2 Samuel 10 18

2 Samuel 10:18 kjv

And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

2 Samuel 10:18 nkjv

Then the Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand horsemen of the Syrians, and struck Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.

2 Samuel 10:18 niv

But they fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobak the commander of their army, and he died there.

2 Samuel 10:18 esv

And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed of the Syrians the men of 700 chariots, and 40,000 horsemen, and wounded Shobach the commander of their army, so that he died there.

2 Samuel 10:18 nlt

But again the Arameans fled from the Israelites. This time David's forces killed 700 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers, including Shobach, the commander of their army.

2 Samuel 10 verses

2 Samuel 10 18 Meaning

2 Samuel 10:18 describes a decisive victory for Israel over the allied Syrian forces. Following a military campaign led by King David himself, the Syrians suffered an overwhelming defeat, marked by a massive loss of life among their chariot forces and cavalry. Crucially, the verse records the death of Shobach, the top commander of the Syrian army, at David's hand, signifying the complete demoralization and collapse of the enemy's leadership. This victory underscored David's military prowess, God's favor upon Israel, and secured their borders against a powerful northern adversary.

2 Samuel 10 18 Context

The events of 2 Samuel chapter 10 are sparked by the Ammonite king Hanun's egregious humiliation of David's ambassadors, treating them as spies and publically disgracing them. This act of war immediately led David to mobilize his army, first sending Joab and Abishai against the combined forces of the Ammonites and their Syrian (Aramean) allies. While Joab secured an initial victory over the Ammonites, the Syrians, led by Hadadezer's commander Shobach (also spelled Shophach), regrouped and reinforced themselves with additional troops from "beyond the River" (Euphrates). This second, more formidable Syrian force prompted King David to personally lead the entire Israelite army across the Jordan. The engagement described in verse 18 is the culmination of this strategic advance, a direct confrontation that shattered the Syrian alliance and decisively affirmed Israel's dominance in the region. This victory not only avenged the insult but also solidified David's kingdom as a preeminent regional power, demonstrating divine favor and military might.

2 Samuel 10 18 Word analysis

• And the Syrians: (Ha'Aramim) - Refers to the Aramaeans, a collection of Aramean city-states in ancient Syria and Mesopotamia, particularly those allied with Hadadezer, king of Zobah. They were a powerful northern neighbor often hostile to Israel. This highlights the formidable nature of the foe defeated.
• fled: (wa'yanûsû) - Hebrew: נוּס (nûs), meaning "to flee," "escape," "take flight." It signifies a panicked and disorganized retreat, indicating a decisive rout rather than an orderly withdrawal.
• from before Israel: This phrasing emphasizes Israel's active role in pursuing and driving the enemy, highlighting their offensive victory and the complete dominance they established on the battlefield. It also subtly implies the Lord's presence with Israel, causing the enemy to flee before them.
• and David slew: (wa'yaharog Dawid) - David is directly named as the agent of destruction, showcasing his leadership and effectiveness in battle. The verb slew/killed signifies utter defeat and lethal force.
• of the Syrians: Reaffirms the identity of the defeated enemy, ensuring no ambiguity.
• seven hundred chariots: (sheva' me'ot rekhev) - Hebrew: רֶכֶב (rekheb), referring to chariots. These were significant instruments of war in the ancient world, representing advanced military technology, speed, and power. Israel, traditionally relying on infantry, overcoming a force strong in chariots highlighted the divine advantage. Note the parallel account in 1 Chr 19:18 gives "seven thousand chariots." This is a known textual variation. Some scholars suggest potential scribal errors, different methods of counting (e.g., number of chariot units vs. total personnel attached to them), or different reporting styles in ancient Near Eastern historiography. Both numbers, however, represent a massive destruction of enemy resources.
• and forty thousand horsemen: (v'arba'im elef parash) - Hebrew: פָּרָשׁ (pārāsh), "horsemen" or "cavalry." This also notes a substantial part of the Syrian army. Again, the parallel in 1 Chr 19:18 has "forty thousand foot soldiers." This further reinforces a likely textual variant or differing classification of troops. The core truth remains a very significant number of enemy casualties.
• and Shobach: (v'et Shobakh) - The personal name of the commander of Hadadezer's army (also spelled Shophach in Chronicles). Identifying the slain general emphasizes the totality of the victory, signifying the complete breakdown of enemy command and morale.
• the captain of their host: (sar ts'va'o) - Hebrew: שַׂר צָבָא (sar tsava'), meaning "commander of the army/host." This specifies Shobach's high rank, making his death a strategic blow beyond mere numbers, akin to decapitating the enemy's military leadership.
• he smote: (hikkah) - Hebrew: הִכָּה (hikkah), "to strike," "to smite." This powerful verb reinforces the directness and forcefulness of David's action against Shobach.
• that he died: (wa'yamot) - Hebrew: וַיָּמֹת (wa'yamot), "and he died." This simple, conclusive phrase leaves no doubt about Shobach's fate, underlining the finality of his defeat and the end of the Syrian challenge.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And the Syrians fled from before Israel": This phrase captures the immediate consequence of the battle, highlighting Israel's offensive prowess and divine favor which caused the enemy's disorganized retreat. The victory was comprehensive and swift.
• "and David slew... seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen": This segment focuses on the specific and immense losses inflicted upon the Syrian army. The mention of chariots and horsemen, which were powerful, advanced military units, signifies a triumph over superior technology and a testament to Israel's God-given strength.
• "and Shobach the captain of their host he smote that he died": The explicit detailing of Shobach's demise, the enemy's chief commander, at David's hand, serves as a crucial point of emphasis. It symbolizes not just a military defeat, but a complete obliteration of the enemy's fighting capability and leadership, guaranteeing a cessation of their immediate threat.

2 Samuel 10 18 Bonus section

• David's Disarming Policy: Notably, David did not build up his own chariot force even after capturing such a large number. Instead, 2 Samuel 8:4 recounts him "hamstringing" most of the chariot horses captured in a previous campaign. This indicates his reliance on God's strength and adherence to the spirit of Deuteronomy 17:16, which cautioned against the king acquiring many horses, to avoid temptations of relying on earthly power or foreign alliances.
• Strategic Impact: This crushing defeat fundamentally shifted the power balance in the Levant, solidifying Israel's security and regional dominance during David's reign. The Aramean states, particularly Hadadezer's kingdom of Zobah, were significantly weakened for a long period, directly benefiting Israel's stability and prosperity.
• Theology of Holy War: While not a term used in the text, the underlying narrative embodies elements of ancient Israel's understanding of "holy war," where God directly intervened in battles on behalf of His people. The divine agency behind Israel's victory is consistently implied throughout David's military campaigns.

2 Samuel 10 18 Commentary

2 Samuel 10:18 climactically details the decisive and overwhelming victory of Israel over the Syrian coalition. Following the audacious insult from the Ammonites, the scale of this retaliatory campaign escalated to include the formidable Syrian powers. King David's personal leadership in this decisive battle underlines his critical role as both anointed king and military commander. The substantial casualties reported—700 chariots and 40,000 horsemen—signify a crippling blow to the Syrian military, representing a massive array of their advanced war machinery and elite forces. The textual variations with 1 Chronicles 19:18 concerning these numbers (7,000 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers) are widely recognized; however, the core truth of a devastating and crushing defeat remains universally clear across both accounts.

The killing of Shobach, the supreme commander of the Syrian forces, by David's hand, is a critical element. This was not merely a defeat of an army but the beheading of its leadership, shattering its capacity for continued resistance and demoralizing any remaining forces. This event decisively settled the conflict, leading the other Aramean states to make peace and submit to Israel (2 Sam 10:19), cementing David's regional supremacy. The victory reflects God's continued faithfulness to David and His people, enabling them to overcome powerful adversaries who possessed superior military technology, echoing earlier victories where God disarmed and defeated those who relied on chariots (e.g., Pharaoh's chariots at the Red Sea, Sisera's chariots). This served as a potent demonstration that God, not military might, ultimately grants victory and protection to His chosen. Practically, this verse illustrates that faith in God and unified leadership, even against seemingly insurmountable odds, can lead to triumph. When God fights for His people, the strongest enemy cannot stand.