10:2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of
Nahash, as his father a 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.
(a) The children of God are not unmindful of a benefit
received.
10:3 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, b to search
the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
(b) Their arrogant malice would not allow them to see the
simplicity of David's heart: therefore their counsel
turned to the destruction of their country.
10:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they c 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.
(c) That they deserved David's displeasure, for the harm
done to his ambassadors.
10:8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in
array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of
d Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, [were] by
themselves in the field.
(d) These were various parts of the country of Syria, by
which it appears that the Syrians served where they
might have entertainment, as now the Sweitzers do.
10:12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for e our
people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do
that which seemeth him good.
(e) Here it is declared why war should be undertaken: for
the defence of true religion and God's people.
10:17 And when it was told David, he gathered f all Israel
together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And
the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and
fought with him.
(f) Meaning, the greatest part.
10:18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew [the
men of] g seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and
forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of
their host, who died there.
(g) Who were the chief and most principal: for in all he
destroyed 7000, as in (1Ch 19:18), or the soldiers
who were in 700 chariots.
