King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 10:6 Mean?

2 Samuel 10:6 in the King James Version says “And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bet... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men. Ishtob: or, the men of Tob

2 Samuel 10:6 · KJV


Context

4

Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.

5

When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

6

And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men. Ishtob: or, the men of Tob

7

And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.

8

And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of responding to insult with strength?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וַיִּרְאוּ֙1 of 31

saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בְנֵֽי2 of 31

And when the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֡וֹן3 of 31

of Ammon

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

כִּ֥י4 of 31
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִבְאֲשׁ֖וּ5 of 31

that they stank

H887

to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally

בְּדָוִ֑ד6 of 31

before David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיִּשְׁלְח֣וּ7 of 31

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

בְנֵֽי8 of 31

And when the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֡וֹן9 of 31

of Ammon

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

וַיִּשְׂכְּרוּ֩10 of 31

and hired

H7936

to hire

אֶת11 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲרַ֣ם12 of 31

and the Syrians

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

בֵּית13 of 31
H0
רְח֜וֹב14 of 31

of Bethrehob

H1050

beth-rechob, a place in palestine

וְאֶת15 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲרַ֣ם16 of 31

and the Syrians

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

צוֹבָ֗א17 of 31

of Zoba

H6678

zoba or zobah, a region of syria

עֶשְׂרִ֥ים18 of 31

twenty

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

אִֽישׁ׃19 of 31

a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

רַגְלִ֔י20 of 31

footmen

H7273

a footman (soldier)

וְאֶת21 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֶ֤לֶךְ22 of 31

and of king

H4428

a king

מַֽעֲכָה֙23 of 31

Maacah

H4601

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׃24 of 31

a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אֶ֖לֶף25 of 31

men

H376

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)

אֶ֖לֶף26 of 31

men

H376

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)

ט֔וֹב27 of 31
H2897

tob, a region apparently east of the jordan

שְׁנֵים28 of 31
H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂ֥ר29 of 31

twelve

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

אֶ֖לֶף30 of 31

men

H376

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)

אִֽישׁ׃31 of 31

a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 10:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 10:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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