and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle. 8And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. 9And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field. 10Now when Joab saw that [1]the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. 11And the rest of the people he committed into the hand of [2]Abishai his brother, and they put themselves in array against the children of Ammon. 12And 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 help thee. 13Be 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. 14So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him. 15And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem. 16And when the Syrians saw that they were put
Medeba] In the territory of Reuben; Josh. xiii. 16. The country round is a table-land suited for the manœuvres of chariots. The place of the rendezvous of the allies is not mentioned in 2 Sam. x., some words having probably fallen out of the text.
8. David . . . sent Joab] Why in such a crisis did he not go himself? Perhaps because he could watch the gathering of the more serious storm described in vv. 16—19 better from Jerusalem.
10. he chose of all the choice men] The Syrians were the more formidable because of the chariots they had; Joab therefore opposed to them the flower of his army.
13. the cities of our God] The cities which our God has given us and in which He is worshipped. If these were captured by the enemy, false gods would be worshipped in them. Religious feeling often supplies the place of patriotism in the East.
14. drew nigh before the Syrians] Without fear for their own rear advanced against the Syrian front.
15. Joab came to Jerusalem] Probably because he was wanted for the new danger gathering in the North.
