Day 116 – 2 Samuel 10:6-14
Scripture Review
2 Samuel 10:6-14
"And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men."
(2 Samuel 10:6)
The children of Ammon know they have made themselves offensive to David. The Bible says they "stank before David." That is a fitting but interesting word the Holy Spirit uses here. They know their insult to David's servants has created a serious breach. But instead of humbling themselves they hire soldiers. They hire 33,000 troops, not counting the Ammonites' own army.
"And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men."
(2 Samuel 10:7)
David hears what Ammon has done, and he sends Joab with "all the host of the mighty men." The rejected kindness of verses 1-5 has become a military intervention.
"And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field."
(2 Samuel 10:8)
The Ammonites set themselves at the entering of the gate, while the Syrians stand by themselves in the field. This creates a dangerous two-front situation. Joab cannot simply face one line of battle. There is an enemy before him and an enemy behind him. The Ammonites stay near their city gate, which gives them a defensive position. The hired Syrians spread out in the field, giving pressure from outside. Humanly speaking, this is a trap.
"When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:"
(2 Samuel 10:9)
Joab chooses the choice men of Israel and puts them against the Syrians. He takes the stronger or more mobile threat himself.
"And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon."
(2 Samuel 10:10)
Joab gives the rest of the people to Abishai his brother. He cannot personally stand in both places, so he entrusts one side of the fight to a faithful brother. Abishai has stood with David and Joab before. He is one of the sons of Zeruiah, a hard and fierce man, but also a proven warrior.
"And he said, 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)
Joab says, "If my side gets too heavy, you come help me. If your side gets too heavy, I will come help you." Joab admits the possibility that the Syrians could be too strong for him. He also knows the Ammonites might be too strong for Abishai. So they agree to watch one another and help one another.
"Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good."
(2 Samuel 10:12)
Joab says, "Be of good courage." Courage is needed here. "Let us play the men." That means act like men. Stand up. Do your duty. Do not fold under fear. And there is a reason to stand. "for our people, and for the cities of our God." They are not fighting for ego, revenge, or personal fame. They are fighting for the people and the cities that belong to God. "and the LORD do that which seemeth him good." Joab leaves the outcome with the LORD.
"And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him."
(2 Samuel 10:13)
Thousands had been gathered. "Joab drew nigh." The army advances toward the Syrians, and the Syrians flee before him. These hired soldiers looked strong in verse 6. But when Joab and the men with him draw near, the Syrians flee. The large number did not mean large courage.
"And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem."
(2 Samuel 10:14)
When the Ammonites see the Syrians flee, they flee too. They run back into the city. The two front trap falls apart because the LORD gives courage to His people and fear to their enemies. Joab returns to Jerusalem. The immediate battle is over and for now, the enemy coalition is broken.
Joab made a plan, trusted his brother, encouraged the men, fought for the people and the cities of God, and left the outcome with the LORD. A heart after God does not measure the battle only by the size of the enemy. Joab had the right prayer, "the LORD do that which seemeth him good."