2 Samuel 10

Ammon and Aram Defeated

1 1Now it happened afterwards * that 2the king of the Ammonites * died, and Hanun his son became king in his place.
2 Then David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of 3Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent some of his servants to console him concerning his father. But when David's servants came to the land of the Ammonites *,
3 the princes of the Ammonites * said to Hanun their lord, "Do you think that David is honoring your father because he has sent consolers to you? 4Has David not sent his servants to you in order to search the city, to spy it out and overthrow it?"
4 So Hanun took David's servants and 5shaved off half of their beards, and 6cut off their garments in the middle as far as their hips, and sent them away.
5 When they told it to David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly humiliated. And the king said, "Stay at Jericho until your beards grow, and then return."
6 Now when the sons of Ammon saw that 7they had become odious to David, the sons of Ammon sent and 8hired the Arameans of 9Beth-rehob and the 10Arameans of Zobah, 20,000 * foot soldiers, and the king of 11Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob with 12,000 * * men.
7 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army, the mighty men.
8 The sons of Ammon came out and drew up in battle array 12at the entrance of the city, while the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of 13Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the field.
9 Now when Joab saw that the battle * was set against him in front and in the rear, he selected from all the choice men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Arameans.
10 But the remainder of the people he placed in the hand of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the sons of Ammon.
11 He said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you.
12 "14Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and 15may the LORD do what is good in His sight."
13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Arameans, and 16they fled before * him.
14 When the sons of Ammon saw that the Arameans fled, they also fled before * Abishai and entered the city. 17Then Joab returned from fighting against the sons of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.
15 When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together.
16 18And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Arameans who were beyond * the River, and they came to Helam; and 19Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer led them.
17 Now when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Arameans arrayed themselves to meet David and fought against him.
18 But the Arameans fled before * Israel, and David killed * charioteers of the Arameans and 40,000 * horsemen and struck down Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.
19 When all the kings, servants of Hadadezer, saw that they were defeated by Israel, 20they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Arameans feared to help the sons of Ammon anymore.

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.

Cross References 21

Footnotes 9

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.

2 Samuel 10 Commentaries

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