II Samuel

aThis chapter is found also in 1 Chron. 19. Sometime afterward, the king of Ammon died, and his son Hanun succeeded him as king.

David said, “I will keep faith with Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father kept faith with me.” He sent his courtiers with a message of condolence to him over his father. But when David’s courtiers came to the land of Ammon,

the Ammonite officials said to their lord Hanun, “Do you think David is really honoring your father just because he sent you consolers? Why, David has sent his courtiers to you to explore and spy out the city, and to overthrowboverthrow Emendation yields “reconnoiter”; cf. Deut. 1.22; Josh. 2.2–3. it.”

So Hanun seized David’s courtiers, clipped off one side of their beards and cut away half of their garments at the buttocks, and sent them off.

When David was told about the men,cthe men Moved up from later in the verse for clarity. he dispatched others to meet them, for they were greatly embarrassed. And the king gave orders: “Stop in Jericho until your beards grow back; then you can return.”

The Ammonites realized that they had incurred the wrath ofdincurred the wrath of See note at 1 Sam. 13.4. David. So the Ammonites sent agents and hired Arameans of Beth-rehob and Arameans of Zobah—20,000 foot soldiers—and the king of Maacah [with both his] 1,000 men and Tob’seTob’s I.e., from the region called Tob, in Transjordan near Maacah (cf. Judg. 11.3). contingent of 12,000 men.fand the king of Maacah … 12,000 men Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

On learning this, David sent out Joab and the entire army of mighty soldiers.

The Ammonites marched out and took up their battle position at the entrance of the gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and Tob’s contingent and Maacah took their stand separately in the open.

Joab saw that there was a battle line against him both front and rear. So he made a selection from all the best soldiers of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans,

and the rest of the troops he put under the command of his brother AbishaigAbishai Heb. “Abshai.” and arrayed them against the Ammonites.

[Joab] said, “If the Arameans prove too strong for me, you come to my aid; and if the Ammonites prove too strong for you, I will come to your aid.

Let us be strong and resolute for the sake of our people and the landhland Lit. “towns.” of our God; and accept the outcome that GOD deems right.”

Joab and the troops with him marched into battle against the Arameans, who fled before him.

And when the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they fled before Abishai and withdrew into the city. So Joab broke off the attack against the Ammonites, and went to Jerusalem.

When the Arameans saw that they had been routed by Israel, they regrouped their forces.

HadadezeriHadadezer Many editions read “Hadarezer.” sent for and brought out the Arameans from across the Euphrates; they came to Helam, led by Shobach, Hadadezer’sjHadadezer’s Many editions read “Hadarezer’s.” army commander.

David was informed of it; he assembled all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Arameans drew up their forces against David and attacked him;

but the Arameans were put to flight by Israel. David killed 700 Aramean chariot teams and 40,000 riders;kriders Or “foot soldiers”; cf. 1 Chron. 19.18. he also struck down Shobach, Hadadezer’slHadadezer’s Heb. “his.” army commander, who died there.

And when all the vassal kings of HadadezermHadadezer Many editions read “Hadarezer.” saw that they had been routed by Israel, they submitted to Israel and became their vassals. And the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.