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
( 1 Chronicles 19:6-12 ). ( MEDEBA .) An agreement of mutual help. "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" ( 2 Samuel 10:11 ). 1 . On perceiving the effect of their treatment of David s ambassadors ( 2 Samuel 10:6 ; "That they had made themselves odious," 1 Chronicles 19:6 ), the Ammonites obtained, for "a thousand talents of silver," the aid of the Syrians of... read more
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
And he said, etc. Thenius remarks, "We have here the briefest of warlike exhortations, but one most full of point and meaning." Joab recognized the full danger of their situation; for should he meet with any check in his attack on this vast host of mercenaries, he was well aware that the Ammonites, watching the battle with eager interest, would, on the first news of victory, rush upon Abishai with exulting fury; and the men with him, being only ordinary troops, would be disheartened by... read more
Cooperation, courage, and resignation. Joab here appears at his best. A great occasion, involving great peril for the army and the kingdom, calls forth, not only his eminent military qualities, but sentiments of piety and religious patriotism worthy of David himself. He presents an example worthy of imitation by commanders of armies; but we take his words as adapted to guide and animate the soldiers of Christ in their warfare against error and sin. They Call attention to three duties... read more
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
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
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
Play the Man 2 Samuel 10:12 What is it to play the man? It is: I. To Take Things Seriously Of Louis XV of France it was said that, being wholly occupied with his amusements, he had not an hour in the day for important matters; while the best that could be said of our own King Charles II was that he was a 'merry monarch'. There was no true manhood there, to say nothing of royal dignity. II. Cheerful Courage. But along with this seriousness, this clear and frank recognition of things as they... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:6-14
Here we have, I. The preparation which the Ammonites made for war, 2 Sam. 10:6. They saw they had made themselves very odious to David and obnoxious to his just displeasure. This they might easily have foreseen when they abused his ambassadors, which was no other than a challenge to war, and a bold defiance of him. Yet, it seems, they had not considered how unable they were, with their thousands, to meet his; for now they found themselves an unequal match, and were forced to hire forces of... read more