Day 117 – 2 Samuel 10:15-19
Scripture Review
2 Samuel 10:15-19
"And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together."
(2 Samuel 10:15)
The Syrians had already been beaten back, but instead of humbling themselves, they regrouped. That is often how pride works. They "saw" that they were smitten, but they did not yet submit to the lesson. A wise heart learns quickly when the LORD is correcting the path.
"And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them."
(2 Samuel 10:16)
Hadarezer calls in more strength, reaching for Syrians "beyond the river," most likely beyond the Euphrates as my commentary states. What began with the children of Ammon rejecting David's kindness now pulls in a larger Syrian force. "Shobach", the captain of the host, steps forward as the focal name here.
"And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him."
(2 Samuel 10:17)
When David is told him, he gathers "all Israel together." Earlier Joab led the battle, but now David himself comes to the conflict. He passes over Jordan and comes to Helam, meeting the enemy where they have arranged themselves for war.
"And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there."
(2 Samuel 10:18)
The Syrians "fled before Israel." They came with a huge military force, "seven hundred chariots" and "Forty thousand horsemen" yet they fled. All that strength breaks before the people God is defending. "Shobach", the captain who went before them in verse 16, dies here in verse 18. The man who led them into battle could not lead them out of judgment.
"And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more."
(2 Samuel 10:19)
The lesser kings under Hadarezer's influence finally understand what the Syrians should have learned earlier. God is giving David victory. These kings make peace and serve Israel. The Syrians also learn to stop helping Ammon. Ammon's trouble began with despising David's kindness. Now the nations connected to that rebellion are no longer supporting them.