1Ch 19:1 Now it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead.
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.
Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died - There had subsisted a very friendly relation between David and him, begun during the exile of the former, and cemented, doubtless, by their common hostility to Saul. The history is here a duplicate to the history in 2 Samuel 10.
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.
Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died - who 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.
1Ch 19:2 And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.
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.
Hanun - A Philistine king of this name is mentioned in the Assyrian inscriptions as paying tribute to Tiglath-pileser and warring with Sargon.
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 messengers 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.
1Ch 19:3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?
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?
are not his servants come unto thee for to search - that is, the capital, Rabbah (2Sa_10:3).
The princes of the children 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 children 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 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD. Even to their tenth generation they shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD forever, 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.
1Ch 19:4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.
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.
And cut off their garments in the midst - leaving exposed what decency requires to be concealed.
shaved them - not completely, but only the half of their face. This disrespect to the beard, and indecent exposure of their persons by their clothes being cut off from the girdle downwards, was the grossest indignity to which Jews or anyone could be subjected. No wonder that the men were ashamed to appear in public - that the king recommended them to remain in seclusion on the border till the mark of their disgrace had disappeared - and then they might, with propriety, return to the court.
shaved them - 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.
1Ch 19:5 Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
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.
told David how the men were served - 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
1Ch 19:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.
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.
A thousand talents of silver - The price is not given in Samuel.
Chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia - These are not mentioned in the parallel place in Samuel. The Mesopotamian troops did not arrive during this campaign (1Ch_19:16). Syria-maachah lay on the north of the possessions of the trans-jordanic Israelites, near Gilead.
when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David - That their conduct rendered them abominable. One universal feeling of indignation was roused throughout Israel, and all classes supported the king in his determination to avenge this unprovoked insult on the Hebrew nation.
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.
1Ch 19:7 So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.
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 hired thirty and two thousand chariots - The reading is likely corrupt. Such a number as 32,000 chariots alone was never brought into battle on any occasion. Compare the numbers in Exo_14:7; 1Ki_10:26; 2Ch_12:3. The largest force which an Assyrian king ever speaks of encountering is 3,940. The words “and horsemen” have probably fallen out of the text after the word “chariots”. The word here is raichev and denotes not only a chariot, but a rider (see Isa_21:7). The 32,000 would be the number of the warriors serving on horseback or in chariots; and this number would agree closely with the numbers listed 2Sa_10:6. In 2 Sam 10:6, the men of Beth-rehob and Zobah equaled 20,000. The men of Ish-tob equaled 12,000. The men of Maachah equaled 1,000 for a total of 33, 000. In this verse, the total is 32, 000 with an unknown number from Machah which is 1000 according to 2 Samuel, bringing the total to 33,000 and agreeing with the verse in 2 Samuel.
1Ch 19:8 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
2Sa 10:7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
David sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men - All the forces of Israel, including the great military orders, were engaged in this war.
1Ch 19:9 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.
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.
Before 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.
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.
the kings that were come were by themselves in the field - The Israelite army being thus beset by the Ammonites in front, and by the Syrian auxiliaries behind, Joab resolved to attack the latter (the more numerous and formidable host), while he directed his brother Abishai, with a suitable detachment, to attack the Ammonites. Joab’s address before the engagement displays the faith and piety that became a commander of the Hebrew people. The mercenaries being defeated, the courage of the Ammonites failed; so that, taking flight, they entrenched themselves within the fortified walls.
1Ch 19:10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.
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.
1Ch 19:11 And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon.
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.
1Ch 19:12 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 help thee.
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
1Ch 19:13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.
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 is good in his sight - 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.
let us behave - In Samuel, "let us play the men;" but the Hebrew word is the same in both places, nithchazzak.
1Ch 19:14 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.
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 and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle - 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.
1Ch 19:15 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.
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 came to Jerusalem – in triumph, to report to David the victory he had obtained. 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.
1Ch 19:16 And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
2Sa 10:15-16 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. 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.
1Ch 19:17 And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.
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.
1Ch 19:18 But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.
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 thousand men which fought in chariots - In the parallel place, 2Sa 10:18, it is said, David slew of the Syrians men of seven hundred 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 men are numbered, and in 2 Samuel, the chariots were numbered, 10 men to a chariot.
forty thousand footmen - in 2Sa 10:18 it is forty thousand horsemen.
1Ch 19:19 And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.
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.
