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2 Samuel 10:1 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And it came to pass after this, H310 that the king H4428 of the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 died, H4191 and Hanun H2586 his son H1121 reigned H4427 in his stead.

Cross Reference

Judges 10:7-9 STRONG

And the anger H639 of the LORD H3068 was hot H2734 against Israel, H3478 and he sold H4376 them into the hands H3027 of the Philistines, H6430 and into the hands H3027 of the children H1121 of Ammon. H5983 And that year H8141 they vexed H7492 and oppressed H7533 the children H1121 of Israel: H3478 eighteen H8083 H6240 years, H8141 all the children H1121 of Israel H3478 that were on the other side H5676 Jordan H3383 in the land H776 of the Amorites, H567 which is in Gilead. H1568 Moreover the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 passed over H5674 Jordan H3383 to fight H3898 also against Judah, H3063 and against Benjamin, H1144 and against the house H1004 of Ephraim; H669 so that Israel H3478 was sore H3966 distressed. H3334

Judges 11:12-28 STRONG

And Jephthah H3316 sent H7971 messengers H4397 unto the king H4428 of the children H1121 of Ammon, H5983 saying, H559 What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come H935 against me to fight H3898 in my land? H776 And the king H4428 of the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 answered H559 unto the messengers H4397 of Jephthah, H3316 Because Israel H3478 took away H3947 my land, H776 when they came up H5927 out of Egypt, H4714 from Arnon H769 even unto Jabbok, H2999 and unto Jordan: H3383 now therefore restore those lands again H7725 peaceably. H7965 And Jephthah H3316 sent H7971 messengers H4397 again H3254 unto the king H4428 of the children H1121 of Ammon: H5983 And said H559 unto him, Thus saith H559 Jephthah, H3316 Israel H3478 took not away H3947 the land H776 of Moab, H4124 nor the land H776 of the children H1121 of Ammon: H5983 But when Israel H3478 came up H5927 from Egypt, H4714 and walked H3212 through the wilderness H4057 unto the Red H5488 sea, H3220 and came H935 to Kadesh; H6946 Then Israel H3478 sent H7971 messengers H4397 unto the king H4428 of Edom, H123 saying, H559 Let me, I pray thee, pass through H5674 thy land: H776 but the king H4428 of Edom H123 would not hearken H8085 thereto. And in like manner they sent H7971 unto the king H4428 of Moab: H4124 but he would H14 not consent: and Israel H3478 abode H3427 in Kadesh. H6946 Then they went along H3212 through the wilderness, H4057 and compassed H5437 the land H776 of Edom, H123 and the land H776 of Moab, H4124 and came H935 by the east side H4217 H8121 of the land H776 of Moab, H4124 and pitched H2583 on the other side H5676 of Arnon, H769 but came H935 not within the border H1366 of Moab: H4124 for Arnon H769 was the border H1366 of Moab. H4124 And Israel H3478 sent H7971 messengers H4397 unto Sihon H5511 king H4428 of the Amorites, H567 the king H4428 of Heshbon; H2809 and Israel H3478 said H559 unto him, Let us pass, H5674 we pray thee, through thy land H776 into H5704 my place. H4725 But Sihon H5511 trusted H539 not Israel H3478 to pass H5674 through his coast: H1366 but Sihon H5511 gathered H622 all his people H5971 together, H622 and pitched H2583 in Jahaz, H3096 and fought H3898 against Israel. H3478 And the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 delivered H5414 Sihon H5511 and all his people H5971 into the hand H3027 of Israel, H3478 and they smote H5221 them: so Israel H3478 possessed H3423 all the land H776 of the Amorites, H567 the inhabitants H3427 of that country. H776 And they possessed H3423 all the coasts H1366 of the Amorites, H567 from Arnon H769 even unto Jabbok, H2999 and from the wilderness H4057 even unto Jordan. H3383 So now the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 hath dispossessed H3423 the Amorites H567 from before H6440 his people H5971 Israel, H3478 and shouldest thou possess H3423 it? Wilt not thou possess H3423 that which Chemosh H3645 thy god H430 giveth thee to possess? H3423 So whomsoever the LORD H3068 our God H430 shall drive out H3423 from before H6440 us, them will we possess. H3423 And now art thou any thing better H2896 than Balak H1111 the son H1121 of Zippor, H6834 king H4428 of Moab? H4124 did he ever H7378 strive H7378 against Israel, H3478 or did he ever H3898 fight H3898 against them, While Israel H3478 dwelt H3427 in Heshbon H2809 and her towns, H1323 and in Aroer H6177 and her towns, H1323 and in all the cities H5892 that be along by the coasts H3027 of Arnon, H769 three H7969 hundred H3967 years? H8141 why therefore did ye not recover H5337 them within that time? H6256 Wherefore I have not sinned H2398 against thee, but thou doest H6213 H853 me wrong H7451 to war H3898 against me: the LORD H3068 the Judge H8199 be judge H8199 this day H3117 between the children H1121 of Israel H3478 and the children H1121 of Ammon. H5983 Howbeit the king H4428 of the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 hearkened H8085 not unto the words H1697 of Jephthah H3316 which he sent H7971 him.

1 Samuel 11:1-3 STRONG

Then Nahash H5176 the Ammonite H5984 came up, H5927 and encamped H2583 against Jabeshgilead: H3003 H1568 and all the men H582 of Jabesh H3003 said H559 unto Nahash, H5176 Make H3772 a covenant H1285 with us, and we will serve H5647 thee. And Nahash H5176 the Ammonite H5984 answered H559 them, On this H2063 condition will I make H3772 a covenant with you, that I may thrust out H5365 all your right H3225 eyes, H5869 and lay H7760 it for a reproach H2781 upon all Israel. H3478 And the elders H2205 of Jabesh H3003 said H559 unto him, Give us seven H7651 days' H3117 respite, H7503 that we may send H7971 messengers H4397 unto all the coasts H1366 of Israel: H3478 and then, if there be no man to save H3467 us, we will come out H3318 to thee.

1 Chronicles 19:1-19 STRONG

Now it came to pass after this, H310 that Nahash H5176 the king H4428 of the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 died, H4191 and his son H1121 reigned H4427 in his stead. And David H1732 said, H559 I will shew H6213 kindness H2617 unto Hanun H2586 the son H1121 of Nahash, H5176 because his father H1 shewed H6213 kindness H2617 to me. And David H1732 sent H7971 messengers H4397 to comfort H5162 him concerning his father. H1 So the servants H5650 of David H1732 came H935 into the land H776 of the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 to Hanun, H2586 to comfort H5162 him. But the princes H8269 of the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 said H559 to Hanun, H2586 Thinkest H5869 thou that David H1732 doth honour H3513 thy father, H1 that he hath sent H7971 comforters H5162 unto thee? are not his servants H5650 come H935 unto thee for to search, H2713 and to overthrow, H2015 and to spy out H7270 the land? H776 Wherefore Hanun H2586 took H3947 David's H1732 servants, H5650 and shaved H1548 them, and cut off H3772 their garments H4063 in the midst H2677 hard by their buttocks, H4667 and sent them away. H7971 Then there went H3212 certain, and told H5046 David H1732 how the men H582 were served. And he sent H7971 to meet H7125 them: for the men H582 were greatly H3966 ashamed. H3637 And the king H4428 said, H559 Tarry H3427 at Jericho H3405 until your beards H2206 be grown, H6779 and then return. H7725 And when the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 saw H7200 that they had made themselves odious H887 to David, H1732 Hanun H2586 and the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 sent H7971 a thousand H505 talents H3603 of silver H3701 to hire H7936 them chariots H7393 and horsemen H6571 out of Mesopotamia, H763 and out of Syriamaachah, H758 H4601 and out of Zobah. H6678 So they hired H7936 thirty H7970 and two H8147 thousand H505 chariots, H7393 and the king H4428 of Maachah H4601 and his people; H5971 who came H935 and pitched H2583 before H6440 Medeba. H4311 And the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 gathered themselves together H622 from their cities, H5892 and came H935 to battle. H4421 And when David H1732 heard H8085 of it, he sent H7971 Joab, H3097 and all the host H6635 of the mighty men. H1368 And the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 came out, H3318 and put the battle H4421 in array H6186 before the gate H6607 of the city: H5892 and the kings H4428 that were come H935 were by themselves in the field. H7704 Now when Joab H3097 saw H7200 that the battle H4421 was set against him before H6440 and behind, H268 he chose out H977 of all the choice H977 of Israel, H3478 and put them in array H6186 against H7125 the Syrians. H758 And the rest H3499 of the people H5971 he delivered H5414 unto the hand H3027 of Abishai H52 his brother, H251 and they set themselves in array H6186 against H7125 the children H1121 of Ammon. H5983 And he said, H559 If the Syrians H758 be too strong H2388 for me, then thou shalt help H8668 me: but if the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 be too strong H2388 for thee, then I will help H3467 thee. Be of good courage, H2388 and let us behave ourselves valiantly H2388 for our people, H5971 and for the cities H5892 of our God: H430 and let the LORD H3068 do H6213 that which is good H2896 in his sight. H5869 So Joab H3097 and the people H5971 that were with him drew nigh H5066 before H6440 the Syrians H758 unto the battle; H4421 and they fled H5127 before H6440 him. And when the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 saw H7200 that the Syrians H758 were fled, H5127 they likewise fled H5127 before H6440 Abishai H52 his brother, H251 and entered H935 into the city. H5892 Then Joab H3097 came H935 to Jerusalem. H3389 And when the Syrians H758 saw H7200 that they were put to the worse H5062 before H6440 Israel, H3478 they sent H7971 messengers, H4397 and drew forth H3318 the Syrians H758 that were beyond H5676 the river: H5104 and Shophach H7780 the captain H8269 of the host H6635 of Hadarezer H1928 went before H6440 them. And it was told H5046 David; H1732 and he gathered H622 all Israel, H3478 and passed over H5674 Jordan, H3383 and came H935 upon them, and set the battle in array H6186 against them. So when David H1732 had put the battle H4421 in array H6186 against H7125 the Syrians, H758 they fought H3898 with him. But the Syrians H758 fled H5127 before H6440 Israel; H3478 and David H1732 slew H2026 of the Syrians H758 seven H7651 thousand H505 men which fought in chariots, H7393 and forty H705 thousand H505 footmen, H376 H7273 and killed H4191 Shophach H7780 the captain H8269 of the host. H6635 And when the servants H5650 of Hadarezer H1928 saw H7200 that they were put to the worse H5062 before H6440 Israel, H3478 they made peace H7999 with David, H1732 and became his servants: H5647 neither would H14 the Syrians H758 help H3467 the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 any more.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Samuel 10

Commentary on 2 Samuel 10 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 10

This chapter gives us an account of a war David has with the Ammonites and the Syrians their allies, with the occasion and success of it.

  • I. David sent a friendly embassy to Hanun king of the Ammonites (v. 1, 2).
  • II. He, upon a base surmise that it was ill intended, abused David's ambassadors (v. 3, 4).
  • III. David resenting it (v. 5), and the Ammonites prepared for war against him (v. 6).
  • IV. David carried the war into their country, sent against them. Joab and Abishai, who addressed themselves to the battle with a great deal of conduct and bravery (v. 7-12).
  • V. The Ammonites, and the Syrians their allies, were totally routed (v. 13, 14).
  • VI. The forces of the Syrians, which rallied again, were a second time defeated (v. 15-19). Thus did David advance his own reputation for gratitude, in returning kindness, and for justice, in repaying injuries.

2Sa 10:1-5

Here is,

  • I. The great respect David paid to his neighbour, the king of the Ammonites, v. 1, 2.
    • 1. The inducement to it was some kindness he had formerly received from Nahash the deceased king. He showed kindness to me, says David (v. 2), and therefore (having lately had satisfaction in showing kindness to Mephibosheth for his father's sake) he resolves to show kindness to his son, and to keep up a friendly correspondence with him. Thus the pleasure of doing one kind and generous action should excite us to another. Nahash had been an enemy to Israel, a cruel enemy (1 Sa. 11:2), and yet had shown kindness to David, perhaps only in contradiction to Saul, who was unkind to him: however, if David receives kindness, he is not nice in examining the grounds and principles of it, but resolves gratefully to return it. If a Pharisee give alms in pride, though God will not reward him, yet he that receives the alms ought to return thanks for it. God knows the heart, but we do not.
    • 2. The particular instance of respect was sending an embassy to condole with him on his father's death, as is common among princes in alliance with each other: David sent to comfort him. Note, It is a comfort to children, when their parents are dead, to find that their parents' friends are theirs, and that they intend to keep up an acquaintance with them. It is a comfort to mourners to find that there are those who mourn with them, are sensible of their loss and share with them in it. It is a comfort to those who are honouring the memory of their deceased relations to find there are others who likewise honour it and who had a value for those whom they valued.
  • II. The great affront which Hanun the king of the Ammonites put upon David in his ambassadors.
    • 1. He hearkened to the spiteful suggestions of his princes, who insinuated that David's ambassadors, under pretence of being comforters, were sent as spies, v. 3. False men are ready to think others as false as themselves; and those that bear ill-will to their neighbours are resolved not to believe that their neighbours bear any good-will to them. They would not thus have imagined that David dissembled but that they were conscious to themselves that they could have dissembled, to serve a turn. Unfounded suspicion argues a wicked mind. Bishop Patrick's note on this is that "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.' Men of the greatest honour and virtue must not think it strange if they be thus misrepresented. Charity thinketh no evil.
    • 2. Entertaining this vile suggestion, he basely abused David's ambassadors, like a man of a sordid villainous spirit, that was fitter to rake a kennel than to wear a crown. If he had any reason to suspect that David's messengers came on a bad design, he would have done prudently enough to be upon the reserve with them, and to dismiss them as soon as he could; but it is plain he only sought an occasion to put the utmost disgrace he could upon them, out of an antipathy to their king and their country. They were themselves men of honour, and much more so as they represented the prince that sent them; they and their reputation were under the special protection of the law of nations; they put a confidence in the Ammonites, and came among them unarmed; yet Hanun used them like rogues and vagabonds, and worse, shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the midst, to expose them to the contempt and ridicule of his servants, that they might make sport with them and that these men might seem vile.
  • III. David's tender concern for his servants that were thus abused. He sent to meet them, and to let them know how much he interested himself in their quarrel and how soon he would avenge it, and directed them to stay at Jericho, a private place, where they would not have occasion to come into company, till that half of their beards which was shaved off had grown to such a length that the other half might be decently cut to it, v. 5. The Jews wore their beards long, reckoning it an honour to appear aged and grave; and therefore it was not fit that persons of their rank and figure should appear at court unlike their neighbours. Change of raiment, it is likely, they had with them, to put on, instead of that which was cut off; but the loss of their beards would not be so soon repaired; yet in time these would grow again, and all would be well. Let us learn not to lay too much to heart unjust reproaches; after awhile they will wear off of themselves, and turn only to the shame of their authors, while the injured reputation in a little time grows again, as these beards did. God will bring forth thy righteousness as the light, therefore wait patiently for him, Ps. 37:6, 7.

Some have thought that David, in the indignity he received from the king of Ammon, was but well enough served for courting and complimenting that pagan prince, whom he knew to be an inveterate enemy to Israel, and might now remember how, when he would have put out the right eyes of the men of Jabesh-Gilead, he designed that, as he did this, for a reproach upon all Israel, 1 Sam. 11:2. What better usage could he expect from such a spiteful family and people? Why should he covet the friendship of a people whom Israel must have so little to do with as that an Ammonite might not enter into the congregation of the Lord, even to the tenth generation? Deu. 23:3.

2Sa 10:6-14

Here we have,

  • I. The preparation which the Ammonites made for war, v. 6. They saw they had made themselves very odious to David and obnoxious to his just displeasure. This they might easily have foreseen when they abused his ambassadors, which was no other than a challenge to war, and a bold defiance of him. Yet, it seems, they had not considered how unable they were, with their thousands, to meet his; for now they found themselves an unequal match, and were forced to hire forces of other nations into their service. Thus sinners daringly provoke God, and expose themselves to his wrath, and never consider that he is stronger than they, 1 Co. 10:22. The Ammonites gave the affront first, and they were the first that raised forces to justify it. Had they humbled themselves, and begged David's pardon, probably an honorary satisfaction might have atoned for the offence. But, when they were thus desperately resolved to stand by what they had done, they courted their own ruin.
  • II. The speedy descent which David's forces made upon them, v. 7. When David heard of their military preparations, he sent Joab with a great army to attack them, v. 7. Those that are at war with the Son of David not only give the provocation, but begin the war; for he waits to be gracious, but they strengthen themselves against him, and therefore, if they turn not, he will whet his sword, Ps. 7:12. God has forces to send against those that set his wrath at defiance (Isa. 5:19), which will convince them, when it is too late, that none ever hardened his heart against God and prospered. It was David's prudence to carry the war into their country, and fight them at the entering in of the gate of their capital city, Rabbah, as some think, or Medeba, a city in their borders, before which they pitched to guard their coast, 1 Chr. 19:7. Such are the terrors and desolations of war that every good prince will, in love to his people, keep it as much as may be at a distance from them.
  • III. Preparations made on both sides for an engagement.
    • 1. The enemy disposed themselves into two bodies, one of Ammonites, which, being their own, were posted at the gate of the city; the other of Syrians, whom they had taken into their pay, and who were therefore posted at a distance in the field, to charge the forces of Israel in the flank or rear, while the Ammonites charged them in the front, v. 8.
    • 2. Joab, like a wise general, was soon aware of the design, and accordingly divided his forces: the choicest men he took under his own command, to fight the Syrians, whom probably he knew to be the better soldiers, and, being hired men, better versed in the arts of war, v. 9. The rest of the forces he put under the command of Abishai his brother, to engage the Ammonites, v. 10. It should seem, Joab found the enemy so well prepared to receive them that his conduct and courage were never so tried as now.
  • IV. Joab's speech before the battle, v. 11, 12. It is not long, but pertinent, and brave.
    • 1. He prudently concerts the matter with Abishai his brother, that the dividing of the forces might not be the weakening of them, but that, which part soever was borne hard upon, the other should come in to its assistance. He supposes the worst, that one of them should be obliged to give back; and in that case, upon a signal given, the other should send a detachment to relieve it. Note, Mutual helpfulness is brotherly duty. If occasion be, thou shalt help me, and I will help thee. Christ's soldiers should thus strengthen one another's hands in their spiritual warfare. The strong must succour and help the weak. Those that through grace are conquerors over temptation must counsel, and comfort, and pray for, those that are tempted. When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren, Lu. 22:32. The members of the natural body help one another, 1 Co. 12:21.
    • 2. He bravely encourages himself, and his brother, and the rest of the officers and soldiers, to do their utmost. Great dangers put an edge upon true courage. When Joab saw the front of the battle was against him, both before and behind, instead of giving orders to make an honourable retreat, he animated his men to charge so much more furiously: Be of good courage and let us play the men, not for pay and preferment, for honour and fame, but for our people, and for the cities of our God, for the public safety and welfare, in which the glory of God is so much interested. God and our country was the word. "Let us be valiant, from a principle of love to Israel, that are our people, descended from the same stock, for whom we are employed, and in whose peace we shall have peace; and from a principle of love to God, for they are his cities that we are fighting in the defence of.' The relation which any person or thing stands in to God should endear it to us, and engage us to do our utmost in its service.
    • 3. He piously leaves the issue with God: "When we have done our part, according to the duty of our place, let the Lord do that which seemeth to him good.' Let nothing be wanting in us, whatever the success be; let God's work be done by us, and then God's will be done concerning us. When we make conscience of doing our duty we may, with the greatest satisfaction, leave the event with God, not thinking that our valour binds him to prosper us, but that still he may do as he pleases, yet hoping for his salvation in his own way and time.
  • V. The victory Joab obtained over the confederate forces of Syria and Ammon, v. 13, 14. He provided for the worst, and put the case that the Syrians and Ammonites might prove too strong for him (v. 11), but he proved too strong for them both. We do not hinder our success by preparing for disappointment. The Syrians were first routed by Joab, and then the Ammonites by Abishai; the Ammonites seem not to have fought at all, but, upon the retreat of the Syrians, to have fled into the city. It is a temptation to soldiers to fly when they have a city at their backs to fly to. It is one thing when men may either fight or fly and another thing when they must either fight or die.

2Sa 10:15-19

Here is,

  • 1. A new attempt of the Syrians to recover their lost honour and to check the progress of David's victorious arms. The forces that were lately dispersed rallied again, and gathered themselves together, v. 15. 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, Matt 22:34; Rev. 19:19. These, being conscious of their insufficiency, called in the aid of their allies and dependencies on the other side of the river (v. 16), and, being thus recruited, they hoped to make their part good against Israel, but they knew not the thoughts of the Lord, for he gathered them as sheaves into the floor; see Mic. 4:11-13.
  • 2. The defeat of this attempt by the vigilance and valour of David, who, upon notice of their design, resolved not to stay till they attacked him, but went in person at the head of his army over Jordan (v. 17), and, in a pitched battle, routed the Syrians (v. 18), slew 7000 men, who belonged to 700 chariots, and 40,000 other soldiers, horse and foot, as appears by comparing 1 Chr. 19:18. Their general was killed in the battle, and David came home in triumph, no doubt.
  • 3. The consequence of this victory over the Syrians.
    • (1.) David gained several tributaries, v. 19. The kings, or petty princes, that had been subject to Hadarezer, when they saw how powerful David was, very wisely made peace with Israel, whom they found they could not make war with, and served them, since they were able to give them protection. Thus the promise made to Abraham (Gen. 15:18), and repeated to Joshua (ch. 1:4), that the borders of Israel should extend to the river Euphrates, was performed, at length.
    • (2.) The Ammonites lost their old allies: The Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon, not because they had an unrighteous cause (justifying a crime which was a breach of the law of nations), but because they found it was an unsuccessful cause. It is dangerous helping those that have God against them; for, when they fall, their helpers will fall with them.

Jesus Christ, the Son of David, sent his ambassadors, his apostles and ministers, after all his servants the prophets, to the Jewish church and nation; but they treated them shamefully, as Hanun did David's ambassadors, mocked them, abused them, slew them; and it was this that filled the measure of their iniquity, and brought upon them ruin without remedy (Mt. 21:35, 41, 22:7; compare 2 Chr. 26:16); for Christ takes the affronts and injuries done to his ministers as done to himself and will avenge them accordingly.