History · Chapter 10 of 24

2 Samuel 10

David sends envoys to comfort Hanun, the new Ammonite king, honoring the kindness of Hanun's late father. Hanun's princes convince him the men are spies; he humiliates them by shaving half their beards and cutting off their garments. Facing David's justified anger, Ammon hires Syrian mercenaries. Joab and Abishai defeat the combined armies, and David routs the Syrians at Helam, ending their alliance with Ammon.

What happens in 2 Samuel 10

When Nahash king of Ammon dies, David sends servants to comfort his son Hanun, remembering the kindness Nahash had shown. Hanun's princes persuade him that the comforters are really spies sent to overthrow the city. Hanun seizes David's envoys, shaves off half of each man's beard, cuts their garments off at the hip, and sends them away shamed. David, hearing of their humiliation, tells them to stay at Jericho until their beards grow back.

Realizing they have made themselves odious to David, the Ammonites hire Syrian mercenaries from several kingdoms. Joab, facing enemies before and behind, divides his forces with his brother Abishai, urging courage for their people and God's cities, and both Syrians and Ammonites flee. When the Syrians regroup under Shobach, David himself crosses the Jordan and defeats them at Helam, and the Syrian kings make peace with Israel.

2 Samuel 10 in context

Sending condolence envoys was normal diplomacy between allied kings, and Nahash may have aided David during his years fleeing Saul. Hanun's advisors, perhaps fearing David's growing power, poison his judgment. Shaving a man's beard and exposing his body were deep humiliations in that culture, an insult to the whole nation.

The battle account continues the wars of chapter 8 and sets up the fateful spring campaign against Ammon in chapter 11.

Main themes of 2 Samuel 10

2 Samuel 10 (KJV)

1And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. 2Then 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. 3And 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? 4Wherefore 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. 5When 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. 6And 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. 7And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. 8And 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. 9When 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: 10And 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. 11And 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. 12Be 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. 13And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. 14And 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. 15And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16And 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. 17And 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. 18And 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. 19And 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.

Verses to carry from 2 Samuel 10

“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.”2 Samuel 10:2

“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.”2 Samuel 10:4

“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

Reflection

Have you ever met an act of kindness with suspicion, reading a threat into a gift? Hanun's fear cost his nation dearly. Consider, too, Joab's balance: plan wisely, act bravely, and then release the outcome to God. Faithfulness is doing your part and trusting him with the rest.

A prayer from 2 Samuel 10