2 Samuel 10 7

2 Samuel 10:7 kjv

And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.

2 Samuel 10:7 nkjv

Now when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men.

2 Samuel 10:7 niv

On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men.

2 Samuel 10:7 esv

And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men.

2 Samuel 10:7 nlt

When David heard about this, he sent Joab and all his warriors to fight them.

2 Samuel 10 verses

2 Samuel 10 7 Meaning

2 Samuel 10:7 conveys King David's decisive and immediate military response to the severe diplomatic affront committed by the Ammonites. Upon learning of the public humiliation of his envoys, David promptly dispatched his seasoned commander, Joab, along with the full force of Israel's elite warriors, known as the "mighty men," to confront the impending threat and uphold the nation's honor.

2 Samuel 10 7 Context

2 Samuel 10 unfolds the events leading to a major conflict between Israel and the Ammonites, involving Aramean allies. King David, intending to show kindness to Hanun, the new king of Ammon, sends envoys to comfort him after his father's death. However, Hanun, swayed by suspicious advisors, interprets David's gesture as espionage and severely humiliates the envoys by shaving off half their beards and cutting off their garments, exposing them. This act was not merely impolite but a profound insult, bringing public shame and challenging David's authority and Israel's honor in the ancient Near East. Recognizing the gravity of their offense against a powerful king, the Ammonites anticipate war and hire formidable Aramean mercenary forces. Verse 7 describes David's resolute and swift military deployment in response to this unparalleled provocation, setting the stage for the ensuing war detailed later in the chapter.

2 Samuel 10 7 Word Analysis

• When David heard of it:

  • וַיִּשְׁמַע (vayyish-ma'): Hebrew verb from shamá', "to hear," but often implies more than just perceiving sound; it includes "understanding," "heeding," and "obeying." Here, it signifies David not just receiving news but grasping its full import and gravity—the direct challenge to his kingdom and honor. David's response demonstrates his full comprehension of the insult.
  • דָּוִד (Dāwīḏ): David. The name carries immense weight, referring to the divinely chosen King of Israel, a man "after God's own heart," known for his military prowess, strategic leadership, and justice. His reputation as a warrior king necessitates a firm response.

• he sent Joab:

  • וַיִּשְׁלַח (vayyish-lach): Hebrew verb from shalach, "to send forth," "stretch out," or "dismiss." This word emphasizes David's active, decisive, and immediate dispatching of forces. There was no hesitation or prolonged negotiation after the egregious insult.
  • אֶת-יוֹאָב (ʾet Yōʾāḇ): Joab. David's trusted, albeit often ruthless, commander-in-chief. Joab was a highly skilled and formidable general, indispensable to David's military campaigns. Sending Joab signifies the seriousness and military competence with which David was approaching the conflict. His presence on the field was equivalent to bringing Israel's top strategic mind.

• and all the army:

  • וְאֵת כָּל-צְבָא (veʾēt kol-tsĕḇāʾ): "And all the host/army of." Tzĕḇāʾ (צָבָא) means "army," "host," "warfare," or "service." The term kol (כָּל), meaning "all" or "every," emphasizes the totality and completeness of the force sent. It implies David did not send a skirmishing party or a limited force, but a comprehensive military deployment, reflecting the severity of the threat and the insult. This was a statement of overwhelming might.

• of the mighty men:

  • הַגִּבּוֹרִים (haggibbôrîm): "The mighty men" (plural of gibbor, גִּבּוֹר). This term specifically refers to the elite, distinguished warriors in David's army, often highlighted in 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11. These were not just any soldiers, but seasoned veterans, heroes of past campaigns, known for their strength, courage, and exceptional fighting skills. Their inclusion underscores that David was mobilizing his finest and most formidable fighting force to respond decisively. Their deployment sent a clear message of Israel's strength and resolve.

2 Samuel 10 7 Bonus section

• The insult was deeply significant culturally: Shaving off half a beard was a supreme act of shame and disgrace, akin to publicly denuding someone. Cutting garments also symbolized shame and degradation in that era.
• David's action here preempted an invasion; the Ammonites had already hired foreign armies (v.6), indicating their aggressive intent beyond just humiliating the envoys. David's move was a defensive pre-emptive strike to take the initiative.
• The deployment of the "mighty men" also serves as a theological statement about the Lord's providence through human strength. While God fights Israel's battles, He also uses competent human leaders and elite forces trained for war.

2 Samuel 10 7 Commentary

2 Samuel 10:7 reveals David's character as a decisive and responsible king. The humiliation of his envoys by Hanun was an unprovoked act of aggression, challenging Israel's diplomatic norms and the honor of its anointed king. David did not delay, allowing the insult to fester or be perceived as weakness. Instead, his immediate response of dispatching Joab and the "mighty men" signifies his strategic foresight and understanding of ancient Near Eastern statecraft. A failure to respond decisively would have emboldened surrounding nations and invited further aggression. This action demonstrates David's commitment to defending Israel's dignity and security, using the formidable military infrastructure he had built. It was a measured yet overwhelming display of force, necessary to restore order and reassert Israel's dominant position. The rapid and comprehensive deployment served notice that Israel possessed both the will and the capacity to meet any challenge to its peace and honor. This response also serves as a model of kingly responsibility to protect his people and their standing.