2 Samuel 10:9

9 When Joab saw that {the battle was to be fought on two fronts}, he chose from all [the] members of the elite troops of Israel and {lined them up for battle} to meet Aram.

2 Samuel 10:9 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 10:9

When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him
before and behind
Or "the face" of it ^F23; armies appeared both before and behind, about to attack him both in front and rear; the Targum is,

``and Joab saw that the warriors, or those that made war, were strong against him before and behind:''

he chose of all the choice [men] of Israel;
the most eminent for strength, and valour, and military skill, who had been tried, and were famous for warlike exploits, the flower of the army:

and put [them] in array against the Syrians;
who might be the strongest party, and the best soldiers; though being but mercenaries, if hard beset, would sooner give way, as he might suppose, upon which the Ammonites would do the same.

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 (ynp) "facies", Pagninus, Montanus.

2 Samuel 10:9 In-Context

7 When David heard, he sent Joab and all the army of mighty warriors.

8 The {Ammonites} came out and {drew up a battle formation} at the entrance of the gate, but Aram-Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah [were] alone in the open field.

9 When Joab saw that {the battle was to be fought on two fronts}, he chose from all [the] members of the elite troops of Israel and {lined them up for battle} to meet Aram.

10 The rest of the army he placed into the hand of his brother Abishai, who {arranged them in battle lines} to meet the {Ammonites}.

11 Then he said, "If Aram [is] stronger than I [am], you must become my deliverer; but if the {Ammonites} [are] too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "the face of the battle [was] against him in front and in the rear"
• [b] Literally "arrayed"