2 Samuel 10:17 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:15-19

Here is, 1. A new attempt of the Syrians to recover their lost honour and to check the progress of David's victorious arms. The forces that were lately dispersed rallied again, and gathered themselves together, 2 Sam. 10:15. 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, Matt. 22:34; Rev. 19:19. These, being conscious of their insufficiency, called in the aid of their allies and dependencies on the other side of the river (2... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 10:17

David - gathered all Israel together - He thought that such a war required his own presence. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:6-19

International quarrels. The facts are: 1 . The Ammonites, discovering the displeasure of David, hire mercenaries of the neighbouring peoples. 2 . As a countermovement, David sends out a strong force under Joab. 3 . The opposing forces coming into contact, Joab arranges that he should confront the Syrians, while Abishai deals with the Ammonites. 4 . Joab, exhorting Abishai to courage, in dependence on God, arranges also for mutual support, in case of need, in their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:17

David … gathered all Israel together. Some commentators see in this an indication of dissatisfaction with Joab. Really it was a matter of course that in so great a war the king should place himself at the head of his levies. For not only was he possessed of great military genius, but his personal presence would make the men of Israel, a race of sturdy free men, assemble in greater numbers, and would give them confidence. If David himself went there would be no shirking the war and finding... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 10:17-18

2 Samuel 10:17-18. David passed over Jordan In this expedition David seems to have commanded his army in his own person. But, notwithstanding, the Syrians appear to have begun the fight. David slew the men of seven hundred chariots, &c. The parallel place, 1 Chronicles 19:18, reads, seven thousand men that fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and not horsemen, as here. It is probable, either that horse and foot were mixed together, and that, in all, there were slain... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:1-19

Remembering former kindnesses (9:1-10:19)Although his power was now great, David did not forget his covenant with Jonathan. Unlike other kings, David would not destroy the family of the king whom he replaced (9:1; see 1 Samuel 20:12-17). David not only spared the life of Jonathan’s sole surviving son, the crippled Mephibosheth, but also restored to him Saul’s family property (2-8; cf. 4:4). David gave Mephibosheth the privilege of free access into the palace, and appointed one of Saul’s former... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 10:1-19

B. God’s Faithfulness despite David’s Unfaithfulness chs. 10-12These chapters form a sub-section within the Court History portion of 2 Samuel. [Note: Youngblood, p. 920.] The phrase "Now it happened" or "Now it was" (2 Samuel 10:1; 2 Samuel 13:1) always opens a new section. [Note: Wolfgang Roth, "You Are the Man! Structural Interaction in 2 Samuel 10-12." Semeia 8 (1977):4; John I. Lawlor, "Theology and Art in the Narrative of the Ammonite War (2 Samuel 10-12)," Grace Theological Journal 3:2... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 10:1-19

The War with Ammon and Syria2. His father shewed kindness unto me] Occasion not stated. 3. The city] i.e. their capital, Rabbah. The Ammonites probably were thinking of the severity with which David had treated the neighbouring Moabites (2 Samuel 8:2).4. Shaving the beard is the greatest insult that can be offered to an Oriental. The Arabs regard it as we should regard flogging or branding.6. Hired] cp. 1 Kings 15:18-20. Beth-rehob] near Laish or Dan (Judges 18:28). King Maacah] RV ’the king of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 10:17

(17) He gathered . . . and passed.—David, hearing of the great Syrian rally, now took the field in person. Joab may have been with him, but more probably was employed at the south in holding the Ammonites in check and preventing their forming a junction with their confederates. read more