A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Biblical tract · Volume 2 · Commentary on 2 Samuel · Chapter 10
2 Sam. CHAP. X.
THIS Chapter relateth the Story of David's ſending Embaſſadors to the King of Ammon, the Cauſes and Effects thereof.
Remarks hereupon are,
Firſt, David being ſecurely ſettled in his Kingdom (like a truly grateful perſon) indeavoureth to teſtifie his gratitude unto all that had been kind to him in the day of his Adverſity; and now having done it at home to Jonathan's Son, he would do it abroad alſo, to Nahaſh's Son, whoſe Father was now dead, and who had ſhewed ſome kindneſs to David in diſtreſs, and therefore he ſent Embaſſadors to comfort the Son concerning the death of his Father, who had been ſo kind to him, v. 1, 2.
N. B. What this kindneſs was that Nahaſh ſhewed David, the Scripture doth not declare, but Tradition tells us.
Firſt, The Rabbins ſay, that when the King of Moab had ſlain David's Father, Mother, and Brethren (whom he had left with him for ſafeguard from Saul) one of his Brethren eſcaped to Nahaſh King of Ammon, who kindly ſuccour'd him.
Secondly, Jerom ſaith (with whom Abulenſis, Angelomus, Lyra, and others do concur) that when David fled from Achiſh King of Gath (at the inſtigation of his Lords that envy'd David) he came to Nahaſh King of Ammon, who gave him courteous entertainment, but not ſo much out of love to David, as out of hatred to Saul who was a common Enemy to them both; for as to himſelf, Saul had given him a great over throw before Jabeſh-Gilead, 1 Sam. 11. and as to David, Saul had driven him into ſtrange Countries for the ſafety of his life, and therefore ſome humanity muſt be ſhew'd him, which he did, and which David here requiteth.
The Second Remark is, David's Embaſſadors of Peace were treated with the groſſeſt diſgrace, v. 3, 4. againſt the Law of Nations: the young King that abuſed thoſe Embaſſadors was Hanun, which ſignifies gracious, but he had grace in his name only, not in his Nature; however David will be both grateful and gracious, tho' Hanun be never ſo graceleſs as he ſhew'd himſelf here. His Princes did miſrepreſent David's ſimplicity indeed to him; there is nothing ſo good (ſaith Grotius here) which may not ſometimes meet with malicious Interpreters in the Courts of Kings: Thoſe Wicked Men (in their [Thinkeſt thou that David, &c.) muſed as they uſed, and meaſured David's mind by their own malice. It was that old Hereditary hatred of thoſe Ammonites againſt Iſrael, Deut. 23.3, 4, 5, 6. which ſuggeſted thoſe Satanical ſurmiſes and ſinful Counſels, whereof themſelves at laſt had the worſt. foreign.
Heſiod ſaith, Evil Counſel proves always pernicious to the Evil Counſellors. Peter Martyr brings in thoſe Princes ſpeaking thus to their King [David doth but diſſemble Friendſhip to thee, for he knows God hath commanded, that Iſrael ſhall not ſeek our peace nor our proſperity for ever, Deut. 23.6. and we know, that David is a zealous promoter of the law of his God.] Hereupon this young fooliſh arrogant King follows their fond Counſel [ſhaves off one half of the Embaſſadors Beards, and cuts off their Garments by the Buttocks, &c.] v. 4.1. Chron. 19.4. this horrid affront Hanun acted, partly to deform and diſgrace them, that they might be derided by all Spectators, and partly to put a ſcorn upon their Religion, which forbad (even in their mourning to mar the corners of their Beards, Levit. 19.27, 28. and Deut. 14.1. yea and partly to make them bear a part in the Ammonites mourning for the death of Nahaſh (Hanun's Father) according to the Cuſtom of that Country (tho' forbid to Iſrael) and therefore were they bid to ſtay at Jericho till their Beards were grown, v. 5.
N. B. But Hanun's cutting off their Garments was the far worſe affront, becauſe the Iſraelites wear no Breeches, ſave the Prieſts only when they miniſtred before the Lord that their nakedneſs might not appear, Exod. 20.26. & 28.42, 43. otherwiſe they wore long looſe Garments both for eaſe, ornament, modeſty, and comelineſs; now this was done in deſpight to David's Embaſſadors, that not only their uncomely parts, but alſo their Circumciſion might be ſcoffed at by the uncircumciſed Courtiers and common People, Iſa. 20.4. & 47.2. & 50.6.
The Third Remark is, David's ill reſentment of this ſublime indignity done to thoſe that repreſented his own perſon to this foppiſh King, he prepareth for a Revenge, feeling his own cheeks ſhaven, and his own Coat cut and curtail'd in his Embaſſadors: But firſt he ſent them Cloaths to cover them, &c. and bids them ſtay in an obſcure Village (for Jericho was not built till long after, 1 King. 16.34) 'till their reproach was removed by the growth of their Beards, v. 5. the Ammonites (now too late) underſtood how they ſtank like loathſome Carrion by this horrible fact, ſo they hired the Syrians whom David had lately ſubdued, and who were therefore ready enough to joyn with them, both for revenging themſelves of David (that made them Tributaries to him) and to ſuppreſs his growing greatneſs.
N. B. The Ammonites Hired here Thirty two Thouſand Chariots and Horſemen, with a Thouſand Talents of Silver, 1 Chron. 19.6, 7. to fight againſt Iſrael's Army, conſiſting wholly of Footmen, hereupon David prudently ſends Joab with his Army to Medebah, a City in the borders of Ammon, 1 Chron. 19.7.9. chuſing rather to make their Countrey the ſeat of War than his own, v. 7.
The Fourth Remark is, The event of this preparation on both ſides, v. 8. to 14. Wherein Mark.
(1.) The Ammonites were ſo wary as to put their Army in Array at the entring in at the Gate of their own City Medeba, that in caſe of a Defeat, they might have that Buſh at their Backs for a Retreating ſhelter; but the numerous Syrians of all ſorts were placed afar off in the open Field, to ſurround Joab both in Front and Rear, v. 8, 9.
Mark (2.) Joab like an Accompliſhed General, chuſeth the choice Men of Iſrael wherewith to Aſſault the Syrians, looking upon them as a multitude of Mercenaries, who would never ſtand it out if hotly charged; and if they were once beaten, the Ammonites would quickly flee: Thus with this Stratagem, and with his gallant Oration to Animate his Brother Abiſhai, he falls on, v. 9, 10, 11, 12.
Mark (3.) General Joab's brave Speech to his Brother and his Brigade, ſo brave as might have become the Mouth of a better Man than Joab was; wherein he declareth the uncertainty of the Iſſue of War, that the beſt Cauſe is not always bleſt with the beſt Succeſs, howbeit the concord of the Chief Commanders is of great conſequence, and contributes much toward the Victory, as diſcord often doth to diſappoint it; many ſad inſtances whereof have been, &c.
N. B. Joab muſt juſtly be Jealous here that Abiſhai would be offended at his culling out from his Brigade all the choice Men of Valour to be under his Conduct againſt the Syrians, and leave him the weakeſt part wherewith to War againſt the Ammonites: Therefore was it prudently promiſed by them both to relieve one another as need required, v. 11. And ſaith Joab, Let us be Couragious and play the Men, &c. v. 12. for our War is not vainly undertaken to enlarge our Empire or Glory, but juſtly to execute Revenge upon the curſed Ammonites, who ſo hatefully abuſed our Embaſſadors contrary to the Law of God, of Nature, and of Nations, yea and to maintain our Inheritance which the Lord our God hath given us, and therefore we may well hope for his bleſſing and aſſiſtance in it: Let us do our Duty, and let God diſpoſe of the Victory as he pleaſeth; whereof we have no cauſe to diſtruſt.
N. B. Note well; Thus the Apoſtle exhorteth us, [foreign] Quit your ſelves like Men, be ſtrong, 1 Cor. 16.13. (as Joab here) in our Spiritual Warfare.
Mark (4.) Then Joab falls on firſt with the Flower of Iſrael upon thoſe Mercenaries, who being not ſo much concerned as the Ammonites, ſtood not the firſt ſhock, but Fled before him, ver. 13. The Ammonites ſeeing the Syrians (in whoſe Numbers and Proweſs they had the moſt confidence) put to flight, they fled alſo, ver. 14. So that Joab in doing his own part, did Abiſhai's part alſo to his hand.
Mark (5.) When Joab ſaw the Syrians fled in their Chariots, (whom he could not purſue with his Foot) and the Ammonites fled into the City Medeba; (that ſtake they had ſtill in ſtore,) Winter coming on, chap. 11.1. He returns with Triumph to Jeruſalem.
The Laſt Remark is, The Syrians ſecond expedition defeated by David, ver. 15, to 19. Wherein Mark,
Firſt, The Syrians Rally their ſcattered Forces and increaſed them with men beyond Euphrates; partly to wipe off the ſcandal of Cowardice in the laſt Battle, and partly to prevent David's revenge for their Rebelling againſt him, (they being his Tributaries) and partly, to ſhake off that Yoke of Tribute; But God's end was, that they might be broke in pieces, as all Immanuel's Enemies muſt be, Iſa. 8.9. even all thoſe Kings whom Hadarezer had hired, ver. 16, 19.
Mark Secondly, David goeth forth againſt them, and with his perſonal preſence animates his Army, made up of the moſt valiant Men pickt out of all Iſrael, ver. 17. They joyn Battle and the Syrians fled, and David ſlew the Men of Seven Hundred Chariots, (that is, Seven Thouſand Men that fought in them, 1 Chron. 19.18.) and, Forty Thouſand Horſemen, &c. v. 18. which yet are called Forty Thouſand Footmen 1 Chron. 19.18. that is, ſuch as we now call Dragoons, who for haſte Rode to the Field but Fought on Foot: The Chronicles being Writ after, explaineth this. After this the Syrians peaceably paid their Tribute to David, and promiſed to him they would no more help the Ammonites againſt him, ver. 19.