2 Samuel10
New American Standard
1Now it happened afterward that the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun became king in his place.
2Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console him about his father. But when David’s servants came to the land of the Ammonites,
3the commanders of the Ammonites said to their lord Hanun, “Do you think that David is simply honoring your father since he has sent you servants to console you? Has David not sent his servants to you in order to explore the city, to spy it out and overthrow it?”
4So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half of their beards, and cut off their robes in the middle as far as their buttocks, and sent them away.
5When messengers informed David, he sent servants to meet them, because the men were extremely humiliated. And the king said, “Stay in Jericho until your beards grow back, and then you shall return.”
6Now when the sons of Ammon saw that they had become repulsive to David, the sons of Ammon sent messengers and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and the men of Tob with twelve thousand men.
7When David heard about this, he sent Joab and all the army, the warriors.
8And the sons of Ammon came out and lined up for battle at the entrance of the city, while the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were stationed by themselves in the field.
9Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him at the front and at the rear, he selected warriors from all the choice men in Israel, and lined them up against the Arameans.
10But the remainder of the people he placed under the command of his brother Abishai, and he lined them up against the sons of Ammon.
11And he said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you.
12Be strong, and let’s show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight.”
13So Joab and the people who were with him advanced to the battle against the Arameans, and they fled from him.
14When the sons of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled from Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the sons of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.
15When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they assembled together.
16And Hadadezer sent word and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the Euphrates River, and they came to Helam; and Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer led them.
17Now when it was reported to David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Arameans lined up against David and fought him.
18But the Arameans fled from Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers of the Arameans and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.
19When all the kings, servants of Hadadezer, saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the sons of Ammon anymore.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Samuel 10.
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