2 Samuel10
English Standard Version
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1 the of the , and his in his .
2 And , I will with the of , as his with me. So his to him concerning his . And into the of the .
3 But the of the to their , Do you , because has to you, that he is your ? Has not his you to the and to spy it and to it?
4 So and the of each and their in the , their , and .
5 When it was , he to them, for the were . And the , at until your have and then .
6 When the that they had become a , the and the of , and the of , , and the of with , and the of , men.
7 And when of it, he and the of the .
8 And the and drew up in at the of the , and the of and of and the men of and were by in the open .
9 When that the was set both in and in the , he some of the men of and them the .
10 The of his he in the of his , and he them the .
11 And he , the are too for me, then you shall me, but if the are too for you, then I will and you.
12 Be of good , and let us be our , and for the of our , and may the Lord what .
13 So and the who were with him drew to against the , and they him.
14 And when the that the , they likewise and the . Then from fighting against the and to .
15 But when the that they had been , they themselves .
16 And and the who were the . They to , with the of the of at their .
17 And when it was , he all and the and to . The themselves and with him.
18 And the , and of the the men of , and , and the of their , so that he there.
19 And when the who were of that they had been , they with and to them. So the were to the .
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2 Samuel 10Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Samuel 10. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David's messengers ill-treated by Hanun. (1–5). The Ammonites defeated. (6–14). The Syrians defeated. (15–19).
vv1-5
Nahash had been an enemy to Israel, yet had showed kindness to David. David therefore resolves gratefully to return it. If a Pharisee gives alms in pride, though God will not reward it, yet he that receives the alms ought to return thanks for it. Those who bear ill-will to their neighbours, are resolved not to believe that their neighbours bear any good-will to them. There is nothing so well meant, but it may be ill interpreted, and is wont to be so, by men who love nobody but themselves. The best men must not think it strange if they are thus misrepresented. Charity thinketh no evil. According to the usages of those days and countries, Hanun treated David's ambassadors in the most contemptuous manner. David showed much concern for his servants. Let us learn not to lay unjust reproaches to heart; they will wear off, and turn only to the shame of those who utter or do them; while the reputation wrongfully hurt in a little time grows again, as these beards did. God will bring forth thy righteousness as the light, therefore wait patiently for him, Ps 37:6, 7.
vv6-14
They that are at war with the Son of David, not only give the provocation, but begin the war. God has forces to send against those that set his wrath at defiance, Isa 5:19, which will convince them that none ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered. Christ's soldiers should strengthen one another's hands in their spiritual warfare. Let nothing be wanting in us, whatever the success be. When we make conscience of doing our duty, we may, with satisfaction, leave the event with God, assuredly hoping for his salvation in his own way and time.
vv15-19
Here is a new attempt of the Syrians. 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. But now the promise made to Abraham, Ge 15:18, and repeated to Joshua, Jos 1:4, that the borders of Israel should extend to the river Euphrates, was performed. Learn hence, that it is dangerous to help those who have God against them; for when they fall, their helpers will fall with them.
Key Words
אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
מֶלֶךְ: a king
מוּת: to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
חָנוּן: Chanun, the name of an Ammonite and of two Israelites
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
מָלַךְ: to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel
תַּחַת: the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
2 Samuel 10Direct parallel account of the Ammonite king's death and David's embassy.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct parallel account of Hanun shaving David's servants and cutting their garments.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel account detailing the vast sum used to hire Syrian chariots and horsemen.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel account of Joab's stirring military address of courage.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel account of the Syrian kings making peace with Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
God's law forbidding Israel from seeking the peace or prosperity of Ammonites.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophetic sign of captives led away with buttocks uncovered, illustrating shame.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Classic accusation of espionage, mirroring the princes' suspicion of David's spies.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Shaving of the beard as a profound insult, later endured by the Messiah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prior defeat of Hadadezer of Zobah, whom the Ammonites re-hired.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Shows Nahash's earlier cruel threat to Jabesh-gilead, contrasting David's kindness.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Confirms Jericho was an uninhabited ruin or obscure village at this time.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies the land of 'Tob' (Ish-tob) where Jephthah previously fled.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Title references Joab's struggle against Aram-Naharaim and Aram-Zobah.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel details of David gathering Israel and crossing Jordan to Helam.
Supported by JFB
Parallel record of Syrian casualties, specifying chariot force numbers.
Supported by JFB