2 Samuel 10 10

2 Samuel 10:10 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 10:10 nkjv

And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, that he might set them in battle array against the people of Ammon.

2 Samuel 10:10 niv

He put the rest of the men under the command of Abishai his brother and deployed them against the Ammonites.

2 Samuel 10:10 esv

The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites.

2 Samuel 10:10 nlt

He left the rest of the army under the command of his brother Abishai, who was to attack the Ammonites.

2 Samuel 10 verses

2 Samuel 10 10 Meaning

2 Samuel 10:10 describes Joab's crucial military strategy during the conflict against the combined forces of the Arameans and Ammonites. Recognizing the two-front threat, Joab divides the Israelite army: he himself leads the elite troops against the stronger Aramean contingent, while entrusting the remaining portion of the forces, "the rest of the people," to his brother Abishai. Abishai's specific assignment is to organize and array these troops for direct engagement against the Ammonites. This verse showcases Joab's tactical acumen and his trust in his brother's command, demonstrating a coordinated approach to overcoming a multi-faceted enemy threat.

2 Samuel 10 10 Context

2 Samuel chapter 10 recounts a pivotal moment in David's reign, leading to a significant war against the Ammonites and their Aramean allies. The conflict arose when David, intending kindness to the newly crowned Ammonite king Hanun as a gesture of respect after his father Nahash's death, sent envoys. However, Hanun's advisors misinterpreted David's intent, convincing the king that the envoys were spies. In a profound act of humiliation and insult, Hanun shaved off half their beards and cut off their garments in the middle. This outrage demanded a strong response from David, as it brought severe dishonor upon Israel. The Ammonites, anticipating David's retaliation, wisely hired powerful Aramean mercenary armies from Zoba, Rehob, Ish-Tob, and Maacah, forming a formidable two-front opposition. Joab, David's highly capable general, led the Israelite forces to confront this alliance. Upon seeing the enemy forces arrayed in two distinct lines—one of Ammonites and one of the Arameans—Joab masterfully devised a strategy. Verse 10 outlines this critical division of command: Joab took responsibility for the main, presumably stronger, Aramean threat with his elite troops (as noted in v. 9), while entrusting Abishai, his loyal brother, with the task of preparing the remaining forces to engage the Ammonites. This calculated decision ensured a coordinated and robust defense against a numerically superior and strategically complex enemy.

2 Samuel 10 10 Word analysis

• And the rest of the people (וְאֵת יֶתֶר הָעָם - wə'ēt yetar hā'ām):

  • יֶתֶר (yetar) means "remainder," "rest," or "surplus." It indicates the portion of the Israelite army not selected by Joab for his elite force.
  • הָעָם (hā'ām) refers specifically to "the people" in a military context, meaning the general soldiery or military contingent.
  • Significance: This was not an assignment of inferior troops but a strategic distribution of resources. Joab committed the greater bulk of the army to Abishai, acknowledging the need to cover both enemy flanks effectively. It shows practical division of a larger unit into specialized fighting components.

• he delivered (נָתַן - nāṯan):

  • Root נתן (nathan) signifies "to give," "to place," "to entrust," or "to commit."
  • Significance: Joab actively and purposefully delegated authority. This verb indicates a deliberate and formal act of commissioning troops and assigning full command to Abishai, highlighting an act of trust and transfer of responsibility within military command structure.

• into the hand of (בְּיַד - bəyaḏ):

  • יַד (yad) is "hand." In this idiomatic usage, "into the hand of" denotes into the authority, power, control, or custody of someone.
  • Significance: It emphasizes that Abishai was given full operational control and responsibility over these troops, enabling him to make real-time decisions regarding their deployment and engagement.

• Abishai his brother (אֲבִישַׁי אָחִיו - ʼĂḇîšay ʼāḥîw):

  • אֲבִישַׁי ('Ăḇîšay): Abishai, Joab's brother, and David's nephew, a prominent leader among David's mighty men and a fierce, reliable warrior (2 Sam 23:18-19).
  • אָחִיו ('āḥîw): "his brother."
  • Significance: The familial connection underscores a deep level of trust and established partnership. Abishai's proven military capabilities made him an ideal choice for this crucial command, ensuring competent leadership in the face of danger. This shared command highlighted solidarity at the highest military levels.

• that he might put them in array (וַיַעֲרֹךְ לָקְרַאת - wayya‘ărōḵ lāqraṯ):

  • עָרַךְ (‘āraḵ): "to arrange," "to set in order," "to prepare," specifically "to draw up a battle line" or "to set in battle array."
  • לָקְרַאת (lāqraṯ): "to meet," "against."
  • Significance: Abishai was tasked with the critical tactical role of organizing the soldiers into their fighting formation, selecting the terrain, and preparing for the direct engagement with the enemy. This was not a general directive but a specific military instruction to establish a battle-ready formation.

• against the Ammonites (בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן - bənê ‘ammôn):

  • בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן (bənê ‘ammôn): "sons of Ammon," identifying the specific enemy group assigned to Abishai.
  • Significance: This clearly delineates the target and the strategic separation of the battlefields. It pinpoints the direct responsibility of Abishai's contingent in engaging one of the two enemy forces, reinforcing the concept of a multi-directional defense.

2 Samuel 10 10 Bonus section

The account of Joab's leadership here offers insight into ancient Israelite military logistics. The division of forces demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of battle formation, particularly against a dual-front attack, where engaging each enemy independently but coordinately was key. Joab's strategic communication with Abishai (as seen in the following verse) also highlights the importance of shared objectives and readiness for mutual reinforcement on the battlefield. The fact that David dispatched "all the army, the mighty men" (2 Sam 10:7) emphasizes the seriousness of the affront and the national resolve to respond with overwhelming force, but Joab's genius lies in organizing this vast force effectively.

2 Samuel 10 10 Commentary

2 Samuel 10:10 stands as a succinct testament to Joab's exceptional leadership and strategic foresight in a challenging military situation. Faced with a cunning enemy that had secured powerful mercenary allies and positioned themselves to attack from two sides, Joab responded with tactical brilliance. His decision to divide his forces, personally taking command of the most potent threat (the Arameans) and entrusting the other major contingent to his highly capable brother, Abishai, speaks volumes about his judgment and the collaborative spirit within David’s military command. This was not merely a division of troops but a careful allocation of resources to meet specific threats, highlighting a well-conceived plan rather than improvisation. The verse implicitly underscores the necessity of clear command, effective delegation, and mutual support—principles vital for success in any complex undertaking, be it military, organizational, or even spiritual. The outcome of this precise arrangement (detailed in subsequent verses) confirmed the wisdom of Joab's strategic mind, securing victory for Israel.