II
S A M U E L
CHAP. X.
This
chapter gives us an account of a war David has with the Ammonites and the
Syrians their allies, with the occasion and success of it. I. David sent a
friendly embassy to Hanun king of the Ammonites, ver. 1, 2. II. He, upon a
base surmise that it was ill intended, abused David's ambassadors, ver. 3, 4.
III. David resenting it (ver. 5), and the Ammonites prepared for war against
him, ver. 6. IV. David carried the war into their country, sent against them.
Joab and Abishai, who addressed themselves to the battle with a great deal of
conduct and bravery, ver. 7-12. V. The Ammonites, and the Syrians their
allies, were totally routed, ver. 13, 14. VI. The forces of the Syrians, which
rallied again, were a second time defeated, ver. 15-19. Thus did David advance
his own reputation for gratitude, in returning kindness, and for justice, in
repaying injuries.
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Hanun's Usage of David's Servants.
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B. C. 1038.
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1
And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died,
and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. 2 Then said David, I will
shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto
me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father.
And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord,
Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters
unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search
the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? 4 Wherefore
Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and
cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent
them away. 5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet
them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at
Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
Here is, I. The great respect David paid to his neighbour, the king of the
Ammonites, v. 1, 2. 1. The inducement to it was some kindness he had
formerly received from Nahash the deceased king. He showed kindness to me,
says David (v. 2), and therefore (having lately had satisfaction in
showing kindness to Mephibosheth for his father's sake) he resolves to show
kindness to his son, and to keep up a friendly correspondence with him. Thus
the pleasure of doing one kind and generous action should excite us to
another. Nahash had been an enemy to Israel, a cruel enemy (1 Sam. xi. 2), and
yet had shown kindness to David, perhaps only in contradiction to Saul, who
was unkind to him: however, if David receives kindness, he is not nice in
examining the grounds and principles of it, but resolves gratefully to return
it. If a Pharisee give alms in pride, though God will not reward him, yet he
that receives the alms ought to return thanks for it. God knows the heart, but
we do not. 2. The particular instance of respect was sending an embassy to
condole with him on his father's death, as is common among princes in alliance
with each other: David sent to comfort him. Note, It is a comfort to
children, when their parents are dead, to find that their parents' friends are
theirs, and that they intend to keep up an acquaintance with them. It is a
comfort to mourners to find that there are those who mourn with them, are
sensible of their loss and share with them in it. It is a comfort to those who
are honouring the memory of their deceased relations to find there are others
who likewise honour it and who had a value for those whom they valued.
II. The great affront which Hanun the king of the Ammonites put upon David in
his ambassadors. 1. He hearkened to the spiteful suggestions of his princes,
who insinuated that David's ambassadors, under pretence of being comforters,
were sent as spies, v. 3. False men are ready to think others as false
as themselves; and those that bear ill-will to their neighbours are resolved
not to believe that their neighbours bear any good-will to them. They would
not thus have imagined that David dissembled but that they were conscious to
themselves that they could have dissembled, to serve a turn. Unfounded
suspicion argues a wicked mind. Bishop Patrick's note on this is that
"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." Men of the greatest
honour and virtue must not think it strange if they be thus misrepresented. Charity
thinketh no evil. 2. Entertaining this vile suggestion, he basely abused
David's ambassadors, like a man of a sordid villainous spirit, that was fitter
to rake a kennel than to wear a crown. If he had any reason to suspect that
David's messengers came on a bad design, he would have done prudently enough
to be upon the reserve with them, and to dismiss them as soon as he could; but
it is plain he only sought an occasion to put the utmost disgrace he could
upon them, out of an antipathy to their king and their country. They were
themselves men of honour, and much more so as they represented the prince that
sent them; they and their reputation were under the special protection of the
law of nations; they put a confidence in the Ammonites, and came among them
unarmed; yet Hanun used them like rogues and vagabonds, and worse, shaved
off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the midst,
to expose them to the contempt and ridicule of his servants, that they might
make sport with them and that these men might seem vile.
III. David's tender concern for his servants that were thus abused. He sent to
meet them, and to let them know how much he interested himself in their
quarrel and how soon he would avenge it, and directed them to stay at Jericho,
a private place, where they would not have occasion to come into company, till
that half of their beards which was shaved off had grown to such a length that
the other half might be decently cut to it, v. 5. The Jews wore their
beards long, reckoning it an honour to appear aged and grave; and therefore it
was not fit that persons of their rank and figure should appear at court
unlike their neighbours. Change of raiment, it is likely, they had with them,
to put on, instead of that which was cut off; but the loss of their beards
would not be so soon repaired; yet in time these would grow again, and all
would be well. Let us learn not to lay too much to heart unjust reproaches;
after awhile they will wear off of themselves, and turn only to the shame of
their authors, while the injured reputation 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. xxxvii. 6, 7.
Some have thought that David, in the indignity he received from the king of
Ammon, was but well enough served for courting and complimenting that pagan
prince, whom he knew to be an inveterate enemy to Israel, and might now
remember how, when he would have put out the right eyes of the men of Jabesh-Gilead,
he designed that, as he did this, for a reproach upon all Israel, 1
Sam. xi. 2. What better usage could he expect from such a spiteful family and
people? Why should he covet the friendship of a people whom Israel must have
so little to do with as that an Ammonite might not enter into the
congregation of the Lord, even to the tenth generation? Deut. xxiii. 3.
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The
Ammonites and Syrians Defeated.
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B. C. 1037.
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6
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children
of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba,
twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob
twelve thousand men. 7 And when David heard of it, he sent
Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. 8 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. 9 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: 10
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.
11 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. 12 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. 13 And Joab drew nigh,
and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians:
and they fled before him. 14 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.
Here we have, I. The preparation which the Ammonites made for war, v.
6. They saw they had made themselves very odious to David and obnoxious to his
just displeasure. This they might easily have foreseen when they abused his
ambassadors, which was no other than a challenge to war, and a bold defiance
of him. Yet, it seems, they had not considered how unable they were, with
their thousands, to meet his; for now they found themselves an unequal match,
and were forced to hire forces of other nations into their service. Thus
sinners daringly provoke God, and expose themselves to his wrath, and never
consider that he is stronger than they, 1 Cor. x. 22. The Ammonites
gave the affront first, and they were the first that raised forces to justify
it. Had they humbled themselves, and begged David's pardon, probably an
honorary satisfaction might have atoned for the offence. But, when they were
thus desperately resolved to stand by what they had done, they courted their
own ruin.
II. The speedy descent which David's forces made upon them, v. 7. When
David heard of their military preparations, he sent Joab with a great army to
attack them, v. 7. Those that are at war with the Son of David not only
give the provocation, but begin the war; for he waits to be gracious,
but they strengthen themselves against him, and therefore, if they
turn not, he will whet his sword, Ps. vii. 12. God has forces to send
against those that set his wrath at defiance (Isa. v. 19), which will convince
them, when it is too late, that none ever hardened his heart against God
and prospered. It was David's prudence to carry the war into their
country, and fight them at the entering in of the gate of their capital city, Rabbah,
as some think, or Medeba, a city in their borders, before which they
pitched to guard their coast, 1 Chron. xix. 7. Such are the terrors and
desolations of war that every good prince will, in love to his people, keep it
as much as may be at a distance from them.
III. Preparations made on both sides for an engagement. 1. The enemy disposed
themselves into two bodies, one of Ammonites, which, being their own, were
posted at the gate of the city; the other of Syrians, whom they had taken into
their pay, and who were therefore posted at a distance in the field, to charge
the forces of Israel in the flank or rear, while the Ammonites charged them in
the front, v. 8. 2. Joab, like a wise general, was soon aware of the
design, and accordingly divided his forces: the choicest men he took under his
own command, to fight the Syrians, whom probably he knew to be the better
soldiers, and, being hired men, better versed in the arts of war, v. 9.
The rest of the forces he put under the command of Abishai his brother, to
engage the Ammonites, v. 10. It should seem, Joab found the enemy so
well prepared to receive them that his conduct and courage were never so tried
as now.
IV. Joab's speech before the battle, v. 11, 12. It is not long, but
pertinent, and brave. 1. He prudently concerts the matter with Abishai his
brother, that the dividing of the forces might not be the weakening of them,
but that, which part soever was borne hard upon, the other should come in to
its assistance. He supposes the worst, that one of them should be obliged to
give back; and in that case, upon a signal given, the other should send a
detachment to relieve it. Note, Mutual helpfulness is brotherly duty. If
occasion be, thou shalt help me, and I will help thee. Christ's
soldiers should thus strengthen one another's hands in their spiritual
warfare. The strong must succour and help the weak. Those that through grace
are conquerors over temptation must counsel, and comfort, and pray for, those
that are tempted. When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren,
Luke xxii. 32. The members of the natural body help one another, 1 Cor. xii.
21. 2. He bravely encourages himself, and his brother, and the rest of the
officers and soldiers, to do their utmost. Great dangers put an edge upon true
courage. When Joab saw the front of the battle was against him, both before
and behind, instead of giving orders to make an honourable retreat, he
animated his men to charge so much more furiously: Be of good courage and
let us play the men, not for pay and preferment, for honour and fame, but for
our people, and for the cities of our God, for the public safety and
welfare, in which the glory of God is so much interested. God and our
country was the word. "Let us be valiant, from a principle of love to
Israel, that are our people, descended from the same stock, for whom we are
employed, and in whose peace we shall have peace; and from a principle of love
to God, for they are his cities that we are fighting in the defence of."
The relation which any person or thing stands in to God should endear it to
us, and engage us to do our utmost in its service. 3. He piously leaves the
issue with God: "When we have done our part, according to the duty of our
place, let the Lord do that which seemeth to him good." Let
nothing be wanting in us, whatever the success be; let God's work be done by
us, and then God's will be done concerning us. When we make conscience of
doing our duty we may, with the greatest satisfaction, leave the event with
God, not thinking that our valour binds him to prosper us, but that still he
may do as he pleases, yet hoping for his salvation in his own way and time.
V. The victory Joab obtained over the confederate forces of Syria and Ammon, v.
13, 14. He provided for the worst, and put the case that the Syrians and
Ammonites might prove too strong for him (v. 11), but he proved too
strong for them both. We do not hinder our success by preparing for
disappointment. The Syrians were first routed by Joab, and then the Ammonites
by Abishai; the Ammonites seem not to have fought at all, but, upon the
retreat of the Syrians, to have fled into the city. It is a temptation to
soldiers to fly when they have a city at their backs to fly to. It is one
thing when men may either fight or fly and another thing when they must either
fight or die.
15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel,
they gathered themselves together. 16 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. 17 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. 18 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. 19 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.
Here is, 1. A new attempt of the Syrians to recover their lost honour and to
check the progress of David's victorious arms. The forces that were lately
dispersed rallied again, and gathered themselves together, v.
15. 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, Matt, xxii. 34; Rev. xix. 19. These,
being conscious of their insufficiency, called in the aid of their allies and
dependencies on the other side of the river (v. 16), and, being
thus recruited, they hoped to make their part good against Israel, but they
knew not the thoughts of the Lord, for he gathered them as sheaves into the
floor; see Mic. iv. 11-13. 2. The defeat of this attempt by the vigilance
and valour of David, who, upon notice of their design, resolved not to stay
till they attacked him, but went in person at the head of his army over Jordan
(v. 17), and, in a pitched battle, routed the Syrians (v. 18),
slew 7000 men, who belonged to 700 chariots, and 40,000 other soldiers, horse
and foot, as appears by comparing 1 Chron. xix. 18. Their general was killed
in the battle, and David came home in triumph, no doubt. 3. The consequence of
this victory over the Syrians. (1.) David gained several tributaries, v.
19. The kings, or petty princes, that had been subject to Hadarezer,
when they saw how powerful David was, very wisely made peace with Israel,
whom they found they could not make war with, and served them, since
they were able to give them protection. Thus the promise made to Abraham (Gen.
xv. 18), and repeated to Joshua (ch. i. 4), that the borders of Israel
should extend to the river Euphrates, was performed, at length. (2.) The
Ammonites lost their old allies: The Syrians feared to help the children of
Ammon, not because they had an unrighteous cause (justifying a crime which
was a breach of the law of nations), but because they found it was an
unsuccessful cause. It is dangerous helping those that have God against them;
for, when they fall, their helpers will fall with them.
Jesus Christ, the Son of David, sent his ambassadors, his apostles and
ministers, after all his servants the prophets, to the Jewish church and
nation; but they treated them shamefully, as Hanun did David's ambassadors,
mocked them, abused them, slew them; and it was this that filled the measure
of their iniquity, and brought upon them ruin without remedy (Matt. xxi. 35,
41; xxii. 7; compare 2 Chron. xxvi. 16); for Christ takes the affronts and
injuries done to his ministers as done to himself and will avenge them
accordingly.
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