2 Samuel 10:6

ΒΆ And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

And when the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983} saw {H7200} that they stank {H887} before David {H1732}, the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983} sent {H7971} and hired {H7936} the Syrians {H758} of Bethrehob {H1050}, and the Syrians {H758} of Zoba {H6678}, twenty {H6242} thousand {H505} footmen {H7273}, and of king {H4428} Maacah {H4601} a thousand {H505} men {H376}, and of Ishtob {H382} twelve {H6240}{H8147} thousand {H505} men {H376}.

Aware that they were utterly abhorrent to David, the people of 'Amon sent and hired 20,000 Aram foot soldiers from Beit-Rechov and Tzovah, the king of Ma'akhah with 1,000 men, and 12,000 soldiers from Tov.

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.

And when the children of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men.

Commentary

2 Samuel 10:6 details the immediate and strategic response of the Ammonites after they committed a grave diplomatic offense against King David. Recognizing the severe repercussions of their actions, they moved quickly to secure military alliances in anticipation of an inevitable conflict with Israel.

Context

This verse is a pivotal point following an act of extreme disrespect shown to King David. David, in an act of kindness and diplomacy, had sent ambassadors to console Hanun, the new king of Ammon, after the death of Hanun's father, Nahash. However, Hanun, influenced by his suspicious advisors, misinterpreted David's gesture as a covert operation to spy on his kingdom. In response, Hanun publicly humiliated David's envoys by shaving off half their beards and cutting their garments at the buttocks, sending them back to Israel in profound shame. Such an act was not merely an insult but a clear declaration of war in the ancient Near East. Realizing the immense gravity of their transgression and the formidable power of King David's army, the Ammonites understood that war was imminent. Therefore, they immediately sought to fortify their position by hiring mercenaries and forming alliances with powerful neighboring Aramean (Syrian) kingdoms.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Insult and Disrespect: The Ammonites' arrogant and rash treatment of David's ambassadors directly led to their desperate need for military preparation. Their actions ignited a significant conflict, illustrating that disrespectful behavior can have severe and far-reaching repercussions.
  • Strategic Military Alliances: Faced with the might of David's kingdom, the Ammonites sought to offset their disadvantage by hiring a substantial force of mercenaries from various Syrian states, including Bethrehob, Zoba, Maacah, and Ish-tob. This highlights the common practice of forming coalitions and employing hired armies in ancient warfare to bolster defensive or offensive capabilities.
  • Recognition of Provocation: The phrase "made themselves odious to David" signifies the Ammonites' clear understanding that they had made themselves utterly detestable and provoked David to an extent that war was unavoidable. They perceived their own actions as a grave offense deserving of retaliation.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "made themselves odious" translates the Hebrew verb ba'ash (בָּאַשׁ). This word literally means "to stink" or "to emit a foul odor," but figuratively, as used here, it conveys the idea of making oneself abhorrent, detestable, or utterly offensive. It powerfully expresses the Ammonites' realization that their actions had created an intolerable situation, transforming a diplomatic overture into an unequivocal cause for war and making them repugnant in David's eyes.

Practical Application

This verse offers a timeless lesson about the consequences of our actions, particularly those driven by suspicion, pride, or disrespect. Just as the Ammonites had to prepare for the inevitable fallout of their rash decision, we too must consider the potential repercussions of our words and deeds. Insults, disrespect, or rash judgments can quickly escalate situations, leading to conflict and costly outcomes. The narrative encourages wisdom, diplomacy, and foresight in all interactions, reminding us that cultivating respectful relationships and acting with integrity can prevent unnecessary strife, aligning with the biblical principle that what one sows, one will also reap.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 8:3

    David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

  • 2 Samuel 8:5

    And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

  • Genesis 34:30

    And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I [being] few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

  • Judges 11:3

    Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.

  • 1 Samuel 27:12

    And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

  • Judges 18:28

    And [there was] no deliverer, because it [was] far from Zidon, and they had no business with [any] man; and it was in the valley that [lieth] by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein.

  • Judges 11:5

    And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:
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