2 Samuel 10
1 David's messengers, sent to comfort Hanun the son of Nahash, are villanously treated.
6 The Ammonites, strengthened by the Syrians, are overcome by Joab and Abishai.
15 Shobach, making a new supply of the Syrians at Helam, is slain by David.
[AM 2967. B.C. 1037. An. Ex. Is. 454. king.]
express ... loyalty ............ loyal <02617 06213> [shew kindness.]
Nahash <05176> [Nahash.]
father .................. father's <01> [as his father.]
think David ................. David <05869 01732> [Thinkest thou that David doth. Heb. In thine eyes doth]
David. not.
shaved off <01548> [and shaved.]
The beard is held in high respect and greatly valued in the East: the possessor considers it as his greatest ornament; often swears by it; and, in matters of great importance, pledges it; and nothing can be more secure than such a pledge; for its owner will redeem it at the hazard of his life. The beard was never cut off but in mourning, or as a sign of slavery. It is customary to shave the Ottoman princes, as a mark of their subjection to the reigning emperor. The beard is a mark of authority and liberty among the Mohammedans. The Persians who clip the beard, and shave above the jaw, are reputed heretics. They who serve in the {seraglios} have their beards shaven, as a sign of servitude; nor do they suffer them to grow till the sultan has set them at liberty. Among the Arabians, it is more infamous for anyone to appear with his beard cut off, than among us to be publicly whipped or branded; and many would prefer death to such a punishment.
cut the <03772> [cut off.]
Jericho <03405> [Jericho.]
disgusted <0887> [stank.]
Aram Beth Rehob ... Aram <01050 0758> [Syrians of Beth-rehob.]
[Zobah.]
Maacah <04601> [Maacah.]
<0382> [Ish-tob. or, the men of Tob.]
army <06635> [all the host.]
entrance <06607> [at the entering.]
This was at the city of Medeba, a city upon the borders of the Ammonites, and in their possession.
Rehob <07340> [Rehob.]
strong .... bravely <02388> [Be of good.]
This is a very animating address, and equal to any thing of the kind in ancient or modern times. Ye fight {pro aris et focis;} for every good, sacred and civil; for God, for your families, and for your countries. Such harangues, especially in very trying circumstances, are very natural, and may perhaps be found in the records of every nation. Several instances might be quoted from Roman and Grecian history; but few are more remarkable than that of Tyrtaeus, the lame Athenian poet, to whom the command of the army was given in one of the Messenian wars. The Spartans had at that time suffered great losses, and all their stratagems proved ineffectual, so that they began to despair of success; when the poet, by his lectures on honour and courage, delivered in moving verse to the army, ravished them to such a degree with the thoughts of dying for their country, that, rushing on with a furious transport to meet their enemies, they gave them an entire overthrow, and by one decisive battle brought the war to a happy conclusion.
strong .... bravely <02388> [play.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
fled <05127> [they fled.]
consolidated <0622> [A.M. 2968. B.C. 1036. An. Ex. Is. 455. gathered.]
<01928> [Hadarezer.]
Euphrates River <05104> [the river. i.e., Euphrates. Shobach. or, Shophach.]
gathered <0622> [he gathered.]
fled <05127> [fled.]
foot soldiers <06571> [horsemen.]
[footmen. Shobach.]
subject <05650> [servants.]
subjects <03372> [feared.]
