2 Samuel 10 8

2 Samuel 10:8 kjv

And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.

2 Samuel 10:8 nkjv

Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array at the entrance of the gate. And the Syrians of Zoba, Beth Rehob, Ish-Tob, and Maacah were by themselves in the field.

2 Samuel 10:8 niv

The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance of their city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maakah were by themselves in the open country.

2 Samuel 10:8 esv

And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the gate, and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.

2 Samuel 10:8 nlt

The Ammonite troops came out and drew up their battle lines at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans from Zobah and Rehob and the men from Tob and Maacah positioned themselves to fight in the open fields.

2 Samuel 10 verses

2 Samuel 10 8 Meaning

This verse describes the initial military deployment of the opposing forces against King David's army. It details that the Ammonite army, which initiated the conflict by dishonoring David's envoys, positioned itself for battle at the strategic location of the gate of Medeba. Simultaneously, their allies—various Aramean (Syrian) contingents from Zobah, Rehob, Ishtob, and Maacah—were separately arrayed in the open field, indicating a coordinated but tactically distinct battle formation. The verse sets the scene for the intense warfare that ensued.

2 Samuel 10 8 Context

This verse is immediately situated within the narrative of the war between David and the Ammonites. The war began because Hanun, the new king of Ammon, upon the advice of his princes, grievously insulted David's envoys, who had been sent with condolences for the death of Hanun's father, Nahash. The envoys' beards were shaved, and their garments were cut short, a profound act of public humiliation in ancient Near Eastern culture, intended as a declaration of war. David, insulted and provoked, dispatched his formidable commander Joab and the Israelite army. Verse 8 depicts the enemy's readiness and strategic formation as they anticipate the Israelite advance. This conflict forms a crucial part of David's reign, showcasing his military strength and expanding kingdom, yet also setting the immediate backdrop for the infamous incident with Bathsheba and Uriah in the following chapter, which occurs during this ongoing Ammonite campaign. The involvement of various Aramean city-states highlights the growing regional opposition to David's consolidating power and the complex geopolitical landscape of the time.

2 Samuel 10 8 Word analysis

• And the children of Ammon (וּבְנֵי עַמּוֹן - uvenei ‘Ammôn): Refers to the descendants of Ben-Ammi, son of Lot's younger daughter (Gen 19:38). They were historical adversaries of Israel, constantly warring or raiding across the Jordan, and excluded from the assembly of the LORD due to their past hostility (Deut 23:3-6). Their presence here signifies a national army mobilizing.
• came out (יָצְאוּ - yatz'u): Signifies a military sally or deployment from a place of refuge, or a strategic move onto the field of battle. It suggests active preparation and willingness to engage rather than being passively besieged.
• and put the battle in array (וַיַּעַרְכוּ מִלְחָמָה - vayya‘arkhu milchamah): Literally "and they set the war in order" or "they arranged battle." This phrase denotes careful and organized preparation for warfare, involving the disciplined formation of troops, planning, and deployment. It reflects a tactical approach rather than a disorganized skirmish.
• at the gate of Medeba (פֶּתַח מֵידְבָא - petach Meidva): Medeba was an ancient and important city in Transjordan, frequently associated with the Moabites and Ammonites, situated on a strategic plain. "At the gate" implies a defensive or muster position, controlling access to the city or plain. It suggests a key strategic point chosen for the initial confrontation, likely indicating where the Israelite army would approach.
• and the Syrians of Zoba (וַאֲרָם צוֹבָא - va'Aram Tzovah): Zobah was a powerful Aramean (Syrian) kingdom, centered north of Damascus, often ruled by Hadadezer, whom David had previously defeated (2 Sam 8:3-8). Their re-emergence signifies a powerful regional coalition against David.
• and of Rehob (וּרְחוֹב - uRechov): Another Aramean city-state, likely Beth-Rehob, often allied with Zobah, located in northern Aram.
• and Ishtob (וְאִישׁ־טוֹב - ve’Ish-Tov): "Men of Tob," referring to an Aramean principality called Tob, likely located east of Gilead, where Jephthah fled (Judg 11:3). This indicates a smaller but active Aramean participant.
• and Maacah (וּמַעֲכָה - uMa‘akah): An Aramean kingdom near the northern border of Israel, closely associated with Geshur. Absalom’s mother was a princess of Geshur (2 Sam 3:3), indicating a pre-existing relationship with David's kingdom, though here they are allied against him.
• were by themselves (לְבַדָּם - levadam): Meaning "alone," "apart," or "separately." This signifies that the Aramean contingents were deployed as a distinct, independent force from the Ammonite army, rather than being intermingled. This points to a strategic division of forces, possibly a flanking maneuver or a different point of engagement.
• in the field (בַּשָּׂדֶה - bassarade): Refers to the open, uncultivated countryside or plain. This contrasts with the Ammonites positioned "at the gate of Medeba," suggesting a dual strategy where the Aramean allies intended to fight in open ground, perhaps waiting for the Israelite main army, while the Ammonites defended the approach to their city.

Words-group analysis

• The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the gate of Medeba: This phrase describes the main Ammonite force actively preparing for war, establishing a defensive line or a strategic rally point at Medeba, signaling their readiness to confront the approaching Israelite army directly at a key gateway.
• and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field: This part details the formation of the allied Aramean contingents. Their separate deployment in the open field from the Ammonites implies a well-conceived military strategy involving different battle stations or flanking maneuvers. This demonstrates a united yet tactically divided enemy. The list of Aramean states indicates a formidable and widespread alliance against David.

2 Samuel 10 8 Bonus section

• The hiring of mercenary forces, common in ancient Near Eastern warfare, is evident here. The Aramean kings likely acted as mercenaries or strong allies to the Ammonites, attracted by silver (as explicitly stated in 1 Chr 19:6). This practice added to the complexity and expense of warfare for all parties.
• The geographic locations mentioned (Medeba) were significant and familiar to the original audience, rooting the narrative in a tangible, historical setting. Medeba's strategic value made it a logical place for such a crucial battle.
• This verse, read alongside its parallel in 1 Chronicles 19:9, illustrates the consistency of the historical account, despite slight differences in phrasing, providing a robust biblical testimony to the event.
• The specific mention of the separate deployment ("by themselves") implies that the allied Aramean forces may not have had a completely unified command structure with the Ammonites, or they retained distinct tactical identities on the battlefield. This could have presented potential weaknesses or specific opportunities for Joab's army to exploit.

2 Samuel 10 8 Commentary

2 Samuel 10:8 offers a critical pre-battle snapshot, underscoring the formidable opposition David's forces faced. The meticulous detail of troop deployment, with Ammonites at Medeba's gate and various Aramean allies separated in the open field, highlights the sophisticated military strategies employed in the ancient Near East. This strategic positioning was likely intended to meet the Israelite army from multiple directions or to present a complex front that would divide David's forces. The scale of the coalition, involving powerful states like Zobah and other smaller Aramean principalities alongside Ammon, testifies to David's growing influence but also to the perceived threat he posed, leading regional powers to unite against him. This verse paints a vivid picture of the eve of battle, emphasizing the human preparations and alliances. Yet, from a biblical perspective, it sets the stage for God's involvement, often turning human strategies and numbers on their head (as seen later in Joab's appeal for strength and God's help). It demonstrates the high stakes involved in David's quest to consolidate and expand his kingdom.