pride, though God will not reward it, yet he that receives the alms ought to return thanks for it. Those who bear ill-will to their neighbours, are resolved not to believe that their neighbours bear any good-will to them. There is nothing so well meant, but it may be ill interpreted, and is wont to be so, by men who love nobody but themselves. The best men must not think it strange if they are thus misrepresented. Charity thinketh no evil. According to the usages of those days and countries, Hanun treated David's ambassadors in the most contemptuous manner. David showed much concern for his servants. Let us learn not to lay unjust reproaches to heart; they will wear off, and turn only to the shame of those who utter or do them; while the reputation wrongfully hurt in a little time grows again, as these beards did. God will bring forth thy righteousness as the light, therefore wait patiently for him, ( psalms 37:6 psalms 37:7 ) .

Verses 6-14 They that are at war with the Son of David, not only give the provocation, but begin the war. God has forces to send against those that set his wrath at defiance, ( Isaiah 5:19 ) , which will convince them that none ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered. Christ's soldiers should strengthen one another's hands in their spiritual warfare. Let nothing be wanting in us, whatever the success be. When we make conscience of doing our duty, we may, with satisfaction, leave the event with God, assuredly hoping for his salvation in his own way and time.

Verses 15-19 Here is a new attempt of the Syrians. Even the baffled cause will make head as long as there is any life in it; the enemies of the Son of David do so. But now the promise made to Abraham, #Ge. 15:18 |, and repeated to Joshua, ( Joshua 1:4 ) , that the borders of Israel should extend to the river Euphrates, was performed. Learn hence, that it is dangerous to help those who have God against them; for when they fall, their helpers will fall with them.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 10

This chapter gives an account of the ill treatment of David's messengers to the king of Ammon, who were sent to condole the death of his father, and were basely used by him, which David resented, 2Sa 10:1-5; which the Ammonites perceiving prepared for war, and got the Syrians to be confederates with them; of which David being informed, sent Joab and Abishai into their country, 2Sa 10:6-8; who divided the army between them, and attacked the Ammonites and Syrians with great courage, and routed them both, and returned to Jerusalem, 2Sa 10:9-14; after which the Syrians gathered together again to fight with David, who went out to meet them, and got an entire conquest over them, and made them servants to him, 2Sa 10:15-19.