2 Samuel
Chapter 10
War Against the Ammonites
When the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun, his son, reigned in his place,
David said: “I will be kind to Hanun, the son of Nahash, as his father was kind to me.” So David sent his servants to comfort him over his father’s death. When David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites,
the Ammonite chiefs told Hanun, their lord: “Do you think that, by sending men with condolences, David is honoring your father? Hasn’t David sent his servants to you to explore the city, spy on it, and overthrow it?”
At this, Hanun seized David’s servants, shaved off half their beard, cut away the lower halves of their garments even up to their hips, and sent them away.
When this was reported to David, he sent messengers to meet these men who felt greatly ashamed and to tell them: “Stay in Jericho and return after your beards have grown.”
The Ammonites saw that David could no longer bear with them, so they sent for and hired the Arameans of Beth-Rehob and of Zobah, numbering twenty thousand foot soldiers, the king of Maacah with one thousand men and also twelve thousand men of Tob.
On hearing this, David sent out Joab with all the warriors.
The Ammonites came out in battle formation at the entrance gate while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah grouped separately in the open country.
When Joab saw two battlefronts, one in front of him and the other behind, he selected the men of Israel and arranged them in battle formation against the Syrians.
Then he entrusted the rest of his army to Abishai, his brother, and arranged them in battle formation against the Ammonites.
And he said: “If the Syrians are too strong for me, you shall help me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come to your assistance.
Take courage! Let us act like men for the sake of our people and God’s cities, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.”
Joab and the people who were with him launched the attack against the Arameans and put them to flight.
When the Ammonites saw the Arameans fleeing, they fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from his battle against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.
They gathered together when the Arameans saw that Israel had defeated them.
Hadadezer sent for the Syrians and brought them from beyond the Euphrates. They came to Helam with Shobach, the commander of Hadadezer’s army, leading them.
This was reported to David, who, in turn, gathered together all of Israel and came to Helam after crossing the Jordan. The Arameans then arranged themselves in battle formation and fought against David.
But they fled before Israel. David had seven hundred men in chariots and forty thousand horsemen killed. Shobach, too, the commander of their army, was slain and died there.
After being defeated by Israel, all the kings who depended on Hadadezer made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So, the Arameans no longer dared to help the Ammonites.
Commentaries
War Against the Ammonites.
From this point on, events unfold with intense tragedy. The author has saved the campaign against Ammon for the end because it marks the beginning of a new story arc. For the first time, the author shares details about the battle strategy and avoids vague descriptions of victory and defeat. The war against Ammon lasts several years, and the outcome is only described at the end of chapter 12. Two main battles are detailed here: the first, led by Joab, and the second, by David—the pattern repeats during the city’s capture. From verse 2, we can infer that David, while fleeing from Saul and being pursued, received help from the Ammonite king, which created a bond of loyalty. With a simple and honest gesture, David tries to keep good relations with his eastern neighbors. However, the courtiers of the new Ammonite king cannot tolerate David’s growing power and his kingdom. Remember how Joab tried to stir suspicion against Abner. Protecting a harassed subject is one thing, but supporting a rising neighboring king is quite another.