David's Messengers Disgraced
(2 Samuel 10:1-8)
1Now it came to pass after this,that Nahashthe kingof the childrenof Ammondied,and his sonreignedin his stead.2And Davidsaid,I will shewkindnessunto Hanunthe sonof Nahash,because his fathershewedkindnessto me. And Davidsentmessengersto comforthim concerning his father.So the servantsof Davidcameinto the landof the childrenof Ammonto Hanun,to comforthim.3But the princesof the childrenof Ammonsaidto Hanun,Thinkestthou that Daviddoth honourthy father,that he hath sentcomfortersunto thee? are not his servantscomeunto thee for to search,and to overthrow,and to spy outthe land?4Wherefore HanuntookDavid'sservants,and shavedthem, and cut offtheir garmentsin the midsthard by their buttocks,and sent them away.5Then there went[certain], and toldDavidhow the menwere served. And he sentto meetthem: for the menwere greatlyashamed.And the kingsaid,Tarryat Jerichountil your beardsbe grown,and [then] return.
6And when the childrenof Ammonsawthat they had made themselves odiousto David,Hanunand the childrenof Ammonsenta thousandtalentsof silverto hirethem chariotsand horsemenout of Mesopotamia,and out of Syriamaachah,and out of Zobah.7So they hiredthirtyand twothousandchariots,and the kingof Maachahand his people;who cameand pitchedbeforeMedeba.And the childrenof Ammongathered themselves togetherfrom their cities,and cameto battle.8And when Davidheard[of it], he sentJoab,and all the hostof the mighty men.9And the childrenof Ammoncame out,and put the battlein arraybefore the gateof the city:and the kingsthat were come[were] by themselves in the field.
David Defeats Ammon and Syria
(2 Samuel 10:9-19)
10Now when Joabsawthat the battlewas set against him beforeand behind,he chose outof all the choiceof Israel,and put [them] in arrayagainstthe Syrians.11And the restof the peoplehe deliveredunto the handof Abishaihis brother,and they set [themselves] in arrayagainstthe childrenof Ammon.12And he said,If the Syriansbe too strongfor me, then thou shalt helpme: but if the childrenof Ammonbe too strongfor thee, then I will helpthee.13Be of good courage,and let us behave ourselves valiantlyfor our people,and for the citiesof our God:and let the LORDdo[that which is] goodin his sight.14So Joaband the peoplethat [were] with him drew nighbeforethe Syriansunto the battle;and they fledbeforehim.15And when the childrenof Ammonsawthat the Syrianswere fled,they likewise fledbeforeAbishaihis brother,and enteredinto the city.Then Joabcameto Jerusalem.
16And when the Syrianssawthat they were put to the worsebeforeIsrael,they sentmessengers,and drew forththe Syriansthat [were] beyondthe river:and Shophachthe captainof the hostof Hadarezer[went] beforethem.17And it was toldDavid;and he gatheredall Israel,and passed overJordan,and cameupon them, and set [the battle] in arrayagainst them. So when Davidhad put the battlein arrayagainstthe Syrians,they foughtwith him.18But the SyriansfledbeforeIsrael;and Davidslewof the Syriansseventhousand[men which fought in] chariots,and fortythousandfootmen,and killedShophachthe captainof the host.19And when the servantsof Hadarezersawthat they were put to the worsebeforeIsrael,they made peacewith David,and became his servants:neither wouldthe Syrianshelpthe childrenof Ammonany more.
