2 Samuel 10

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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.
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.
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? 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.
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.
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.
10:7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
10:13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
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.
10:15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
10:16 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.
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.
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.
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.


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Everything King James Bible:2 Samuel

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: 2 Samuel
Book: 2 Samuel
Chapter: 10

Overview:
David's messengers ill-treated By Hanun. (1-5) The Ammonites
defeated. (6-14) The Syrians defeated. (15-19)

1-5 Nahash had been an enemy to Israel, yet had showed kindness
to David. David therefore resolves gratefully to return it. If a
Pharisee gives Alms in pride, though God will not reward it, yet
he that receives the Alms ought to return thanks for it. Those
who Bear ill-will to their neighbours, are resolved not to
believe that their neighbours Bear any good-will to them. 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. The best
men must not think it strange if they are thus misrepresented.
Charity thinketh No evil. According to the usages of those days
and countries, Hanun treated David's ambassadors in the most
contemptuous manner. David showed much concern for his servants.
Let us learn not to lay unjust reproaches to Heart; they will
wear off, and turn only to the shame of those who utter or do
them; while the reputation wrongfully hurt 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.

6-14 They that are at War with the Son of David, not only give
the provocation, but begin the War. God has Forces to send
against those that set his wrath at defiance, Isa 5:19, which
will convince them that none ever hardened his Heart against
God, and prospered. Christ's soldiers should strengthen one
another's hands in their spiritual warfare. Let nothing be
wanting in us, whatever the success be. When we make Conscience
of doing our duty, we may, with satisfaction, leave the event
with God, assuredly hoping for his Salvation in his own way and
time.

15-19 Here is a new attempt of the Syrians. 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. But now the promise made to
Abraham, Ge 15:18, and repeated to Joshua, Jos 1:4, that the
borders of Israel should extend to the River Euphrates, was
performed. Learn hence, that it is dangerous to help those who
have God against them; for when they fall, their helpers will
fall with them.