📖 2 Samuel — Chapter 10 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Samuel 10:1 And it came to pass after this, that the Rking of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
2 Samuel 10:2 Then said David, I will Rshew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
2 Samuel 10:3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, TThinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath Rnot David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
2 Samuel 10:4 Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, Rand shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
2 Samuel 10:5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at RJericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
2 Samuel 10:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they Rstank 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 TIshtob twelve thousand men.
2 Samuel 10:7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and Rall the host of the mighty men.
2 Samuel 10:8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array Rat the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
2 Samuel 10:9 When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
2 Samuel 10:10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
2 Samuel 10:11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
2 Samuel 10:12 RBe of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
2 Samuel 10:13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and Rthey fled before him.
2 Samuel 10:14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 10:15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they Rgathered themselves together.
2 Samuel 10:16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond Tthe river: and they came to Helam; and RTShobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
2 Samuel 10:17 And when it was told David, Rhe gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
2 Samuel 10:18 And the Syrians Rfled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand Thorsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.
2 Samuel 10:19 And when all the kings that were Rservants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 10:1–5 — Kindness is met with suspicion
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David sends comforters to Hanun after his father’s death. Ammon’s leaders interpret the visit as spying, and Hanun humiliates the messengers. David gives the shamed men time at Jericho before returning. A false assumption turns an offer of comfort into hostility.
Key Truth: Suspicion should not be treated as established evidence.
Check What You Remember
1. Who succeeded his father as Ammon’s king? (2 Samuel 10:1)
Find it in 2 Samuel 10:1 (KJV).
2. Whose death prompted David to send comforters? (2 Samuel 10:2)
Find it in 2 Samuel 10:2 (KJV).
3. Where were the messengers to wait? (2 Samuel 10:5)
Find it in 2 Samuel 10:5 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 10:6–14 — Two fronts and mutual help
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Ammon hires Syrian forces, and Joab finds enemies before and behind him. He divides the army with Abishai and arranges mutual assistance. His words combine courage, responsibility toward the people, and submission to what the LORD considers good. Both opposing forces retreat.
Key Truth: Courage and cooperation can accompany dependence on God.
Check What You Remember
1. Who led David’s army? (2 Samuel 10:7)
Find it in 2 Samuel 10:7 (KJV).
2. Which brother commanded against Ammon? (2 Samuel 10:10)
Find it in 2 Samuel 10:10 (KJV).
3. Who would do what seemed good to Him? (2 Samuel 10:12)
Find it in 2 Samuel 10:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 10:15–19 — A renewed battle and an end to the alliance
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The Syrians regroup, and David leads Israel across Jordan to Helam. Shobach dies in the defeat, and Hadarezer’s subject kings make peace with Israel. The chapter records the growing consequences of Hanun’s initial insult; hostility has harmed far more people than the original messengers.
Key Truth: Unfounded accusations can have consequences beyond the first encounter.
Check What You Remember
1. To which place did the Syrians come? (2 Samuel 10:16)
Find it in 2 Samuel 10:16 (KJV).
2. Which river did David cross? (2 Samuel 10:17)
Find it in 2 Samuel 10:17 (KJV).
3. Who was the Syrian captain who died? (2 Samuel 10:18)
Find it in 2 Samuel 10:18 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 18:13 — This proverb warns against answering before hearing.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
When you suspect another person’s motives, what facts do you actually know? Consider how listening, restraint, and care for the affected people could change your response.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How do the Ammonite princes reinterpret David’s gesture of comfort?
2. Why does David tell his humiliated messengers to remain at Jericho?
3. How does Joab prepare when the battle is before and behind him?
4. How does Joab combine resolve with trust about the outcome?
5. What wider result follows the second Syrian defeat?
Notes
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