2Sa 10:1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
The king of the sons of Ammon - The Ammonites are almost always spoken of as the children of Ammon, from the name of their first ancestor Ben-ammi Gen_19:38 And the younger also bore a son, and called his name Ben-ammi; he is the father of the sons of Ammon to this day.
And it came to pass after this - After the wars with the Moabites, Syrians, and Edomites, being friendly with the children of Ammon, David sent an embassy to their king; by which it appears what is said concerning the spoils of the children of Ammon, 2Sa_8:12 of Syria, and of Moab, and of the sons of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah is by anticipation; for these spoils were not taken until the war with them told in this chapter.
the king of the children of Ammon died - whose name was Nahash, as is clear from 2Sa_10:2, and probably was the same that came against Jabeshgilead, from whom Saul delivered the inhabitants of that place, 1Sa_11:1 And Nahash the Ammonite came up and camped against Jabesh-gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.
2Sa 10:2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash - We do not know exactly the nature or extent of the obligation which David was under to the king of the Ammonites; but it is likely that the Nahash here mentioned was the same who had attacked Jabesh-gilead, and whom Saul defeated: as David had taken refuge with the Moabites, 1Sa_22:3, and this was contiguous to the king of the Ammonites, his hatred to Saul might induce him to show particular kindness to David.
David sent to comfort him - for the death of his father; to condole the loss of him, which was the custom of kings in friendship and alliance in former times, and still continues:
2Sa 10:3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
The princes of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun - The suspicion expressed by the chiefs was founded upon national hatred and enmity, possibly increased by David's treatment of Moab, as the subjugation and severe punishment of the Moabites 2Sa_8:2 had certainly taken place a short time before. King Hanun therefore gave credence to the suspicions expressed as to David's honorable intentions, and had his ambassadors treated in the most insulting manner.
The princes of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun - Their suspicion was not warranted either by any overt act or by any cherished design of David: it must have originated in their knowledge of the denunciations of God’s law against them (Deu_23:3-6), and of David’s policy in steadfastly adhering to it.
David sends comforters - an Israelite was forbidden to seek peace and prosperity of its enemies in the promised land nor might Ammonite enter into their congregation unto the tenth generation, Deu_23:3. Some have thought that David did not do a right thing in sending this embassy,; but he acted according to the laws of friendship, and was cordial and sincere in what he did.
2Sa 10:4 Wherefore 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.
The half of the beard - the beard on one side. Beards were important in biblical times, and still so in many cultures today. The cutting off of one-half of it was the greatest insult that could have been offered to the ambassadors, and through them to David their king. The insult was still further increased by cutting off the long dress which covered the body; the lower half of the body was quite exposed since the ancient Israelites wore no undergarments. The beard was never cut off but in mourning, or as a sign of slavery. Cutting off half of the beard and the clothes rendered the men ridiculous, and made them look like slaves: what was done to these men was an accumulation of insult.
2Sa 10:5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
Tarry at Jericho - This city had not been rebuilt since the time of Joshua; but there were, no doubt, many cottages still remaining, and larger dwellings also, but the walls had not been repaired. As it must have been comparatively a private place, it was proper for these men to tarry in, as they would not be exposed to public notice.
When they told it unto David - Not the ambassadors, for they were not yet arrived, but some of their servants, perhaps, they sent before them to acquaint David with the events that took place.
he sent to meet them - he sent men to meet them likely with proper garments to put on, and to give them further directions. When David received information of the insults that had been heaped upon his ambassadors, he sent messengers to meet them, and direct them to remain in Jericho until their beard had grown again.
because the men were greatly ashamed – ashamed to proceed on their journey, and come to court in the condition they were:
then return - that is, to Jerusalem
2Sa 10:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.
They stank before David - A strong figure for to be odious or detested. That their conduct rendered them abominable. This is the Hebrew mode of expressing such a feeling. Gen_34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, You have troubled me, to make me stink among those who live in the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. And I, being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and kill me. And I shall be destroyed, my house and I.
King Maacah - Also 1Ch_19:6-7. It appears to have been a very small state, since its king only brought a thousand men into the field.
the Syrians of Bethrehob - a place near Hamath, Num_13:21; there was a city of this name in the tribe of Asher, out of which the Canaanites could not be driven, and perhaps now inhabited by Syrians, or by a people so called, Jos_19:28,
the Syrians of Zoba - Hadadezer was their king, with whom David had fought before, and beat, and who owed him a grudge on that account, and was ready to assist the Ammonites against him, 2Sa_8:3 David also struck Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates .
King Maacah - that is, of the king of Maacah, a place in the tribe off Manasseh, from whence the inhabitants could not be expelled, Jos_13:11; and seems now to have been inhabited by Syrians, and therefore is called Syriamaachah, 1Ch_19:6
Ishtob - thought to be the same with the land of Tob, whither Jephthah fled, and dwelt in it, when ill used by his brethren, Jdg_11:3.
This account slightly differs from the corresponding one in 1 Chronicles 19. There, only some of the participants mentioned here are listed. It is likely that the writer of the Chronicles omitted Beth-rehob and Tob as being names that were less known, this being the only place in the Old Testament in which they occur as separate kingdoms, and simply mentioned the kingdoms of Maacah and Zoba, which frequently occur; and that he included “Aram of the two rivers,” and placed it at the head, because the Syrians obtained succor from Mesopotamia after their first defeat.
2Sa 10:7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
2Sa 10:8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
At the entering in of the gate - This was the city of Medeba, a city that lay on the borders of their country, and was a frontier town. 1Ch_19:7 And they hired thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people, who came and pitched before Medeba. And the Ammonites gathered themselves from their cities and came to battle.
were by themselves in the field - at some distance from the city. Perhaps the Ammonites were choosing not to trust: mercenaries in it; or perhaps they placed these in ambush in the field, to get Joab between two lines.
2Sa 10:9 When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
Before and behind - When Joab fronted this army, the other appears to have issued from the city, and to have taken him in the rear; he was therefore obliged to divide his army as here mentioned; one part to face the Syrians commanded by himself, and the other to face the Ammonites commanded by his brother Abishai.
he chose of all the choice men of Israel - the most eminent for strength, and valor, and military skill, who had been tried, and were famous for warlike exploits.
2Sa 10:10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
2Sa 10:11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
And he said, if the Syrians be too strong for me - Which he might perceive by Joab's forces giving way, or by some signal agreed on between them
2Sa 10:12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
for our people, and for the cities of our God - that the people of Israel might not be carried captive, and their cities spoiled and plundered; and instead of being cities where the people of God dwelt, and he was worshipped, would, if taken, become the habitations of idolatrous people, and where temples would be erected to idols. These were the arguments he used to engage them to fight manfully for their country, the liberties and religion of it:
Be of good courage - This Joab said, not only to encourage Abishai and himself, but in the hearing of the rest of the officers of the army, and of many of the people, to hearten them to the battle; who might be somewhat intimidated with the number of their enemies, and the position they were in, being before and behind them; and therefore he thought proper to make such a speech to.
the Lord do that which seemeth him good - suggesting that victory was of the Lord, and that it became them to do their part in fighting courageously, and leave the issue to the Lord, on whom alone success depended.
2Sa 10:13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians - Fell upon them; attacked them first, began the battle with them, rightly judging, that if they, being hired soldiers, were closely pressed, they would give way, which would discourage the Ammonites, who depended much upon them.
2Sa 10:14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
The Syrians were fled - They betook themselves to their own confines, while the Ammonites escaped into their own city.
Joab returned – he did not stay to lay siege to their city, the season of the year not being proper for it, winter drawing near; 2Sa_11:1 And it happened at the turn of the year, at the time kings go forth, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they destroyed the sons of Ammon and circled Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. and the Syrians were not sufficiently broken to make it safe to undertake a regular siege.
came to Jerusalem - in triumph, to report to David the victory he had obtained.
2Sa 10:15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
2Sa 10:16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
The Syrians that were beyond the river - That is, the Euphrates.
Hadarezer - This is the same that was overthrown by David, 2Sa_8:3 and there called Hadadezer. He was at the head of this confederacy, and to whom the rest of the kings of Syria were servants, 2Sa_10:19.
2Sa 10:17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him - they formed themselves in a line of battle, and attacked him first, being eager to fight, and perhaps confident of victory, because of their numbers.
2Sa 10:18 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.
Seven hundred chariots - In the parallel place, 1Ch_19:18, it is said, David slew of the Syrians Seven Thousand men, which fought in chariots. It is difficult to ascertain the right number in this and similar places. The frequent errors in numbers arise from the practice of expressing numerals by letters, with one or more dots or dashes to indicate hundreds, thousands, etc. Some scholars think that here the chariots are numbered, and in 1 Chronicles, the men were numbered, 10 men to a chariot. One scholar thinks only the best chariots were counted here. That view seems unlikely.
forty thousand horsemen - in 1Ch_19:17 it is forty thousand footmen.
2Sa 10:19 And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer 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.
Servants to Hadarezer - This gives us an idea of the great power of Hadarezer, and consequently of the strength of Israel in David’s victorious reign.
Made peace with Israel - They made this peace separately, and were obliged to pay tribute to the Israelites whereby the promise of the land of Canaan made to Abraham and his seed, as reaching to the river Euphrates, had its accomplishment, Gen_15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, I have given this land to your seed, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates. In the space of nineteen or twenty years, David had the good fortune to finish gloriously eight wars, all righteously undertaken, and all honorably terminated; 1. The civil war with Ish-bosheth. 2. The war against the Jebusites. 3. The war against the Philistines and their allies. 4. The war against the Philistines alone. 5. The war against the Moabites. 6. The war against Hadadezer. 7. The war against the Idumeans. 8. The war against the Ammonites and Syrians. This last victory was soon followed by the complete conquest of the kingdom of the Ammonites, abandoned by their allies.
We have now done with the first part of this book, in which we find David great, glorious, and pious: we come to the second part, in which we shall have the pain to observe him fallen from God, and his horn defiled in the dust by sin.
