Keraia
2 Samuel 10

2 Samuel 10:6

David’s Messengers Disgraced · 2 Samuel 10:1–8
Read 2 Samuel 10

Translations

Modern
When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob.
Traditional
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth–rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish–tob twelve thousand men.
Literal
And the sons of Ammon saw that they were made to stink to David, and the sons of Ammon sent and hired Aram of Beth-rehob, and Aram of Zoba, and twenty thousand footmen, and from the king of Maacah a thousand men, and from Tob twelve thousand men.
Latin
Videntes autem filii Ammon quod injuriam fecissent David, miserunt, et conduxerunt mercede Syrum Rohob, et Syrum Soba, viginti millia peditum, et a rege Maacha mille viros, et ab Istob duodecim millia virorum.

Original

Hebrew
English
When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob.

Notes

2 Samuel 10:6

  • Aramean foot soldiers: See 2 Samuel 8:5–6.

  • Beth-rehob and Zobah: See 2 Samuel 8:3, 12.

  • Tob may refer to a smaller kingdom and region ruled by a vassal king (a local ruler under the control of a stronger king). In this case, Tob was likely under the authority of Hadadezer.

2 Samuel 10:1–19

After the break in 2 Samuel 9, the story goes back to David's military successes. The Ammonites were likely the dominant political power in Transjordan (the area east of the Jordan) during Saul’s reign and the early years of David’s reign.

Theme notes and profiles

Abishai Arameans David Joab

Events

Parallels

1 Chronicles 19:1–9

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Places

Ammon: An ancient nation and its capital city, enemies of Israel Beth-rehob: Aramean city and region, allied with Ammon against David Maacah: A region near Geshur Syria: Ancient region north of Israel, often in conflict Tob: Region where Jephthah fled and recruited mercenaries Zobah: An Aramean kingdom, enemy of Israel during David's reign

Glossary

Beard Beth-Rehob David Gilead (Place) Hadadezer Hanun Ishtob Kindness Kings, Books of First and Second Rehob (Place) Samuel, Books of First and Second Tob Zobah

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Confederated Armies: March in Ranks: Mercenaries Beth-Rehob: A Place in Dan Ish-Tob: A Small State of Aram Maachah: Also Called Maacah and Maachathi: A Small Kingdom East of Bashan Rehob: A Town in Northern Palestine: Called Beth-Rehob Rehob: A Town in Northern Palestine: Possessed by the Syrians Syria: David: Sent Joab Against the Armies of, Hired by the Ammonites Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: Aram-Rehob, Also Called Beth-Rehob Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: Aram-Zobah, Also Called, Zobah and Zoba The Ammonites: Hired the Syrians Against David The Beard: Shaving of, a Great Offense Zobah: Its Inhabitants Mercenaries of the Ammonites Against David