2 Samuel 10

2 Samuel 10

Morgan - It is interesting to observe that in his arrangements he made no allowance for the possibility of ultimate defeat in his conflict with Ammon…. It does not seem to have occurred to him that the combination might have been too much for both of them.” 2 Samuel 10:9 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him in front and in the rear, he selected from all the choice men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Arameans. Jos 8:21,22 Jdg 20:42,43 JOAB FACES THE ARAMEANS IN FIELD Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him in front and in the rear, he selected from all the choice men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Arameans - Hebrew literally - “and Joab saw that the face of the battle was to him before and behind and he chose from all the best in Israel and arranged to meet Aram.” Joab trapped by enemy forces front and behind. Note he uses wisdom in dividing forces but he leaves it in the hand of the LORD (v12), a good pattern for all of us when we feel the enemy has us essentially surrounded! 2 Samuel 10:10 But the remainder of the people he placed in the hand of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the sons of Ammon. ABISHAI COMMANDS THE SECOND BATTALION But the remainder of the people he placed in the hand of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the sons of Ammon - Joab is preparing to take the tactic of "divide and conquer" and giving one division into the hands of his brother. Joab was wise because he knew that battle on two fronts would best be won by each of his armies being commanded by different commanders. 2 Samuel 10:11 He said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you. 1Ch 19:9-12 Ne 4:20 Lu 22:32 Ro 15:1 Ga 6:2 Php 1:27,28 Related Passages: 1 Chronicles 19:9-12 The sons of Ammon came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the city, and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field. 10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him in front and in the rear, he selected from all the choice men of Israel and they arrayed themselves against the Arameans. 11 But the remainder of the people he placed in the hand of Abshai his brother; and they arrayed themselves against the sons of Ammon. 12 He said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. WE WILL BE READY TO HELP THE ONE IN TROUBLE He said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you - Joab's forces would meet the mercenaries in the field who are seeking to trap him in a two-flank attack. Abishai's forces would attack the Ammonite forces in the city. Joab realized that a smaller force could fight a two-front battle to its own advantage if both commanders kept their heads and supplied reinforcements to the other front as needed. 2 Samuel 10:12 "Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight." BGT 2 Samuel 10:12 ἀνδρίζου καὶ κραταιωθῶμεν ὑπὲρ τοῦ λαοῦ ἡμῶν καὶ περὶ τῶν πόλεων τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν καὶ κύριος ποιήσει τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ LXE 2 Samuel 10:12 Be thou courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the sake of the cities of our God, and the Lord shall do that which is good in his eyes. KJV 2 Samuel 10:12 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. NET 2 Samuel 10:12 Be strong! Let's fight bravely for the sake of our people and the cities of our God! The LORD will do what he decides is best!" CSB 2 Samuel 10:12 Be strong! We must prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD's will be done." ESV 2 Samuel 10:12 Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him." NIV 2 Samuel 10:12 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight." NLT 2 Samuel 10:12 Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the LORD's will be done." NRS 2 Samuel 10:12 Be strong, and let us be courageous for the sake of our people, and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what seems good to him." NJB 2 Samuel 10:12 Be brave! Let us acquit ourselves like men for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God. And let Yahweh do as he thinks right!' NAB 2 Samuel 10:12 Be brave; let us prove our valor for the sake of our people and the cities of our God; the LORD will do what he judges best." YLT 2 Samuel 10:12 be strong and strengthen thyself for our people, and for the cities of our God, and Jehovah doth that which is good in His eyes.' GWN 2 Samuel 10:12 Be strong! Let's prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God, and the LORD will do what he considers right." BBE 2 Samuel 10:12 Take heart, and let us be strong for our people and for the towns of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him. RSV 2 Samuel 10:12 Be of good courage, and let us play the man for our people, and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what seems good to him." Be strong: Nu 13:20 De 31:6 Jos 1:6,7,9,18 1Sa 14:6,12 17:32 2Ch 32:7 Ne 4:14 Heb 13:6 let us show ourselves courageous: 1Sa 4:9 1Ch 19:13 1Co 16:13 may the LORD do what is good: 2Sa 16:10,11 Jdg 10:15 1Sa 3:18 Job 1:21 Related Passage: 1 Chronicles 19:13 “Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight.” 1 Samuel 3:18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD; let Him do what seems good to Him.” JOAB'S KEY TO VICTORY COMMIT THE OUTCOME TO YAHWEH Be strong (chazaq; Lxx - krataioo), and let us show ourselves courageous (chazaq; Lxx - andrizo - see 1Co 16:13 below - NJB = Let us acquit ourselves like men) for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight." - Hebrew literally = “and the LORD will do what is good in his eyes.” Notice the oft repeated "mysterious" (but very real) juxtaposition of Joab and Abishai doing their part (man's responsibility) while at the same time trusting in Yahweh's goodness (God's sovereignty). May the LORD do what is good in His sight - NET = "The LORD will do what he decides is best!" CSB = "May the LORD's will be done." ESV "may the LORD do what seems good to him." NIV = "The LORD will do what is good in his sight." NLT = "May the LORD's will be done." Most of these modern translations make Joab's words a prayer for the LORD'S will to be done ("May the..."). The NET and NIV see it as a declarative statement. Both translations show Joab's trust is in the LORD. Of course the fact that they are fighting for the cities of our God would certainly support that the good the LORD would do would be to support those fighting for His cities and His people Israel and not to support those who are fighting against them. One is reminded of Paul's wonderful words "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" (Ro 8:31+). Utley makes a good point - This passage shows the sense of national duty felt by the Israeli soldiers (for the sake of our people), but also the deep conviction that YHWH was with them (and He needed to be, since the Israelite army was vastly outnumbered). He was the key to victory in battle. However, this theological worldview (cf. 1Sa 3:18; 2Ch 19:11; 1Ch 32:7-8) did not keep them from strategizing (vv. 9-11). Somehow in the mystery of life both parts are important. David Guzik on Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous - Courage and strength are not matters of feeling and circumstance. They are matters of choice, especially when God makes His strength available to us. We can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). THOUGHT - Paul gives saints a parallel exhortation for we are all in warfare against strong invisible forces...1 Corinthians 16:13-14+ Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (Note there are five present imperatives all of which require us to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey.) The verb act like men (andrizo) is the same verb used in the Septuagint for let us show ourselves courageous. David Guzik on for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God Joab called them to remember all they had to lose. If they lost this battle they would lose both their people and their cities. This was a battle bigger than themselves, and the army of the mighty men had to remember that. TSK - This is a very animating address, and equal to any thing of the kind in ancient or modern times. Ye fight {pro aris et focis;} for every good, sacred and civil; for God, for your families, and for your countries. Such harangues, especially in very trying circumstances, are very natural, and may perhaps be found in the records of every nation. Several instances might be quoted from Roman and Grecian history; but few are more remarkable than that of Tyrtaeus, the lame Athenian poet, to whom the command of the army was given in one of the Messenian wars. The Spartans had at that time suffered great losses, and all their stratagems proved ineffectual, so that they began to despair of success; when the poet, by his lectures on honour and courage, delivered in moving verse to the army, ravished them to such a degree with the thoughts of dying for their country, that, rushing on with a furious transport to meet their enemies, they gave them an entire overthrow, and by one decisive battle brought the war to a happy conclusion. Be strong (Harden, encourage, hold fast, prevail, repair, seize) (02388) chazaq conveys the basic meaning of to be or become strong, to make strong or strengthen, in the Hiphil to take hold of or seize ("retain His anger" - Mic 7:18+), in the Hithpael to strengthen oneself (to take courage 1 Sa 30:6). To be courageous. To overpower. Chazaq describes strength - severity of a famine (a "strong" famine) (2 Ki 25:3, Jer 52:6), strength of humans to overpower (David and Goliath 1 Sa 17:50, cf 1 Sa 17:35 = seized;, Amnon and Tamar = 2 Sa 13:14), in a battle, to capture (2 Chr 8:3), Samson's last demonstration of supernatural strength he prays "please strengthen me" (Jdg 16:28). Used in the charge "Be strong and courageous" (Josh 1:6, 7, 9,18, Josh 10:25, "be firm" = Josh 23:6; "Be strong and courageous" = Dt 31:6-7, 23). Chazaq used 12 times in Ex 4-14 of hardening Pharaoh's heart (cf similar use in Josh 11:20). In a great passage in Da 11:32+ we read "“By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength (chazaq) and take action."" F B