Paul Kretzmann Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:6 - 10:14

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:6 - 10:14


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The First Defeat of the Enemies

v. 6. And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David,
that they had become hateful to him 1Sa_13:4, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, 2Sa_8:3-5, twenty thousand footmen, and of King Maacah, on the northern border of Bashan, a thousand men, and of Ishtob, of the men of Tob, a district east or northeast of the Ammonite territory, twelve thousand men. It was a mighty army of infantry, cavalry, and mar-chariots.

v. 7. And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men,
literally, "the whole host, the mighty men," the veterans of the many wars in which David had engaged.

v. 8. And the children of Ammon came out,
namely, from the strong fortifications of their capital city, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate, they formed their battle-front immediately before the city; and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, their auxiliaries or allies, were by themselves in the field, in the broad Plain of Medeba, the two armies preferring to maneuver separately.

v. 9. When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind,
that he could be attacked by the Syrians in the front, by the Ammonites in the rear, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, the best men of his veteran army, and put them in array against the Syrians, whom he evidently considered the more dangerous enemies;

v. 10. and the rest of the people he delivered in to the hand of Abishai, his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
Thus Joab was covered in his rear when he attacked the Syrians and might have support if he needed it.

v. 11. And he said, if the Syrians be too strong for me,
for he intended to attack and defeat the Syrians first, then thou shalt help me; but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. All depended upon the quickness and the force of the double blow as Joab had planned it.

v. 12. Be of good courage,
Abishai himself should be of a fearless temper of mind, and let us play the men for our people, true leaders in warlike action, and for the cities of our God, for the cities of Israel, for which they were contending, were really the gift of God to His people; and the Lord do that which seemeth Him good. "These words express trust in God combined with unconditional submission,"

v. 13. And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians,
in a quick and vigorous attack against their well-disciplined forges; and they fled before him, their lines broke at the first onslaught.

v. 14. And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered in to the city,
they retired into their fortifications. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem. His was a brilliant exploit, but not a decisive defeat of the Syrians. The siege of Rabbah he did not undertake, either because the season was too far advanced, or because he did not have the materials for such a siege. Both Joab and Abishai, trusting in the God of Israel, had done their duty, for a just war may well be carried on by believers.