2 Samuel 10:11 kjv
And 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.
2 Samuel 10:11 nkjv
Then he said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.
2 Samuel 10:11 niv
Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you.
2 Samuel 10:11 esv
And he said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.
2 Samuel 10:11 nlt
"If the Arameans are too strong for me, then come over and help me," Joab told his brother. "And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come and help you.
2 Samuel 10 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eccl 4:9-12 | "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil..." | Emphasizes benefits of companionship and mutual help. |
| Gal 6:2 | "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." | New Testament command for mutual support in love. |
| 1 Cor 12:25-26 | "that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another..." | Christian unity and reciprocal care in the church. |
| Rom 15:1 | "We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak..." | Strong Christians bearing the burdens of the weak. |
| Heb 12:12 | "Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees" | Exhortation to strengthen and encourage oneself and others. |
| Acts 4:32 | "Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul..." | Early church's unity and practical communal support. |
| 2 Sam 10:12 | "Be strong, and let us play the men for our people... may the Lord do what seems good to Him." | Joab's immediate follow-up, grounding human strategy in divine sovereignty. |
| Deut 20:1-4 | "When you go out to battle... do not be afraid of them... For the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you..." | God's assurance of His presence and fighting for Israel. |
| Ps 20:7-8 | "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God..." | Contrasts human reliance with trusting God for victory. |
| Ps 44:5-7 | "Through You we push down our foes... For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But You have saved us..." | Victory comes from God, not human might. |
| Prov 21:31 | "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD." | Human preparation combined with divine deliverance. |
| Isa 31:1 | "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses... but do not look to the Holy One of Israel..." | Warning against trusting solely in human alliances/might without God. |
| Zech 4:6 | "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the LORD of hosts. | Emphasizes divine power and the Holy Spirit's role. |
| Eph 6:10 | "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." | Command to derive spiritual strength from God. |
| Phil 4:13 | "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." | Strength for tasks provided by Christ. |
| Josh 1:6-7,9 | "Be strong and courageous... for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." | God's repeated command to Joshua, linked to His presence. |
| 1 Sam 17:45-47 | David's defiance of Goliath, stating: "For the battle is the LORD's..." | Victory comes because the battle belongs to the Lord. |
| Prov 15:22 | "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." | Importance of wise counsel in planning. |
| Prov 20:18 | "Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war." | Direct application of wise counsel to military strategy. |
| Luke 14:31-32 | Jesus' parable of a king planning for war by counting the cost. | Wisdom of preparation and strategic assessment. |
| Neh 4:13-14 | Nehemiah organizing guards with weapons while trusting God. | Prudent human defense combined with divine reliance. |
| 1 Kgs 20:11 | King of Israel to Ben-Hadad: "Let not him who puts on his armor boast like him who takes it off." | Wisdom regarding proper preparation, not premature boasting. |
2 Samuel 10 verses
2 Samuel 10 11 Meaning
This verse outlines a strategic contingency plan articulated by Joab to his brother Abishai before a crucial battle. Facing a two-pronged attack from the Syrians and Ammonites, Joab divided his forces. He instructed Abishai that if the Syrian forces proved overwhelming for Joab's division, Abishai should come to his aid. Conversely, if the Ammonites were too strong for Abishai's division, Joab would reciprocate with aid. This demonstrates Joab's military foresight, his commitment to mutual support, and the importance of unity and shared responsibility in the face of significant adversity.
2 Samuel 10 11 Context
2 Samuel chapter 10 recounts David's war with Ammon, ignited by King Hanun's egregious humiliation of David's ambassadors (2 Sam 10:1-5). Recognizing their grave insult, the Ammonites prepared for war by hiring a vast mercenary force of Syrians from various kingdoms (2 Sam 10:6). David, upon hearing this, sent his seasoned commander Joab and the entire mighty army to confront them (2 Sam 10:7). Upon arrival, Joab perceived that the enemy was arrayed on two fronts: the Ammonites at the city gate and the Syrians in the open field (2 Sam 10:8). In response, Joab strategically divided his army, taking command of one part against the Syrians and entrusting the other to his brother Abishai to face the Ammonites (2 Sam 10:9-10). Verse 11 directly follows this strategic deployment, outlining the critical contingency plan for mutual reinforcement between the two Israelite divisions, immediately preceding the decisive battle where Joab makes a powerful statement about God's role (2 Sam 10:12).
2 Samuel 10 11 Word analysis
- And he said: Refers to Joab, the military commander, emphasizing his authority and leadership in issuing these directives.
- If: (Hebrew: אִם, im) – This is a conditional particle, introducing a potential future scenario. It signifies Joab's foresight in planning for unforeseen difficulties or overwhelming enemy force, rather than assuming an easy victory.
- the Syrians: (Hebrew: אֲרָם, Aram) – Refers to the various Aramean (Syrian) kingdoms hired by the Ammonites (Zobah, Rehob, Ish-tob, Maacah). These were formidable warriors and represented a significant military threat, often noted for their chariots and military prowess. Joab knew the Syrians posed a grave danger.
- be too strong for me: (Hebrew: תֶּחֱזַק מִמֶּנִּי, techezaq mimmenni) – Derived from the root חזק (chazaq), meaning "to be strong, firm, hard, bold, courageous." Here, used reflexively or comparatively, it means "to be stronger than," "to prevail over," or "to overpower." It suggests a scenario where Joab's division faces overwhelming numerical or tactical superiority.
- then thou shalt come to help me: (Hebrew: וְהָיִיתָ לִּי לְתוֹשִׁיעַ, v'hayita li letoshi'a) – The word לְתוֹשִׁיעַ comes from the root ישׁע (yasha'), which means "to save, deliver, help, or give victory." This signifies a decisive act of intervention and rescue. It is a promise of effective, life-saving aid.
- but if: (Hebrew: וְאִם, v'im) – Introduces a second, reciprocal conditional clause, setting up a symmetrical arrangement of mutual support.
- the children of Ammon: (Hebrew: בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן, B'nei Ammon) – The Ammonites, descendants of Lot, long-standing adversaries of Israel (e.g., Judg 3:13, 1 Sam 11). They represented a distinct threat requiring a separate strategic approach.
- be too strong for thee: (Hebrew: יֶחְזְקוּ מִמְּךָ, yechzequ mimmekha) – Parallel to the first conditional, but applying to Abishai, meaning Abishai's forces face an overpowering enemy. This reinforces the balanced and reciprocal nature of the agreement.
- then I will come and help thee: (Hebrew: וּבָאתִי לְהוֹשִׁיעַ לָךְ, u'vati lehoshi'a lach) – A reciprocal promise from Joab, guaranteeing that he would provide rescue and decisive aid to Abishai if needed.
Words-group analysis
- "If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt come to help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.": This chiastic (ABBA) structure demonstrates the military foresight and wisdom of Joab. It highlights the principle of mutual dependence and strategic unity in warfare. This command not only provides practical guidance for battle but also strengthens morale and ensures a commitment to brotherly aid, crucial for Israel's cohesive army, even when divided on two fronts. This shared responsibility acknowledges the unpredictability of battle and reinforces that success requires coordinated action and mutual assurance, undergirded by trust in God.
2 Samuel 10 11 Bonus section
The concept of 'strength' (chazaq) appearing multiple times in this verse, first as a challenge (enemy being too strong) and then implicitly in the need for an overcoming response (to help), sets a stage for Joab's profound charge in 2 Samuel 10:12: "Be strong, and let us play the men." This linguistic echo highlights the resolve needed by God's people not just against human adversaries, but also in fulfilling their God-given duties, often even when facing what seems like overwhelming odds. This dynamic of facing external pressure (being 'too strong for us') and finding internal, often God-given, strength to respond effectively is a recurring biblical theme for individuals and the nation of Israel.
2 Samuel 10 11 Commentary
2 Samuel 10:11 provides a crucial insight into Joab's leadership as a military commander: his shrewdness, foresight, and understanding of the importance of mutual support among his troops. Faced with a divided enemy and potentially superior numbers, Joab devises a practical, reciprocal agreement with his brother Abishai. This isn't a sign of doubt in God, but an application of human wisdom and responsibility in the face of warfare, anticipating challenges and preparing for them. It underscores that reliance on God does not negate the need for strategic planning, discipline, and unity within the ranks. The passage directly sets the stage for Joab's subsequent theological declaration in verse 12, which roots this military strategy in trust in divine sovereignty, making clear that while they would act boldly and wisely, the ultimate outcome was in the Lord's hands. It’s a biblical model for combining human effort with divine dependence.