2 Samuel 10 13

2 Samuel 10:13 kjv

And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.

2 Samuel 10:13 nkjv

So Joab and the people who were with him drew near for the battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him.

2 Samuel 10:13 niv

Then Joab and the troops with him advanced to fight the Arameans, and they fled before him.

2 Samuel 10:13 esv

So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him.

2 Samuel 10:13 nlt

When Joab and his troops attacked, the Arameans began to run away.

2 Samuel 10 verses

2 Samuel 10 13 Meaning

2 Samuel 10:13 describes a pivotal moment in the war between Israel and the combined forces of Ammon and Aramean mercenaries. It succinctly states that Joab, Israel's commander, immediately engaged the formidable Aramean army. The result was a swift and decisive victory, as the Arameans fled in disarray from the face of Joab and the Israelite army. This outcome highlights God's power at work through Israel's military might, bringing swift judgment upon Israel's adversaries.

2 Samuel 10 13 Context

This verse is situated during a significant period of military expansion and consolidation for King David's reign. The conflict originated from King Hanun of Ammon publicly humiliating David's envoys, breaking ancient Near Eastern diplomatic norms and triggering a declaration of war. The Ammonites, sensing their weakness against David's seasoned army, hired a large contingent of Aramean mercenaries from various northern kingdoms like Beth-Rehob, Zobah, Maacah, and Tob, intensifying the threat. Joab, as David's military commander, was sent with Israel's army to engage this combined force. Recognizing the two-front threat (Ammonites at the city gate and Arameans in the open field), Joab strategically divided his forces, taking command against the formidable Arameans himself, while entrusting the Ammonite front to his brother Abishai. 2 Samuel 10:13 details the swift and successful outcome of Joab's direct engagement with the Arameans, showcasing not only Israel's military might but, implicitly, the divine hand that grants victory. It immediately precedes the account of Abishai's successful repulsion of the Ammonites and the complete rout of the Arameans in 2 Samuel 10:14.

2 Samuel 10 13 Word analysis

• So (וַיִּגַּשׁ – vayigash): This connective word marks a direct and immediate consequence. Following Joab's strategic deployment in the preceding verses, "So" signifies the commencement of the intended action without delay, highlighting the military discipline and decisiveness.
• Joab (יוֹאָב – Yo'av): David's nephew and commander-in-chief of Israel's army. His character is one of tactical brilliance, courage, and decisive, sometimes ruthless, action (e.g., his role in Uriah's death, or Absalom's). Here, he epitomizes military leadership, taking the initiative against the stronger enemy force as detailed in 2 Sam 10:9-10. His presence symbolizes the direct engagement of David's kingdom in warfare.
• and the people with him (וְהָעָם אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ – v'ha'am asher itto): This refers to the main division of the Israelite army that Joab led, entrusted with the task of facing the well-regarded Aramean forces. It underscores the collective effort and the unified response under Joab's command.
• drew near (וַיִּגַּשׁ – vayigash): A repeated verb (from the opening "So"), emphasizing swift, purposeful approach and engagement. The root nagash means to approach, draw nigh, or present oneself, conveying a determined advance directly into confrontation, rather than a hesitant posture.
• for the battle (לַמִּלְחָמָה – lamilchamah): Directly states the intention and nature of the engagement: a formal, large-scale military confrontation. It's not a skirmish, but a decisive encounter.
• against the Arameans (אֶל-אֲרָם – el-aram): Identifies the specific, powerful enemy. The Arameans were a collection of independent Aramaic-speaking city-states or kingdoms (such as Zobah and Beth-Rehob mentioned in verse 6), often vying for regional dominance and known for their martial capabilities. The conflict against them represented a significant military challenge and victory over them highlighted Israel's growing power under David, and more profoundly, the supremacy of Israel's God over any pagan deities or military might the Arameans relied upon. This subtly forms a polemic against the Aramean gods, as their worshippers fled before the God of Israel's army.
• and they fled (וַיָּנֻסוּ – vayanusu): This crucial outcome word means to flee, run away. The instantaneous and immediate flight of the enemy signals a complete rout and often in biblical narratives suggests divine intervention causing panic or a morale collapse beyond mere military superiority (compare to passages where God puts fear in enemies). The decisive nature of this flight indicates overwhelming victory.
• before him (מִפָּנָיו – mippanav - literally, "from his face" or "from his presence"): This phrase highlights the direct effect of Joab's charge. It's not a tactical retreat, but a panicky flight directly triggered by the approach and might of Joab's force. Implicitly, it is the fear of God’s presence within the Israelite army that causes their enemies to scatter, aligning with divine promises that enemies would flee before Israel (e.g., Deut 28:7).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "So Joab and the people with him drew near for the battle": This phrase highlights decisive and strategic action. Joab, as the seasoned commander, wastes no time, moving directly to engage the more formidable enemy force. This is not a reactive defense but an assertive offensive, showcasing leadership and military prowess. The presence of "the people with him" signifies the unified and prepared Israelite army executing their commander's well-thought-out plan (2 Sam 10:9-12). It speaks to military readiness and collective determination.
• "against the Arameans, and they fled before him": This dramatic contrast demonstrates the swift and overwhelming nature of the Israelite victory. The Arameans, renowned for their military strength and hired as mercenaries to augment the Ammonite forces, are depicted not as engaged in a prolonged struggle but as immediately scattering. This swift rout, emphasized by the phrase "fled before him," points beyond human military strategy alone to the hand of God inspiring fear and panic among Israel's adversaries (cf. Ex 23:27; Deut 2:25), underscoring that victory ultimately comes from the Lord, validating David's faith and leadership.

2 Samuel 10 13 Bonus section

The broader context of 2 Samuel 10, particularly Joab's rallying cry in verse 12 ("Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him."), illuminates the spiritual dimension of the military action described in verse 13. Joab, despite his pragmatism and skill, openly acknowledges divine sovereignty over the outcome of the battle. The swift flight of the Arameans is presented as the immediate manifestation of "the Lord do[ing] what seems good to him," signifying that God was indeed fighting on behalf of His people. This instance not only established Israel's dominance but also affirmed God's protective presence over David's kingdom, showcasing His power to deliver them from powerful alliances that might otherwise threaten His covenant people.

2 Samuel 10 13 Commentary

2 Samuel 10:13 offers a concise yet powerful description of the initial triumph in one of David's most significant wars. It encapsulates Joab's decisive generalship and the immediate success of his engagement with the formidable Aramean mercenaries. Rather than a protracted struggle, the text emphasizes a swift, decisive rout: the Arameans "fled before him." This outcome strongly implies more than just tactical superiority; it hints at divine intervention, consistent with Old Testament narratives where God instills fear in the hearts of Israel's enemies, causing them to break ranks and flee (Lev 26:7-8; Deut 28:7). This victory showcases God's faithfulness to David, protecting his kingdom and giving success in battle against those who rose against Israel. It underscores the truth that while human commanders like Joab devise strategies and display courage, ultimate victory and the turning of events rest in God's hands.