II Samuel 10: David's Kindness Rejected and the Ammonite War
And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
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.
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?
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.
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.
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth–rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish–tob twelve thousand men.
And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
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 Ish–tob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
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:
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.
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.
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.
And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
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.
And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
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.
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.
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.
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.
II Samuel 10 marks a pivotal moment in David's reign, highlighting both his character and the challenges he faced. It sets the stage for the subsequent narrative of David's sin and its consequences. The chapter opens with an act of kindness, quickly followed by betrayal and escalating conflict.
An Act of Kindness Misunderstood (II Samuel 10:1-2)
The chapter begins with David extending compassion to the Ammonites. Nahash, the former king of Ammon, had shown kindness to David in the past, perhaps during Saul's reign when David was a fugitive. In an act of gratitude and diplomacy, David sends a delegation to Hanun, Nahash's son, to offer condolences upon his father's death (II Samuel 10:1-2). This gesture demonstrates David's commitment to honoring relationships and maintaining peace with neighboring nations. It reflects a heart of gratitude, remembering even seemingly small acts of kindness shown to him.
Insult and Humiliation (II Samuel 10:3-5)
Tragically, David's goodwill is met with suspicion and hostility. Hanun's advisors, driven by distrust and animosity towards Israel, misinterpret David's intentions. They convince Hanun that the delegation is a group of spies, sent to survey the land in preparation for an invasion (II Samuel 10:3). Blinded by paranoia, Hanun humiliates David's messengers by shaving off half their beards and cutting off their garments at the waist, exposing their buttocks (II Samuel 10:4). This act is a profound insult in the ancient Near East, causing deep shame and dishonor to the men and, by extension, to David himself. David, upon hearing of the humiliation, instructs his men to remain in Jericho until their beards grow back, acknowledging the gravity of the situation (II Samuel 10:5).
Preparing for War (II Samuel 10:6-14)
The Ammonites, realizing the gravity of their offense and anticipating David's response, begin to prepare for war. They hire mercenaries from Aram, Maacah, and Tob, bolstering their forces with tens of thousands of soldiers (II Samuel 10:6). David, aware of the impending threat, sends Joab, his commander, and the Israelite army to confront the Ammonites and their allies (II Samuel 10:7). The enemy divides their forces, with the Ammonites guarding the city of Rabbah and the Aramean mercenaries positioned in the open field (II Samuel 10:8). Joab, a seasoned military strategist, responds by dividing his own army, sending his brother Abishai against the Ammonites while he leads the attack against the Arameans (II Samuel 10:9-10). Joab and Abishai agree to support each other if one division faces overwhelming odds (II Samuel 10:11-12). This strategic thinking, coupled with faith in God, leads to a decisive victory. The Arameans flee from Joab, and the Ammonites, witnessing their allies' retreat, withdraw into their city (II Samuel 10:13-14). Joab, content with the victory, calls off the attack on Rabbah and returns to Jerusalem.
The Aramean Counterattack and David's Triumph (II Samuel 10:15-19)
Despite their initial defeat, the Arameans regroup and prepare for another battle. Hadadezer, their king, summons reinforcements from beyond the Euphrates River (II Samuel 10:15-16). Recognizing the seriousness of the renewed threat, David personally leads the Israelite army into battle (II Samuel 10:17). The result is a resounding victory for Israel. David's forces rout the Arameans, killing Shobach, the commander of their army (II Samuel 10:18). This defeat shatters the Aramean morale, leading them to seek peace with Israel and become subject to David (II Samuel 10:19).
This chapter reveals David at the height of his power and influence. His military prowess and God's blessing have brought him victory over his enemies and established Israel as a dominant force in the region. However, it also foreshadows the challenges that lie ahead. The peace and prosperity that David enjoys will soon be threatened by his own sin, a stark reminder that even the most righteous individuals are susceptible to temptation. The stage is set for the tragic events of II Samuel 11, where David's moral failure will have devastating consequences for himself and his kingdom.
And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
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.
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?
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.
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.
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth–rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish–tob twelve thousand men.
And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
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 Ish–tob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
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:
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.
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.
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.
And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
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.
And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
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.
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.
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.
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.
II Samuel 10 marks a pivotal moment in David's reign, highlighting both his character and the challenges he faced. It sets the stage for the subsequent narrative of David's sin and its consequences. The chapter opens with an act of kindness, quickly followed by betrayal and escalating conflict.
An Act of Kindness Misunderstood (II Samuel 10:1-2)
The chapter begins with David extending compassion to the Ammonites. Nahash, the former king of Ammon, had shown kindness to David in the past, perhaps during Saul's reign when David was a fugitive. In an act of gratitude and diplomacy, David sends a delegation to Hanun, Nahash's son, to offer condolences upon his father's death (II Samuel 10:1-2). This gesture demonstrates David's commitment to honoring relationships and maintaining peace with neighboring nations. It reflects a heart of gratitude, remembering even seemingly small acts of kindness shown to him.
Insult and Humiliation (II Samuel 10:3-5)
Tragically, David's goodwill is met with suspicion and hostility. Hanun's advisors, driven by distrust and animosity towards Israel, misinterpret David's intentions. They convince Hanun that the delegation is a group of spies, sent to survey the land in preparation for an invasion (II Samuel 10:3). Blinded by paranoia, Hanun humiliates David's messengers by shaving off half their beards and cutting off their garments at the waist, exposing their buttocks (II Samuel 10:4). This act is a profound insult in the ancient Near East, causing deep shame and dishonor to the men and, by extension, to David himself. David, upon hearing of the humiliation, instructs his men to remain in Jericho until their beards grow back, acknowledging the gravity of the situation (II Samuel 10:5).
Preparing for War (II Samuel 10:6-14)
The Ammonites, realizing the gravity of their offense and anticipating David's response, begin to prepare for war. They hire mercenaries from Aram, Maacah, and Tob, bolstering their forces with tens of thousands of soldiers (II Samuel 10:6). David, aware of the impending threat, sends Joab, his commander, and the Israelite army to confront the Ammonites and their allies (II Samuel 10:7). The enemy divides their forces, with the Ammonites guarding the city of Rabbah and the Aramean mercenaries positioned in the open field (II Samuel 10:8). Joab, a seasoned military strategist, responds by dividing his own army, sending his brother Abishai against the Ammonites while he leads the attack against the Arameans (II Samuel 10:9-10). Joab and Abishai agree to support each other if one division faces overwhelming odds (II Samuel 10:11-12). This strategic thinking, coupled with faith in God, leads to a decisive victory. The Arameans flee from Joab, and the Ammonites, witnessing their allies' retreat, withdraw into their city (II Samuel 10:13-14). Joab, content with the victory, calls off the attack on Rabbah and returns to Jerusalem.
The Aramean Counterattack and David's Triumph (II Samuel 10:15-19)
Despite their initial defeat, the Arameans regroup and prepare for another battle. Hadadezer, their king, summons reinforcements from beyond the Euphrates River (II Samuel 10:15-16). Recognizing the seriousness of the renewed threat, David personally leads the Israelite army into battle (II Samuel 10:17). The result is a resounding victory for Israel. David's forces rout the Arameans, killing Shobach, the commander of their army (II Samuel 10:18). This defeat shatters the Aramean morale, leading them to seek peace with Israel and become subject to David (II Samuel 10:19).
This chapter reveals David at the height of his power and influence. His military prowess and God's blessing have brought him victory over his enemies and established Israel as a dominant force in the region. However, it also foreshadows the challenges that lie ahead. The peace and prosperity that David enjoys will soon be threatened by his own sin, a stark reminder that even the most righteous individuals are susceptible to temptation. The stage is set for the tragic events of II Samuel 11, where David's moral failure will have devastating consequences for himself and his kingdom.