2 Samuel 10

In 2 Samuel 10, David seeks to show kindness to the new king of Ammon after the death of his father, Nahash, who had been kind to David. However, the Ammonites misinterpret David's intentions and disgrace his messengers. This leads to a conflict between Israel and the combined forces of the Ammonites and the Syrians, resulting in a decisive victory for Israel. The chapter reveals the consequences of distrust and pride, contrasting David's desire for peace with the Ammonites' hostility.

2 Samuel 10:1-5 (NKJV)
1 It happened after this that the king of the people of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place.
2 Then David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent by the hand of his servants to comfort him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the people of Ammon.
3 And the princes of the people of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you think that David really honors your father because he has sent comforters to you? Has David not rather sent his servants to you to search the city, to spy it out, and to overthrow it?"
4 Therefore Hanun took David's servants, shaved off half of their beards, cut off their garments in the middle, at their buttocks, and sent them away.
5 When they told David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, "Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return."

Hanun’s response to David’s gesture of kindness was misguided by the advice of his officials, who suspected David's motives. They wrongly believed that David's servants were spies, leading Hanun to humiliate them by shaving off half of their beards and cutting their garments. This act of public humiliation deeply shamed David’s men, especially in a culture where beards symbolized dignity and honor. David, understanding their shame, told them to stay in Jericho until their beards grew back, showing compassion and support.

2 Samuel 10:6-8 (NKJV)
6 When the people of Ammon saw that they had made themselves repulsive to David, the people of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand foot soldiers; and from the king of Maacah, one thousand men; and from Ish-Tob, twelve thousand men.
7 Now when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men.
8 Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array at the entrance of the gate. And the Syrians of Zoba, Beth Rehob, Ish-Tob, and Maacah were by themselves in the field.

Realizing that their actions had offended David, the Ammonites prepared for war by hiring mercenaries from Syria and surrounding regions. They gathered a formidable army. Upon hearing this, David sent his trusted commander Joab and the elite warriors of Israel to confront this threat. The Ammonites positioned themselves at the city gate while their Syrian allies prepared for battle in the field, setting the stage for a significant conflict.

2 Samuel 10:9-12 (NKJV)
9 When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel's best and put them in battle array against the Syrians.
10 And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, that he might set them in battle array against the people of Ammon.
11 Then he said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.
12 Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight."

Joab realized that he was surrounded by both the Ammonites and the Syrians. Strategically, he split his forces: he took the elite troops to fight the Syrians, while his brother Abishai led the others against the Ammonites. Joab encouraged his men, urging them to be courageous and fight not just for themselves but for the defense of Israel and their cities. He entrusted the outcome to the Lord, demonstrating a balance of military strategy and faith in God.

2 Samuel 10:13-14 (NKJV)
13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near for the battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him.
14 When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai, and entered the city. So Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went to Jerusalem.

When Joab and his forces attacked, the Syrians fled, causing the Ammonites to lose heart and retreat into their city as well. The combined forces that had seemed so threatening were quickly defeated. Joab, having secured the battlefield, did not pursue further, but returned to Jerusalem, signaling the temporary end of the conflict.

2 Samuel 10:15-19 (NKJV)
15 When the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered together.
16 Then Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the River, and they came to Helam. And Shobach the commander of Hadadezer's army went before them.
17 When it was told David, he gathered all Israel, crossed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in battle array against David and fought with him.
18 Then the Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand horsemen of the Syrians, and struck Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.
19 And when all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Syrians were afraid to help the people of Ammon anymore.

After their defeat, the Syrians regrouped and brought additional forces from beyond the Euphrates under the command of Shobach. David, recognizing the seriousness of the renewed threat, personally led the army into battle. Israel again triumphed, inflicting heavy casualties on the Syrians, including their commander. This decisive victory forced the remaining Syrian kings to seek peace with Israel, and they became subject to Israel, ending their involvement in the conflict with the Ammonites. This victory further solidified Israel's dominance in the region.