2 Samuel 10
Envoys Shamed, and a War That Followed
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The Shaming of David’s Envoys
10:1After this, the king of the sons of Ammon died, and Hanun his son became king in his place.
10:2David said, “I will show mercy to Hanun son of Nahash, as his father showed mercy to me.” David sent his servants to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants entered the land of the sons of Ammon.
10:3The leaders of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think David is glorifying your father by sending comforters to you? Has David not sent his servants to you so that they may search the city, spy it out, and inspect it?”
10:4Hanun took David’s servants, shaved their beards, cut their cloaks in half at their hips, and sent them away.
10:5David was told about the men, and he sent to meet them, for the men had been greatly dishonored. The king said, “Stay in Jericho until your beards grow, and then you shall return.”
Ammon Hires the Syrians
10:6The sons of Ammon saw that David’s people had been put to shame. They sent and hired Syria of Beth-rehob, twenty thousand foot soldiers, the king of Maacah, a thousand men, and Istob, twelve thousand men.
10:7David heard and sent Joab and the whole force, the mighty men.
10:8The sons of Ammon came out and drew up for battle at the gate’s entrance. Syria of Zobah and Rehob, Istob, and Maacah were by themselves in the field.
Joab and Abishai Divide the Battle
10:9Joab saw that the battle faced him from the front and from behind. He selected some of all Israel’s young men, and they drew up against Syria.
10:10He placed the rest of the people in the hand of Abishai his brother, and they drew up against the sons of Ammon.
10:11He said, “If Syria is too strong for me, you all shall come to my rescue. If the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, we will be there to rescue you.
10:12Be courageous, and let us act strongly for our people and for the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in His eyes.”
10:13Joab and his people with him advanced to battle against Syria, and they fled before him.
10:14The sons of Ammon saw that Syria had fled, and they fled before Abishai and entered the city. Joab returned from the sons of Ammon, and they came to Jerusalem.
The Syrians Defeated Beyond the River
10:15Syria saw that it had been defeated before Israel, and they gathered together.
10:16Hadadezer sent and gathered Syria from beyond the River Chalamak. They came to Ailam, with Shobach, leader of Hadadezer’s force, at their head.
10:17David was told. He gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan, and they came to Ailam. Syria drew up opposite David and fought with him.
10:18Syria fled before Israel. David destroyed seven hundred Syrian chariots and killed forty thousand horsemen. He struck Shobach, the leader of his force, and he died there.
10:19All the kings serving Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated before Israel. They deserted to Israel and served them, and Syria feared to help the sons of Ammon again.
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V2 · working draft awaiting specialist review.