II Samuel 10:1-19
“And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
Then said David, I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed 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. “ (II Samuel 10:1-2)
Most of the countries around Israel had made repeated raids against them. Saul had repelled them numerous times, but the only ones he had defeated soundly enough to stop their attacks were the Ammonites. When he died, The others were emboldened to try again, leading to David’s victories over them.
Thanks to his defeat by Saul, Nahash had not allowed the Ammonites to attack Israel again. Hoping to establish a similarly attitude of non-aggression with his son Hanun, David sent an envoy to carry his condolences when Nahash died.
“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?
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.” (II Samuel 10:3-4)
Every country seems to have those who live constantly on the defensive, constantly assuming everyone is out to get them, usually because that is their attitude toward others. Some of the Ammonite Leaders had that attitude and convinced Hanun that David was using the occasion to send spies to see if Nahash’s death might provide a window of opportunity for attack.
To send David a message, Hanun shaved one side of his messenger’s faces and chopped off their clothes at the waist, sending them home wearing nothing but their shirts to embarrass them. Even today, to treat ambassadors in such a fashion is considered a declaration of war, which is why the attack on the embassy at Benghazi is such a serious incident. It was especially embarrassing since God had told Israel, “Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard,” in Leviticus 19:27. Not only did they look silly, but they were violating God’s command.
“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.” (II Samuel 10:5)
David recognized their humiliation and recommended they stay at Jericho because it was an isolated area where people didn’t go until their beards had a chance to grow out enough they wouldn’t be embarrassed.
“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.” (II Samuel 10:6)
When you hurt or insult people, it should come as no surprise they get upset, and sometimes they hit back, but bullies like Nabal and Hanun ignore that possibility, convinced nobody will dare fight back. When they realized how upset David was, the Ammonites hired thirty three thousand troops from the Syrians to come help them fight Israel, escalating the hostilities.
“And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
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.” (II Samuel 10:7-8)
Learning that the Ammonites were amassing an army on the border, near present day Amman, David sent his army to stop them. The Ammonite forces were arrayed at the gate of the city, to defend it, while the Syrian forces were off to one side in the open field, where they could attack from behind.
“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: 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.
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. 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.” (II Samuel 10:9-12)
Recognizing the Ammonite strategy, Joab split his forces, placing the main army under his brother Abishai’s command and charging them to attack the Ammonite forces, while he took a contingent of special forces against the Syrian army. If either group needed help, they could call on the other for reinforcements. As he reminded them, they were fighting for Israel, and would depend on God to make things turn out the way he wanted them to.
“And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. 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.” (II Samuel 10:13-14)
Mercenaries have no real stake in the battle, so while they may be tremendous soldiers, they have little incentive to die for their employers, and may desert if they are convinced they are going to lose. The Syrians broke before Joab’s onslaught and fled from the field. The Ammonites had counted on their help and when they fled, retreated inside the fortress. With the threat of invasion removed, Joab returned to Jerusalem with the army.
“And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. 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. 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. 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. 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.” (II Samuel 10:15-19)
Embarrassed that Syrian forces had been defeated by Israel, the main Syrian king or emperor, Hadarezer gathered the entire Syrian army to attack Israel, and regain their reputation. David learned of their plans and assembled the army at Helam to stop them.
Israel defeated the Syrian forces, wiping out the men of seven hundred chariots, the equivalent of destroying seven hundred armored vehicles, today, as well as forty thousand horsemen, the most mobile strike force. It would be like taking out our Air Force and drones. They also killed the supreme commander, disrupting the chain of command.
Syrian power was broken, and the states they had controlled surrendered to David. The Ammonites alliance was destroyed, leaving them to fight alone if they continued to fight Israel.
“And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
Then said David, I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed 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. “ (II Samuel 10:1-2)
Most of the countries around Israel had made repeated raids against them. Saul had repelled them numerous times, but the only ones he had defeated soundly enough to stop their attacks were the Ammonites. When he died, The others were emboldened to try again, leading to David’s victories over them.
Thanks to his defeat by Saul, Nahash had not allowed the Ammonites to attack Israel again. Hoping to establish a similarly attitude of non-aggression with his son Hanun, David sent an envoy to carry his condolences when Nahash died.
“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?
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.” (II Samuel 10:3-4)
Every country seems to have those who live constantly on the defensive, constantly assuming everyone is out to get them, usually because that is their attitude toward others. Some of the Ammonite Leaders had that attitude and convinced Hanun that David was using the occasion to send spies to see if Nahash’s death might provide a window of opportunity for attack.
To send David a message, Hanun shaved one side of his messenger’s faces and chopped off their clothes at the waist, sending them home wearing nothing but their shirts to embarrass them. Even today, to treat ambassadors in such a fashion is considered a declaration of war, which is why the attack on the embassy at Benghazi is such a serious incident. It was especially embarrassing since God had told Israel, “Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard,” in Leviticus 19:27. Not only did they look silly, but they were violating God’s command.
“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.” (II Samuel 10:5)
David recognized their humiliation and recommended they stay at Jericho because it was an isolated area where people didn’t go until their beards had a chance to grow out enough they wouldn’t be embarrassed.
“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.” (II Samuel 10:6)
When you hurt or insult people, it should come as no surprise they get upset, and sometimes they hit back, but bullies like Nabal and Hanun ignore that possibility, convinced nobody will dare fight back. When they realized how upset David was, the Ammonites hired thirty three thousand troops from the Syrians to come help them fight Israel, escalating the hostilities.
“And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
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.” (II Samuel 10:7-8)
Learning that the Ammonites were amassing an army on the border, near present day Amman, David sent his army to stop them. The Ammonite forces were arrayed at the gate of the city, to defend it, while the Syrian forces were off to one side in the open field, where they could attack from behind.
“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: 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.
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. 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.” (II Samuel 10:9-12)
Recognizing the Ammonite strategy, Joab split his forces, placing the main army under his brother Abishai’s command and charging them to attack the Ammonite forces, while he took a contingent of special forces against the Syrian army. If either group needed help, they could call on the other for reinforcements. As he reminded them, they were fighting for Israel, and would depend on God to make things turn out the way he wanted them to.
“And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. 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.” (II Samuel 10:13-14)
Mercenaries have no real stake in the battle, so while they may be tremendous soldiers, they have little incentive to die for their employers, and may desert if they are convinced they are going to lose. The Syrians broke before Joab’s onslaught and fled from the field. The Ammonites had counted on their help and when they fled, retreated inside the fortress. With the threat of invasion removed, Joab returned to Jerusalem with the army.
“And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. 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. 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. 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. 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.” (II Samuel 10:15-19)
Embarrassed that Syrian forces had been defeated by Israel, the main Syrian king or emperor, Hadarezer gathered the entire Syrian army to attack Israel, and regain their reputation. David learned of their plans and assembled the army at Helam to stop them.
Israel defeated the Syrian forces, wiping out the men of seven hundred chariots, the equivalent of destroying seven hundred armored vehicles, today, as well as forty thousand horsemen, the most mobile strike force. It would be like taking out our Air Force and drones. They also killed the supreme commander, disrupting the chain of command.
Syrian power was broken, and the states they had controlled surrendered to David. The Ammonites alliance was destroyed, leaving them to fight alone if they continued to fight Israel.
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