7 And when David H1732 heard H8085 of it, he sent H7971 Joab, H3097 and all the host H6635 of the mighty men. H1368
These be the names H8034 of the mighty men H1368 whom David H1732 had: The Tachmonite H8461 that sat H3427 in the seat, H7675 H3429 chief H7218 among the captains; H7991 the same was Adino H5722 the Eznite: H6112 he lift up his spear against eight H8083 hundred, H3967 whom he slew H2491 at one H259 time. H6471 And after H310 him was Eleazar H499 the son H1121 of Dodo H1734 the Ahohite, H266 one of the three H7969 mighty men H1368 with David, H1732 when they defied H2778 the Philistines H6430 that were there gathered together H622 to battle, H4421 and the men H376 of Israel H3478 were gone away: H5927 He arose, H6965 and smote H5221 the Philistines H6430 until H3588 his hand H3027 was weary, H3021 and his hand H3027 clave H1692 unto the sword: H2719 and the LORD H3068 wrought H6213 a great H1419 victory H8668 that day; H3117 and the people H5971 returned H7725 after H310 him only to spoil. H6584 And after H310 him was Shammah H8048 the son H1121 of Agee H89 the Hararite. H2043 And the Philistines H6430 were gathered together H622 into a troop, H2416 where was a piece H2513 of ground H7704 full H4392 of lentiles: H5742 and the people H5971 fled H5127 from H6440 the Philistines. H6430 But he stood H3320 in the midst H8432 of the ground, H2513 and defended H5337 it, and slew H5221 the Philistines: H6430 and the LORD H3068 wrought H6213 a great H1419 victory. H8668 And three H7969 H7970 of the thirty H7970 chief H7218 went down, H3381 and came H935 to David H1732 in the harvest time H7105 unto the cave H4631 of Adullam: H5725 and the troop H2416 of the Philistines H6430 pitched H2583 in the valley H6010 of Rephaim. H7497 And David H1732 was then in an hold, H4686 and the garrison H4673 of the Philistines H6430 was then in Bethlehem. H1035 And David H1732 longed, H183 and said, H559 Oh that one would give me drink H8248 of the water H4325 of the well H953 of Bethlehem, H1035 which is by the gate! H8179 And the three H7969 mighty men H1368 brake through H1234 the host H4264 of the Philistines, H6430 and drew H7579 water H4325 out of the well H953 of Bethlehem, H1035 that was by the gate, H8179 and took H5375 it, and brought H935 it to David: H1732 nevertheless he would H14 not drink H8354 thereof, but poured it out H5258 unto the LORD. H3068 And he said, H559 Be it far H2486 from me, O LORD, H3068 that I should do H6213 this: is not this the blood H1818 of the men H582 that went H1980 in jeopardy of their lives? H5315 therefore he would H14 not drink H8354 it. These things did H6213 these three H7969 mighty men. H1368 And Abishai, H52 the brother H251 of Joab, H3097 the son H1121 of Zeruiah, H6870 was chief H7218 among three. H7992 And he lifted up H5782 his spear H2595 against three H7969 hundred, H3967 and slew H2491 them, and had the name H8034 among three. H7969 Was he not most honourable H3513 of three? H7969 therefore he was their captain: H8269 howbeit he attained H935 not unto the first three. H7969 And Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada, H3077 the son H1121 of a valiant H2428 man, H376 H381 of Kabzeel, H6909 who had done many H7227 acts, H6467 he slew H5221 two H8147 lionlike men H739 of Moab: H4124 he went down H3381 also and slew H5221 a lion H738 in the midst H8432 of a pit H953 in time H3117 of snow: H7950 And he slew H2026 an Egyptian, H4713 a goodly H4758 man: H376 and the Egyptian H4713 had a spear H2595 in his hand; H3027 but he went down H3381 to him with a staff, H7626 and plucked H1497 the spear H2595 out of the Egyptian's H4713 hand, H3027 and slew H5221 him with his own spear. H2595 These things did H6213 Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada, H3077 and had the name H8034 among three H7969 mighty men. H1368 He was more honourable H3513 than the thirty, H7970 but he attained H935 not to the first three. H7969 And David H1732 set H7760 him over his guard. H4928 Asahel H6214 the brother H251 of Joab H3097 was one of the thirty; H7970 Elhanan H445 the son H1121 of Dodo H1734 of Bethlehem, H1035 Shammah H8048 the Harodite, H2733 Elika H470 the Harodite, H2733 Helez H2503 the Paltite, H6407 Ira H5896 the son H1121 of Ikkesh H6142 the Tekoite, H8621 Abiezer H44 the Anethothite, H6069 Mebunnai H4012 the Hushathite, H2843 Zalmon H6756 the Ahohite, H266 Maharai H4121 the Netophathite, H5200 Heleb H2460 the son H1121 of Baanah, H1196 a Netophathite, H5200 Ittai H863 the son H1121 of Ribai H7380 out of Gibeah H1390 of the children H1121 of Benjamin, H1144 Benaiah H1141 the Pirathonite, H6553 Hiddai H1914 of the brooks H5158 of Gaash, H1608 Abialbon H45 the Arbathite, H6164 Azmaveth H5820 the Barhumite, H1273 Eliahba H455 the Shaalbonite, H8170 of the sons H1121 of Jashen, H3464 Jonathan, H3083 Shammah H8048 the Hararite, H2043 Ahiam H279 the son H1121 of Sharar H8325 the Hararite, H2043 Eliphelet H467 the son H1121 of Ahasbai, H308 the son H1121 of the Maachathite, H4602 Eliam H463 the son H1121 of Ahithophel H302 the Gilonite, H1526 Hezrai H2695 the Carmelite, H3761 Paarai H6474 the Arbite, H701 Igal H3008 the son H1121 of Nathan H5416 of Zobah, H6678 Bani H1137 the Gadite, H1425 Zelek H6768 the Ammonite, H5984 Naharai H5171 the Beerothite, H886 armourbearer H5375 H3627 to Joab H3097 the son H1121 of Zeruiah, H6870 Ira H5896 an Ithrite, H3505 Gareb H1619 an Ithrite, H3505 Uriah H223 the Hittite: H2850 thirty H7970 and seven H7651 in all.
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 » John Gill's Exposition of the Bible » Commentary on 2 Samuel 10
Commentary on 2 Samuel 10 John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
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, 2 Samuel 10:1; 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, 2 Samuel 10:6; who divided the army between them, and attacked the Ammonites and Syrians with great courage, and routed them both, and returned to Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 10:9; 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, 2 Samuel 10:15.
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, after related; by which it appears what is said concerning the spoils of the children of Ammon, 2 Samuel 8:12, is by anticipation; for these spoils were not taken until the following war with them, the occasion of which is here told:
that the king of the children of Ammon died; whose name was Nahash, as is clear from 2 Samuel 10:2, and probably might be the same that came against Jabeshgilead, from whom Saul delivered the inhabitants of that place, 1 Samuel 11:1,
and Hanun his son reigned in his stead; who, being his son, was heir to his crown, and succeeded him in his kingdom.
Then said David, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash,.... Send him a friendly compliment of condolence on the death of his father:
as his father showed kindness unto me; when David was persecuted by Saul, he sent him aid, and invited him into his country for protection it may be, and some way or other showed respect unto him; though not out of real love and friendship to David, but in enmity to Saul, who had defeated him at Jabeshgilead, and had often wars with him: the Jews sayF15Tanchuma apud Jarchium in loc. the particular kindness was, that when David left his father, mother, and brethren, with the king of Moab, he slew all but one, who fled to the king of the children of Ammon, and was by him saved alive:
and David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father; 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:
and David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon; even to Rabbah, the metropolis of the nation, and the royal city, where the king kept his court.
And the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord,.... His nobles and prime ministers, the courtiers that were about him:
thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? could he imagine that David was sincere, and that he really meant to do honour to the memory of his father, and comfort him under the loss of him, by sending his ambassadors to him on such an errand? there was no reason, they thought, to believe this, since an Israelite was forbidden to seek their peace and prosperity, or ask of it, nor might Ammonite enter into their congregation unto the tenth generation, Deuteronomy 23:3; and indeed some have thought that David did not do a right thing in sending this embassy, and was justly requited; but it is certain he acted according to the laws of friendship, and was cordial and sincere in what he did, though these courtiers of Hanun put an ill construction on his conduct, their minds being filled with enmity against the Israelites:
hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee to search the city,
and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? to reconnoitre the place, to observe, as they walked about in it, which were the weakest and most defenceless parts of it, and what avenues there were to it, and which were most accessible, that they might the better know how to attack it, and destroy it; these surmises and suspicions they endeavoured to fill the king's head with, to set him against them, and treat them ill.
Wherefore Hanun took David's servants,.... His ambassadors:
and shaved off one half of their beards; that is, he ordered them to be shaved off; than which a greater indignity could not have been well done to them and to David, whom they represented, since the Israelites shaved not their beards, and were very careful of preserving them; for had it been the custom to shave, they might have shaved off the other half, and then they would not have appeared so ridiculous; and with other people it has been reckoned a very great punishment as well could be inflicted, and as great an affront as could well be offered, to mar a man's beard, or shave it off in whole or in partF16Apollon. Vit. Philostrat. l. 7. c. 14. . The Lacedemonians, as PlutarchF17In Agesitao. relates, when any fled from battle, used, by way of reproach, to shave off part of their beards, and let the other part grow long; and with the Indians, as Bishop Patrick observes from an ancient writer, the king used to order the greatest offenders to be shaven, as the heaviest punishment he could inflict upon them; but what comes nearest to the case here is what the same learned commentator quotes from Tavernier, who in his Indian Travels tells us, that the sophi of Persia caused an ambassador of Aurengzeb to have his beard shaved off, telling him he was not worthy to wear a beard, and thereupon commanded it should be shaved off; which affront offered him in the person of his ambassador was most highly resented by Aurengzeb, as this was by David:
and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks; and as they wore long garments in those countries, without any breeches or drawers under them, those parts by these means were exposed to view which modesty requires should be concealedF18"Dimidiasque nates Gallica palla tegit". Martial. ; so that they must be put to the utmost shame and confusion:
and sent them away; in this ridiculous manner, scoffing and leering at them no doubt; that since they came with compliments of condolence, it was proper they should appear in the habit of mourners, with their beards shaved, and their garments rent; cutting of garments, and standing in them from morning tonight, was a punishment of soldiers with the Romans, when they offendedF19Valer. Maxim. l. 2. c. 2. .
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 of the usage they had met with:
he sent to meet them: he sent men to meet them with proper garments to put on, and to assure them how much he resented the indignity done to them and him, and would avenge it in due and proper time, and to direct them where to go for the present, as follows:
because the men were greatly ashamed: to proceed on their journey, and come to court in the condition they were:
and the king said; gave orders by the messengers he sent to them:
tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, or "bud"F20יצמח "germinet", Pagninus, Montanus. :
and then return; that is, to Jerusalem; Jericho, though not yet built, might have some cottages at or near the spot on which it had stood, for the convenience of shepherds, and gatherers of fruit, in the plains of it; here the ambassadors were directed to go, it being the first place they came to when they had passed over Jordan, from the country of Ammon; and being a place where there were scarcely any inhabitants, or very few, was very proper for them in their present circumstances; and this confirms what is before observed, that it was now the custom of the Israelites not to shave their whole beards; or otherwise it was but shaving off the other half, and being now provided with other clothes, they would have had no need to have stayed at Jericho, but might have proceeded on in their journey.
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David,.... Or had made themselves odious to him, as it is rendered in 1 Chronicles 19:6; were abominable to him, that he was incensed against them, and enraged at them, and was determined to be avenged on them for the affront given, of which they had certain information: but instead of seeking to appease him, and give him satisfaction for the affront:
the children of Ammon sent, and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob; a place near Hamath, Numbers 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, Joshua 19:28,
and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen: that is, out of both places; this place Hadadezer was king of, 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, 2 Samuel 8:3,
and of King Maacah a thousand men; that is, of the king of Maacah, which was a place in the tribe off Manasseh, from whence the inhabitants could not be expelled, Joshua 13:11; and seems now to have been inhabited by Syrians, and therefore is called Syriamaachah, 1 Chronicles 19:6,
and of Ishtob twelve thousand men; which is thought to be the same with the land of Tob, whither Jephthah fled, and dwelt in it, when ill used by his brethren, Judges 11:3; these mercenary soldiers were in all thirty three thousand men; 1 Chronicles 19:6, it is said, chariots and horsemen, even thirty two thousand; these were hired with a thousand talents of silver.
And when David heard of it,.... Of the preparation made by the Ammonites to fight with him:
he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men: he sent out Joab his general, and an army under his command, consisting of men of strength, valour, and courage; or all the host and the mighty men, as Kimchi and Ben Melech, the famous mighty men mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:8; he did not think it advisable to wait for the Ammonites, but carried the war into their own country, and, instead of suffering them to invade his dominions, he invaded theirs.
And the children of Ammon came out,.... Either out of Rabbah their metropolis, as JosephusF21Antiqu. l. 7. c. 6. sect. 2. ; or rather out of Medeba, as it seems from 1 Chronicles 19:7; a city that lay on the borders of their country, and was a frontier town, see Numbers 21:30;
and put the battle in array, at the entering in of the gate; of the city of Medeba; they were first within the city, but, upon the approach of Joab and his army, they came out and drew up in a line of battle at the gate of it:
and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field; at some distance from the city, the Ammonites not choosing to trust: mercenaries in it; and perhaps they placed these ambush in the field, to get Joab between two fires, as we now express it.
When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind,.... Or "the face" of itF23פני "facies", Pagninus, Montanus. ; armies appeared both before and behind, about to attack him both in front and rear; the Targum is,"and Joab saw that the warriors, or those that made war, were strong against him before and behind:"
he chose of all the choice men of Israel; the most eminent for strength, and valour, and military skill, who had been tried, and were famous for warlike exploits, the flower of the army:
and put them in array against the Syrians; who might be the strongest party, and the best soldiers; though being but mercenaries, if hard beset, would sooner give way, as he might suppose, upon which the Ammonites would do the same.
And the rest of the people he delivered into the hands of Abishai his brother,.... Who was a commander under him, and a very valiant man; and thus, as his enemy had two armies, he divided his into two parts, that he might the better attack them:
that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon: draw them up in a line, place them rank and file to meet the children of Ammon, and give them battle.
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
then thou shall help me; detach a part of his army to his support and assistance:
but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee; in the same manner.
Be of good courage, and let us play the men,.... 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 them to animate them to light:
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 Heathens, and where temples would be erected to idols, and the worship of them; these were the arguments he used to engage them to fight manfully for their country, the liberties and religion of it:
and the Lord do that which seemeth him good: tacitly 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.
And 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; and the fight, according to JosephusF24Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 6. sect. 2.) , lasted some little time, who says, that Joab killed many of them, and obliged the rest to turn their backs and flee, as follows:
and they fled before him: the Syriac and Arabic versions in this verse, and in all others in this chapter where the word "Syrians" is used, have "Edomites", reading "Edom" instead of "Aram", the letters ר "R" and ד "D" in the Hebrew tongue being very similar.
And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled,.... In whom they put great confidence:
then they fled also before Abishai; without engaging at all with him, as it seems:
and entered into the city; out of which they came, either Rabbah or Medeba, for their safety:
so Joab returned from the children of Ammon; did not stay to lay siege to their city, the season of the year not being proper for it, winter drawing near; see 2 Samuel 11:1,
and came to Jerusalem; in triumph, to report to David the victory he had obtained.
And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel,.... Considered it in their minds, and conversed with one another about it, and fearing what would be the consequence of it:
they gathered themselves together; not only the forces got together again, that fled before Joab, but all the kings of Syria united their forces together, as appears from 2 Samuel 10:19; supposing that David would avenge himself on them for assisting the Ammonites against him; and therefore judged it advisable to raise a large army, that they might be in a condition to receive him.
And Hadarezer sent,.... The same with Hadadezer, 2 Samuel 8:3, who was at the head of this confederacy, and to whom the rest of the kings of Syria were servants, 2 Samuel 10:19,
and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river; the river Phrat or Euphrates, as the Targum; so the Arabic version and JosephusF25Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 6.) sect. 3. , who says, that he hired them:
and they came to Helam; which, according to the same writer, was king of the Syrians beyond Euphrates; but it seems to be the name of a place, where was the general rendezvous of the Syrian army. Junius conjectures that it is the same with the Alamatha of PtolemyF26Geograph. l. 5. c. 15. , which he places with the Trachonite Arabs near the Euphrates:
and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them: before the whole combined army, which according to JosephusF1Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 6. sect. 3.) , consisted of eighty thousand foot, and ten thousand horse: this general is called Shophach, 1 Chronicles 19:16 the letters "B" and "P" being of the same pronunciation in the Hebrew tongue, as Kimchi observes, though it is there read "Shobach", in the Syriac and Arabic versions; he was no doubt a very able, valiant, and skilful general, since he is particularly mentioned by name, and whose name was then famous; the Arabic version calls him a spear bearer of Hadarezer.
And when it was told David,.... What preparations the Syrians were making to fight him, and where they were:
he gathered all Israel together; all the fighting men in the country:
and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam: which, according to BuntingF2Travels, &c. p. 140,141. , was twenty miles from Jerusalem. David seems to have gone himself in person to this war:
and 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.
And the Syrians fled before Israel,.... After an obstinate and bloody fight between them:
and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians; the word "men" is rightly supplied, for chariots could not be said to be slain, but the men in them; in 1 Chronicles 19:17, they are said to be seven thousand, here seven hundred; which may be reconciled by observing, that here the chariots that held the men are numbered, there the number of the men that were in the chariots given, and reckoning ten men in a chariot, seven hundred chariots held just seven thousand men; though Kimchi takes another way of reconciling the two places, by observing that here only the choicest chariots are mentioned, there all of them, but the former way seems best:
and forty thousand horsemen; in 1 Chronicles 19:17; it is forty thousand "footmen", and so JosephusF3Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 6. sect. 3.) ; and the same may be called both horse and foot, be cause though they might come into the field of battle on horseback, yet might dismount and fight on foot; and so one historian calls them horsemen, and the other footmen; or the whole number of the slain, horse and foot mixed together, were forty thousand; Kimchi makes use of another way of removing this difficulty, and which perhaps is the best, that here only the horsemen are numbered that were slain, and there the footmen only, and both true; an equal number of each being slain, in all eighty thousand, besides the seven thousand in the chariots:
and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there; of his wounds upon the spot.
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.