2 Samuel 10:19

19 And when all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

2 Samuel 10:19 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 10:19

And when all the kings [that were] servants to Hadarezer
That were subject to him, and at his beck and command, at least were hired by him into his service:

saw that they were smitten before Israel;
could not stand their ground against them, being too powerful for them;

they made peace with Israel, and served them;
became tributaries to them, whereby the promise of the land of Canaan made to Abraham and his seed, as reaching to the river Euphrates, had its accomplishment, ( Genesis 15:18 ) ;

so the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more;
who standing by themselves, they were soon and easily conquered by David's forces, as recorded in the following chapters.

2 Samuel 10:19 In-Context

17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and passed over the Jordan and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.

18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

19 And when all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.