2 Samuel 10:6
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-tob twelve thousand men.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּרְאוּ֙
saw
H7200
וַיִּרְאוּ֙
saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 31
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
בְנֵֽי
And when the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
And when the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 31
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַמּ֡וֹן
of Ammon
H5983
עַמּ֡וֹן
of Ammon
Strong's:
H5983
Word #:
3 of 31
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נִבְאֲשׁ֖וּ
that they stank
H887
נִבְאֲשׁ֖וּ
that they stank
Strong's:
H887
Word #:
5 of 31
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
וַיִּשְׁלְח֣וּ
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלְח֣וּ
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
7 of 31
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
בְנֵֽי
And when the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
And when the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 31
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַמּ֡וֹן
of Ammon
H5983
עַמּ֡וֹן
of Ammon
Strong's:
H5983
Word #:
9 of 31
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲרַ֣ם
and the Syrians
H758
אֲרַ֣ם
and the Syrians
Strong's:
H758
Word #:
12 of 31
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲרַ֣ם
and the Syrians
H758
אֲרַ֣ם
and the Syrians
Strong's:
H758
Word #:
16 of 31
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
אִֽישׁ׃
a thousand
H505
אִֽישׁ׃
a thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
19 of 31
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַֽעֲכָה֙
Maacah
H4601
מַֽעֲכָה֙
Maacah
Strong's:
H4601
Word #:
23 of 31
maakah (or maakath), the name of a place in syria, also of a mesopotamian, of three israelites, and of four israelitesses and one syrian woman
אִֽישׁ׃
a thousand
H505
אִֽישׁ׃
a thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
24 of 31
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
אֶ֖לֶף
men
H376
אֶ֖לֶף
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
25 of 31
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֶ֖לֶף
men
H376
אֶ֖לֶף
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
26 of 31
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
עָשָׂ֥ר
twelve
H6240
עָשָׂ֥ר
twelve
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
29 of 31
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
Cross References
2 Samuel 8:3David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.2 Samuel 8:5And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.Genesis 34:30And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.1 Samuel 27:12And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.Judges 11:5And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:Judges 18:28And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Beth-rehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein.Judges 11:3Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.
Historical Context
The historical setting of 2 Samuel 10 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding responding to insult with strength provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage deepen your understanding of responding to insult with strength?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
- In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-tob twelve thousand men.
This verse contributes to the narrative of War with Ammon and Aram, emphasizing responding to insult with strength. The Ammonite insult to David's ambassadors and subsequent war demonstrates appropriate responses to hostility. Theological themes include honor/shame dynamics in ancient cultures, the legitimacy of responding firmly to aggression, and trusting God when facing overwhelming opposition. The Hebrew narrative emphasizes strategic wisdom alongside divine enablement.