2 Samuel 10:18

And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew [the men of] seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

And the Syrians {H758} fled {H5127} before {H6440} Israel {H3478}; and David {H1732} slew {H2026} the men of seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} chariots {H7393} of the Syrians {H758}, and forty {H705} thousand {H505} horsemen {H6571}, and smote {H5221} Shobach {H7731} the captain {H8269} of their host {H6635}, who died {H4191} there.

But Aram fled before Isra'el; David killed 700 chariot-drivers and 40,000 horsemen from Aram, and he struck Shovakh the commander of their army, so that he died there.

But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.

And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians the men of seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, so that he died there.

Commentary

2 Samuel 10:18 describes the decisive victory of King David's Israelite army over the Syrian forces, marking a significant moment in David's reign and Israel's military history.

Context

This verse concludes the account of the second major engagement between Israel and the combined forces of the Ammonites and their Syrian allies. The conflict originated from the Ammonite king Hanun's grave insult to David's envoys (2 Samuel 10:1-5). After an initial Israelite victory, the Syrians, particularly those from Zobah under Hadadezer, regrouped with a formidable army under their commander Shobach (also called Shophach in 1 Chronicles 19:16). This second battle, fought at Helam, was a direct response to the Syrians gathering an even larger host, prompting David himself to lead the Israelite forces.

Key Themes

  • Decisive Victory: The verse highlights the overwhelming defeat inflicted upon the Syrians, leading to their complete rout and flight. The numbers—seven hundred chariots and forty thousand horsemen—underscore the magnitude of Israel's triumph.
  • Divine Favor: While David is the military commander, the narrative implicitly credits God's hand in granting Israel such a comprehensive victory. This aligns with the biblical theme that the Lord fights for His people.
  • Consequences of Opposition: The fate of Shobach, the captain of the Syrian host, who "died there," serves as a grim consequence for those who oppose God's chosen nation and king.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses strong verbs: "slew" (killed) and "smote" (struck down). The phrase "men of seven hundred chariots" clarifies that David's forces destroyed the soldiers associated with the chariots, not just the vehicles themselves. The term "horsemen" could refer to cavalry or soldiers who fought alongside chariots, emphasizing the significant loss of skilled enemy combatants.

Practical Application

This historical account offers several enduring lessons:

  • Trust in God's Strength: Even when facing superior numbers or daunting challenges, the believer can find confidence in God's ability to grant victory. David's success was not solely due to military strategy but also to his reliance on the Lord.
  • Consequences of Aggression: The narrative serves as a reminder that arrogance and unjust aggression often lead to severe consequences. The Syrians' decision to escalate the conflict resulted in a devastating defeat.
  • Divine Protection: For those who walk in God's ways, there is an assurance of divine protection and assistance in their struggles, echoing principles found in Psalm 18:32-34.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 19:18

    But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand [men which fought in] chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.

  • Judges 5:26

    She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.

  • 2 Samuel 8:4

    And David took from him a thousand [chariots], and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot [horses], but reserved of them [for] an hundred chariots.

  • Psalms 18:38

    I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

  • Judges 4:2

    And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host [was] Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.

  • Judges 4:22

    And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her [tent], behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail [was] in his temples.

  • Psalms 46:11

    The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.
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