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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Chronicles 19:6 - 19:15
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Defeat of the Ammonites
v. 6. And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, that they were a stench in his nostrils on account of their unprovoked treatment of his ambassadors, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver (almost $2,000,000) to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, beyond the Euphrates, and out of Syria-maachah, north of Gilead and Bozrah, in the country east of Jordan, and out of Zobah, north or northeast of Damascus.
v. 7. So they, the representatives of the Ammonites, hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people, who came and pitched before Medeba, a city of the tribe of Reuben, about nine miles southeast of Heshbon. The mercenary troops were such as could fight on horseback as well as in chariots, experienced in both forms of battle. And the children of Ammon, whose territory was somewhat farther to the east, gathered themselves together from their cities and came to battle, ready either for defensive or offensive work.
v. 8. And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men, the entire army of Israel's military forces.
v. 9. And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: before their capital, Rabbah, the forts of the city thus serving to cover their rear. And the kings that were come were by themselves in the field; the mercenaries did not effect a union with the army of the Ammonites, but prepared to attack the forces of Israel from the north, from the flank or the rear.
v. 10. Now, when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, the Ammonites facing him, and the Syrians threatening him from the rear, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, from the number of the most valiant veterans, and put them in array against the Syrians, the more numerous and formidable enemies.
v. 11. And the rest of the people, the remainder of his army, he delivered unto the hand of Abishai, his brother, and they set themselves in array, they arranged themselves in battle order, against the children of Ammon, the weaker foe.
v. 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, thus arranging for mutual assistance.
v. 13. Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, for very much depends upon the attitude of the leader in all great crises, and for the cities of our God, which would have been in danger of capture and destruction in case the enemies had gained the victory; and let the Lord do that which is good in His sight. This is the trust which should characterize all Christians. After they have done all that is in their power, and if they are straining all their strength, they may leave the success of their efforts to the Lord in prayerful confidence.
v. 14. So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.
v. 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, they took refuge behind the strong walls of their capital, Rabbah. Then Joab came to Jerusalem, reserving the capture of the Ammonite capital for a later season. It is an easy matter for the Lord to grant the victory to the weaker side if thereby His plans are promoted.