2 Samuel 10

Disrespect Leads to War

1 After the king of the Ammonites died, his son Hanun took over.

2 David said, “Let me show love to Hanun like his pops did for me.” So he sent some of his men to express condolences.

3 But the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun, “Listen, you think David sent dudes just to say ‘sorry’, Nah, they spies, here to scout the city and take it over.”

4 So Hanun grabbed David’s men, shaved off half their beards, and cut their clothes at the waist, left them exposed, and sent them off humiliated.

5 When David heard, he sent word: “Stay in Jericho till your beards grow back. Then come home.” Dude was not tryna let them come back looking shamed.

Ammonites Realize They Messed Up

6 The Ammonites realized they made David mad, so they hired mercenaries: 20,000 Aramean foot soldiers, 1,000 men from the king of Maacah, and 12,000 from Tob.

7 David heard and sent Joab out with the full army.

8 The Ammonites lined up at the city gate. The Aramean backup set up in the field.

Joab’s Strategy

9 When Joab saw they were surrounded front and back, he picked his best soldiers to fight the Arameans.

10 He sent his brother Abishai to take on the Ammonites.

11 Joab said, “If the Arameans are too much for me, you got my back. If the Ammonites push you, I will come help you. We got each other.”

12 “Let us be strong for our people and God’s city. And may the Lord do whatever He sees fit.”

The Battle

13 Joab and his squad charged the Arameans, they folded and ran.

14 When the Ammonites saw the Arameans running, they bounced too, right back into their city. Joab returned to Jerusalem.

Round Two: Aram Comes Back

15 But the Arameans regrouped, they were not done yet.

16 Hadadezer sent for reinforcements from across the Euphrates. They came to Helam, led by Shobach, the commander of Hadadezer’s army.

17 When David heard, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and went to Helam. They squared up.

18 David’s army crushed the Arameans, they killed 700 chariot drivers and 40,000 horsemen. They also dropped Shobach, the commander.

19 When the smaller kings under Hadadezer saw they got smoked, they made peace with Israel and served David. The Arameans were done, they did not help the Ammonites anymore.