2 Samuel 10:15

ยถ And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.

And when the Syrians {H758} saw {H7200} that they were smitten {H5062} before {H6440} Israel {H3478}, they gathered {H622} themselves together {H3162}.

When Aram saw that Isra'el had gotten the better of them, they gathered themselves together.

When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they regrouped.

And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they gathered themselves together.

Commentary

Context

This verse, 2 Samuel 10:15, follows the initial military engagement between Israel and the combined forces of Ammon and Syria. The conflict began when Hanun, king of Ammon, severely humiliated David's messengers, mistaking their diplomatic mission for espionage. This insult provoked King David, leading to war.

In the first phase of the battle, David's commander, Joab, skillfully divided his forces, sending a portion with his brother Abishai to face the Ammonites, while he himself confronted the Syrian mercenaries who had come to Ammon's aid. Joab's strategy, detailed in 2 Samuel 10:9-12, proved successful, leading to the defeat and flight of both the Ammonites and the Syrians. However, this verse reveals that the Syrians, though "smitten" (defeated) in the initial encounter, were not entirely broken. Instead, they regrouped, indicating their resolve to continue the fight and setting the stage for a more significant conflict.

Key Themes

  • Persistence of the Enemy: The most prominent theme is the Syrians' refusal to accept defeat. Despite being "smitten," they did not disperse permanently but "gathered themselves together," demonstrating a tenacious and unyielding spirit. This highlights that adversaries, whether military or spiritual, often regroup after initial setbacks.
  • Escalation of Conflict: The initial victory for Israel did not lead to peace but rather to an intensification of the war. The Syrians' regrouping suggests they sought to bolster their forces for a renewed, and potentially more dangerous, confrontation. This illustrates how some conflicts can escalate before resolution.
  • Strategic Warfare: From a military perspective, the Syrians' action was a logical next step: assess losses, regroup, and prepare for another engagement. It underscores the ongoing nature of ancient warfare and the need for sustained vigilance.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "smitten" is nagaph (ื ึธื’ึทืฃ), which means to strike, smite, plague, or defeat. It implies a significant blow or a decisive routing in battle. The phrase "gathered themselves together" is from the Hebrew vayye'asfu (ื•ึทื™ึตึผืึธืกึฐืคื•ึผ), a reflexive form of the verb 'asaph (ืึธืกึทืฃ), meaning to gather or collect. The reflexive nature emphasizes that they intentionally assembled themselves, indicating a deliberate act of rallying their remaining forces rather than a chaotic flight.

Practical Application

This verse offers a timeless lesson about the nature of challenges and opposition. Just as the Syrians regrouped after being "smitten," our personal and spiritual adversaries often do not disappear after an initial victory or setback. Whether it's a bad habit, a difficult circumstance, or spiritual temptation, we should not become complacent after a partial win. The need for continued vigilance and reliance on God's strength is crucial.

The persistence of the enemy reminds us that the spiritual battle is ongoing. As 1 Peter 5:8 warns, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." This verse from 2 Samuel serves as a historical illustration of the need for sustained readiness and faith, knowing that even after a victory, the enemy may be preparing for another assault.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 2:1

    ยถ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

  • Revelation 19:19

    And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

  • Revelation 19:21

    And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

  • Isaiah 8:9

    ยถ Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.

  • Isaiah 8:10

    Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God [is] with us.

  • Zechariah 14:2

    For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

  • Zechariah 14:3

    Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.