2 Samuel 10 Study Notes: War with the Ammonites and Arameans
David sends envoys to console the new Ammonite king Hanun, but Hanun disgraces them on his officials' advice. The Ammonites hire Aramean troops, and Joab and Abishai defeat both armies while trusting the outcome to God. David then crushes the regrouped Arameans, whose vassal kings submit to Israel.
General
What did the Ammonites do once they realized they had made themselves hateful to David (2 Samuel 10:6)?
Answer: Hired Aramean and other soldiers to fight against Israel
Rather than seeking peace, the Ammonites, knowing they had made David their enemy, prepared for war. They paid for soldiers from several Aramean kingdoms, including Zoba, along with men from Maacah and Tob (10:6); the parallel account also records the hiring of Aramean forces (1 Chronicles 19:6). Zobah was the kingdom of Hadadezer, whom David had already defeated once (8:3). The insult to David’s envoys grew into a coalition war against Israel.
- 2 Samuel 10:6 (BSB)“When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob.”The Ammonites realize they have offended David and hire foreign soldiers.
- 1 Chronicles 19:6 (BSB)“When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah.”The parallel account also says the Ammonites hired troops once they saw they had become offensive to David.
- 2 Samuel 8:3 (BSB)“David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River.”Zobah, one of the places the soldiers came from, had already been defeated by David under its king Hadadezer.
Theological
How did the Ammonites respond once they recognized that they had provoked David (2 Samuel 10:6)?
Answer: Hired Aramean and other soldiers to fight against Israel
Instead of seeking reconciliation, the Ammonites escalated. Aware that they had made themselves odious to David, they paid for a coalition of Aramean forces from Zoba and elsewhere, along with troops from Maacah and Tob (10:6); the parallel account likewise records the hiring of Aramean forces (1 Chronicles 19:6). Zobah was Hadadezer’s kingdom, already beaten by David once (8:3). A diplomatic insult thus became a regional war.
- 2 Samuel 10:6 (BSB)“When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob.”The Ammonites realize they have offended David and hire foreign soldiers.
- 1 Chronicles 19:6 (BSB)“When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah.”The parallel account also says the Ammonites hired troops once they saw they had become offensive to David.
- 2 Samuel 8:3 (BSB)“David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River.”Zobah, one of the places the soldiers came from, had already been defeated by David under its king Hadadezer.
General
What was the final result after the Arameans regrouped and fought David at Helam (2 Samuel 10:18-19)?
Answer: The kings under Hadadezer made peace and served Israel
After their first defeat, the Arameans gathered again, and Hadadezer brought in more troops from the far side of the Euphrates under his commander Shobach (10:15-16). This time David himself led all Israel across the Jordan to Helam. The Arameans fled, and Shobach was struck down and died (10:17-18). The kings who served Hadadezer then sought peace and came under Israel’s rule, and from then on the Arameans feared to aid the Ammonites (10:19; 1 Chronicles 19:19). This continued the pattern of chapter 8, where the LORD gave David victory wherever he went (8:6), just as the LORD had reminded David that He had been with him in every place and had removed his enemies before him (7:9). The Ammonites, though, were still unconquered, which sets the scene for chapter 11.
- 2 Samuel 10:18 (BSB)“But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.”The Arameans flee before Israel, and their commander Shobach is struck down.
- 2 Samuel 10:19 (BSB)“When all the kings who were subject to Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.”The kings subject to Hadadezer make peace with Israel, and the Arameans stop helping the Ammonites.
- 1 Chronicles 19:19 (BSB)“When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Arameans were unwilling to help the Ammonites anymore.”The parallel account records the same peace and the Arameans’ refusal to help the Ammonites again.
- 2 Samuel 8:6 (BSB)“Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.”The LORD had already been giving David victory wherever he went.
- 2 Samuel 7:9 (BSB)“I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land.”God had told David that He had been with him in every place and had removed his enemies before him.
Theological
What outcome followed the Arameans’ second defeat at Helam (2 Samuel 10:18-19)?
Answer: The kings under Hadadezer made peace and served Israel
The regrouped Aramean coalition under Hadadezer’s commander Shobach was routed by David at Helam, and Shobach himself was killed (10:15-18). Hadadezer’s vassal kings sued for peace and submitted to Israel, and the Arameans would no longer support the Ammonites (10:19; 1 Chronicles 19:19). This extends the victories of chapter 8, where the LORD gave David success wherever he went (8:6), in keeping with the LORD’s covenant word that He had been with David in every place and had removed his enemies before him (7:9). Rabbah of the Ammonites remained, setting up the siege of chapter 11.
- 2 Samuel 10:18 (BSB)“But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.”The Arameans flee before Israel, and their commander Shobach is struck down.
- 2 Samuel 10:19 (BSB)“When all the kings who were subject to Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.”The kings subject to Hadadezer make peace with Israel, and the Arameans stop helping the Ammonites.
- 1 Chronicles 19:19 (BSB)“When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Arameans were unwilling to help the Ammonites anymore.”The parallel account records the same peace and the Arameans’ refusal to help the Ammonites again.
- 2 Samuel 8:6 (BSB)“Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.”The LORD had already been giving David victory wherever he went.
- 2 Samuel 7:9 (BSB)“I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land.”God had told David that He had been with him in every place and had removed his enemies before him.
General
Why did David send servants to Hanun after the Ammonite king died (2 Samuel 10:2)?
Answer: To console him, returning the kindness his father had shown
When the Ammonite king died and his son Hanun took the throne, David decided to be kind to Hanun, because Hanun’s father Nahash had been kind to him (10:1-2). So he sent servants to comfort Hanun over his father’s death. The text does not say what kindness Nahash had shown David; it simply gives this as David’s reason, as the parallel in Chronicles does too (1 Chronicles 19:2). The chapter opens the way chapter 9 did, with David seeking to show kindness (9:1), but this time the kindness is rejected.
- 2 Samuel 10:2 (BSB)“And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites,”David resolves to be kind to the new Ammonite king and sends servants to console him.
- 1 Chronicles 19:2 (BSB)“And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console Hanun concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him,”The parallel account gives the same reason: Hanun’s father had been kind to David.
- 2 Samuel 9:1 (BSB)“Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?””In the previous chapter David had likewise sought someone to whom he could show kindness.
Theological
What reason does the text give for David’s delegation to the new Ammonite king (2 Samuel 10:2)?
Answer: To console him, returning the kindness his father had shown
David’s embassy to Hanun was an act of goodwill: he meant to repay the kindness Hanun’s father Nahash had shown him by consoling the son in his grief (10:1-2; 1 Chronicles 19:2). The narrative does not specify what Nahash had done for David. The opening deliberately echoes chapter 9, where David also sought someone to show kindness to (9:1), but where Mephibosheth received David’s favor, Hanun will spurn it.
- 2 Samuel 10:2 (BSB)“And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites,”David resolves to be kind to the new Ammonite king and sends servants to console him.
- 1 Chronicles 19:2 (BSB)“And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console Hanun concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him,”The parallel account gives the same reason: Hanun’s father had been kind to David.
- 2 Samuel 9:1 (BSB)“Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?””In the previous chapter David had likewise sought someone to whom he could show kindness.
General
True or False: When David heard how his servants had been shamed, he told them to come straight back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 10:5).
Answer: False
This is false. Hanun disgraced David’s servants by shaving away half the beard of every envoy and cutting their garments short, then sent them away (10:4). When David heard, he sent men out to them, because they were deeply ashamed, and told them to remain at Jericho until their beards had grown again before returning (10:5; 1 Chronicles 19:4-5). David spared his men further public shame, but the insult to his envoys was an insult to David himself.
- 2 Samuel 10:4 (BSB)“So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away.”Hanun shames David’s servants and sends them away.
- 2 Samuel 10:5 (BSB)“When this was reported to David, he sent messengers to meet the men, since they had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.””David sends to meet the humiliated men and tells them where to wait.
- 1 Chronicles 19:4 (BSB)“So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved their beards, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away.”The parallel account records the same public humiliation of David’s men.
- 1 Chronicles 19:5 (BSB)“When someone came and told David about his men, he sent messengers to meet them, since the men had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.””The parallel account also has David telling the men to wait at Jericho.
Theological
True or False: David ordered his humiliated envoys to return directly to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 10:5).
Answer: False
This is false. After Hanun publicly degraded the envoys, shaving half of each beard and cutting away their garments (10:4), David sent to meet them and instructed them to wait at Jericho until their beards had grown back (10:5; 1 Chronicles 19:4-5). He protected his men from further disgrace; the affront to his ambassadors was, in effect, an affront to their king.
- 2 Samuel 10:4 (BSB)“So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away.”Hanun shames David’s servants and sends them away.
- 2 Samuel 10:5 (BSB)“When this was reported to David, he sent messengers to meet the men, since they had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.””David sends to meet the humiliated men and tells them where to wait.
- 1 Chronicles 19:4 (BSB)“So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved their beards, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away.”The parallel account records the same public humiliation of David’s men.
- 1 Chronicles 19:5 (BSB)“When someone came and told David about his men, he sent messengers to meet them, since the men had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.””The parallel account also has David telling the men to wait at Jericho.
General
When Joab saw enemy forces both in front of and behind him, what did he do (2 Samuel 10:9-11)?
Answer: Split the army and gave Abishai command against the Ammonites
The Ammonites formed up at their city entrance and the hired Arameans stood out in the countryside, so Joab faced enemies on two sides (10:8-9). He took a picked force to face the Arameans himself and put the remaining troops under his brother Abishai to face the Ammonites (10:9-10). The two agreed that whichever of them was being overpowered would be helped by the other (10:11; 1 Chronicles 19:10-12). It was a plan built on mutual support, the kind of help two can give that one alone cannot (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
- 2 Samuel 10:9 (BSB)“When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans.”Joab sees enemies in front of and behind him and arranges his best men against the Arameans.
- 2 Samuel 10:10 (BSB)“And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites.”Joab gives the rest of the troops to his brother Abishai to face the Ammonites.
- 2 Samuel 10:11 (BSB)““If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue.”Joab and Abishai agree to help each other if either side is too strong.
- 1 Chronicles 19:10-12 (BSB)“When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue.”The parallel account records the same division of the army and the same agreement to help each other.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (BSB)“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!”Two who help each other are stronger than one alone, as Joab’s plan assumed.
Theological
How did Joab respond when he found himself caught between two enemy battle lines (2 Samuel 10:9-11)?
Answer: Split the army and gave Abishai command against the Ammonites
Caught between the Ammonites at the city gate and the Arameans in the field (10:8-9), Joab divided his forces: he led select troops to face the Arameans and assigned the remainder to Abishai against the Ammonites (10:9-10). Each pledged to reinforce the other if pressed too hard (10:11; 1 Chronicles 19:10-12), the practical wisdom of mutual help that Ecclesiastes commends (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
- 2 Samuel 10:9 (BSB)“When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans.”Joab sees enemies in front of and behind him and arranges his best men against the Arameans.
- 2 Samuel 10:10 (BSB)“And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites.”Joab gives the rest of the troops to his brother Abishai to face the Ammonites.
- 2 Samuel 10:11 (BSB)““If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue.”Joab and Abishai agree to help each other if either side is too strong.
- 1 Chronicles 19:10-12 (BSB)“When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue.”The parallel account records the same division of the army and the same agreement to help each other.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (BSB)“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!”Two who help each other are stronger than one alone, as Joab’s plan assumed.
General
After urging his troops to fight bravely, how did Joab speak about the outcome of the battle (2 Samuel 10:12)?
Answer: He committed the result to the LORD to do as He saw good
Joab called his men to be strong and fight courageously for their nation and God’s cities, and then he left the result in the LORD’s hands, saying the LORD would do what seemed good to Him (10:12). Real effort and trust in God’s rule go together here. People are responsible to prepare and fight, yet the outcome belongs to the LORD (Proverbs 21:31). Jonathan had spoken in the same way before his attack on the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:6), and Eli had used similar words in accepting God’s judgment (1 Samuel 3:18). The Arameans then fled before Joab, and the Ammonites retreated into their city (10:13-14).
- 2 Samuel 10:12 (BSB)“Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.””Joab urges courage and then commits the outcome of the battle to the LORD.
- Proverbs 21:31 (BSB)“A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.”Preparing for battle is man’s part, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (BSB)“Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.””Jonathan likewise acted in battle while confessing that nothing can hinder the LORD from saving.
- 1 Samuel 3:18 (BSB)“So Samuel told him everything and did not hide a thing from him. “He is the LORD,” replied Eli. “Let Him do what is good in His eyes.””Eli also confessed that the LORD would do what is good in His eyes.
Theological
How did Joab frame the coming battle after his call to courage (2 Samuel 10:12)?
Answer: He committed the result to the LORD to do as He saw good
Joab joins exhortation to submission: the troops must be strong and fight valiantly for their nation and God’s cities, while the outcome is left to the LORD’s good pleasure (10:12). Human responsibility and divine sovereignty stand side by side without tension; the soldiers must prepare and fight, but victory is the LORD’s (Proverbs 21:31). The same pattern appears in Jonathan’s attack (1 Samuel 14:6) and in Eli’s acceptance of God’s word (1 Samuel 3:18). The Arameans fled and the Ammonites withdrew into the city (10:13-14).
- 2 Samuel 10:12 (BSB)“Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.””Joab urges courage and then commits the outcome of the battle to the LORD.
- Proverbs 21:31 (BSB)“A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.”Preparing for battle is man’s part, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (BSB)“Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.””Jonathan likewise acted in battle while confessing that nothing can hinder the LORD from saving.
- 1 Samuel 3:18 (BSB)“So Samuel told him everything and did not hide a thing from him. “He is the LORD,” replied Eli. “Let Him do what is good in His eyes.””Eli also confessed that the LORD would do what is good in His eyes.
General
What did the Ammonite princes tell Hanun about David’s servants (2 Samuel 10:3)?
Answer: That they were scouts sent to prepare an attack on the city
Hanun’s Ammonite princes told him not to believe that David was honoring his father. They claimed David’s men had really come to examine the city and spy on it so that David could conquer it (10:3; 1 Chronicles 19:3). The narrator has already told the reader David’s real purpose: to console Hanun in his grief (10:2; 1 Chronicles 19:2). Hanun accepted his officials’ suspicion rather than the plain meaning of David’s gesture.
- 2 Samuel 10:3 (BSB)“the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Has not David instead sent his servants to explore the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?””The Ammonite princes cast suspicion on David’s motives.
- 1 Chronicles 19:3 (BSB)“the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Have not his servants come to you to explore the land, spy it out, and overthrow it?””The parallel account records the same accusation by the princes.
- 1 Chronicles 19:2 (BSB)“And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console Hanun concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him,”The parallel account confirms David’s true purpose was to console Hanun.
Theological
How did Hanun’s officials interpret David’s delegation (2 Samuel 10:3)?
Answer: That they were scouts sent to prepare an attack on the city
Hanun’s princes recast David’s condolence as espionage: the visitors, they said, had come to reconnoiter the city in order to overthrow it (10:3; 1 Chronicles 19:3). The narrator has already established David’s genuine intent, which was to console (10:2; 1 Chronicles 19:2). Hanun’s acceptance of this suspicion turns an act of goodwill into an insult and sets the war of chapters 10 to 12 in motion.
- 2 Samuel 10:3 (BSB)“the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Has not David instead sent his servants to explore the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?””The Ammonite princes cast suspicion on David’s motives.
- 1 Chronicles 19:3 (BSB)“the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Have not his servants come to you to explore the land, spy it out, and overthrow it?””The parallel account records the same accusation by the princes.
- 1 Chronicles 19:2 (BSB)“And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console Hanun concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him,”The parallel account confirms David’s true purpose was to console Hanun.