2 Samuel 10:14

10:6-14 They that are at war with the Son of David, not only give the provocation, but begin the war. God has forces to send against those that set his wrath at defiance, Isa 5:19, which will convince them that none ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered. Christ's soldiers should strengthen one another's hands in their spiritual warfare. Let nothing be wanting in us, whatever the success be. When we make conscience of doing our duty, we may, with satisfaction, leave the event with God, assuredly hoping for his salvation in his own way and time.

And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled,.... In whom they put great confidence: then they fled also before Abishai; without engaging at all with him, as it seems: and entered into the city; out of which they came, either Rabbah or Medeba, for their safety: so Joab returned from the children of Ammon; did not stay to lay siege to their city, the season of the year not being proper for it, winter drawing near; see 2 Samuel 11:1, and came to Jerusalem; in triumph, to report to David the victory he had obtained.

(14) Came to Jerusalem. —Why the victory was not at once followed up it is not said. Perhaps the army of Israel was too much exhausted by their victory; perhaps they were unprovided with the necessaries for a siege; and perhaps the season was already too far advanced. Whatever may have been the cause, the delay gave the allies opportunity to rally.

18–23. Exploits of Abishai and Benaiah 18 . Abishai ] David’s valiant but hard-hearted nephew, who shared the command of the army with his brother Joab in the Ammonite war and in Absalom’s rebellion (ch. 2 Samuel 10:10 ; 2 Samuel 10:14 , 2 Samuel 18:2 ). The characteristic trait of his nature was a blunt impetuous ferocity. See 1 Samuel 26:8 ; 2 Samuel 16:9 ; 2 Samuel 19:21 . chief among three ] The Qrî reads chief of the three ; those namely who were mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:17 . But the Kthîbh has chief of the aides-de-camp , as in 2 Samuel 23:8 . among three ] As before, among the three.

Verse 14. - So Joab returned. It seems strange to us that Joab should have made no attempt to follow up his victory. But as the Ammonites were posted close to the gate of their city, they would withdraw into it without less as soon as they learned that their allies were defeated. There was thus the certainty of a long siege before Rabbah could be taken. We gather from 2 Samuel 11:1 that it was late in the year when Joab won this victory, and it was part of the weakness of ancient warfare that a long campaign was beyond the power of either side. 2 Samuel 10:14

That the Syrians were fled; in whose numbers and prowess they had the most confidence. Joab returned from the children of Ammon; not judging it convenient or safe to pursue them, because the forces were not utterly ruined, but only dispersed and put to flight, and so might easily rally together.

Joab then advanced with his army to battle against Aram, and "they fled before him." - 2 Samuel 10:14 . When the Ammonites perceived this, they also fled before Abishai, and drew back into the city (Rabbah); whereupon Joab returned to Jerusalem, probably because as we may infer from 2 Samuel 11:1 , it was too late in the year for the siege and capture of Rabbah.