2 Samuel 10:1-19 KJV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:8

And the children of Ammon came out ,.... Either out of Rabbah their metropolis, as Josephus F21 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 6. sect. 2. ; or rather out of Medeba, as it seems from 1 Chronicles 19:7 ; a city that lay on the borders of their country, and was a frontier town, see Numbers 21:30 ; and put the battle in array, at the entering in of the gate ; of the city of Medeba; they were first within the city, but, upon the approach of Joab and his army, they came out and drew up in a line... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:9

When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind ,.... Or "the face" of it F23 פני "facies", Pagninus, Montanus. ; armies appeared both before and behind, about to attack him both in front and rear; the Targum is,"and Joab saw that the warriors, or those that made war, were strong against him before and behind:" he chose of all the choice men of Israel ; the most eminent for strength, and valour, and military skill, who had been tried, and were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:10

And the rest of the people he delivered into the hands of Abishai his brother ,.... Who was a commander under him, and a very valiant man; and thus, as his enemy had two armies, he divided his into two parts, that he might the better attack them: that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon : draw them up in a line, place them rank and file to meet the children of Ammon, and give them battle. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:11

And he said, if the Syrians be too strong for me ,.... Which he might perceive by Joab's forces giving way, or by some signal agreed on between them then thou shall help me ; detach a part of his army to his support and assistance: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee ; in the same manner. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:12

Be of good courage, and let us play the men ,.... This Joab said, not only to encourage Abishai and himself, but in the hearing of the rest of the officers of the army, and of many of the people, to hearten them to the battle; who might be somewhat intimidated with the number of their enemies, and the position they were in, being before and behind them; and therefore he thought proper to make such a speech to them to animate them to light: for our people, and for the cities of our God ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:13

And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians ,.... Fell upon them; attacked them first, began the battle with them; rightly judging, that if they, being hired soldiers, were closely pressed, they would give way, which would discourage the Ammonites, who depended much upon them; and the fight, according to Josephus F24 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 6. sect. 2.) , lasted some little time, who says, that Joab killed many of them, and obliged the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:14

And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled ,.... In whom they put great confidence: then they fled also before Abishai ; without engaging at all with him, as it seems: and entered into the city ; out of which they came, either Rabbah or Medeba, for their safety: so Joab returned from the children of Ammon ; did not stay to lay siege to their city, the season of the year not being proper for it, winter drawing near; see 2 Samuel 11:1 , and came to Jerusalem... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:15

And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel ,.... Considered it in their minds, and conversed with one another about it, and fearing what would be the consequence of it: they gathered themselves together ; not only the forces got together again, that fled before Joab, but all the kings of Syria united their forces together, as appears from 2 Samuel 10:19 ; supposing that David would avenge himself on them for assisting the Ammonites against him; and therefore judged... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:16

And Hadarezer sent ,.... The same with Hadadezer, 2 Samuel 8:3 , who was at the head of this confederacy, and to whom the rest of the kings of Syria were servants, 2 Samuel 10:19 , and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river ; the river Phrat or Euphrates, as the Targum; so the Arabic version and Josephus F25 Ut supra, (Antiqu. l. 7. c. 6.) sect. 3. , who says, that he hired them: and they came to Helam ; which, according to the same writer, was king of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:17

And when it was told David ,.... What preparations the Syrians were making to fight him, and where they were: he gathered all Israel together ; all the fighting men in the country: and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam : which, according to Bunting F2 Travels, &c.; p. 140,141. , was twenty miles from Jerusalem. David seems to have gone himself in person to this war: and the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him ; they formed themselves... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:17

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