mh_parser/vol_split/10 - 2Samuel/Chapter 10.xml

<div2 id="iiSam.xi" n="xi" next="iiSam.xii" prev="iiSam.x" progress="43.21%" title="Chapter X">
<h2 id="iiSam.xi-p0.1">S E C O N D   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iiSam.xi-p0.2">CHAP. X.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiSam.xi-p1">This chapter gives us an account of a war David
has with the Ammonites and the Syrians their allies, with the
occasion and success of it. I. David sent a friendly embassy to
Hanun king of the Ammonites, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.1-2Sam.10.2" parsed="|2Sam|10|1|10|2" passage="2Sa 10:1,2">ver. 1,
2</scripRef>. II. He, upon a base surmise that it was ill intended,
abused David's ambassadors, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.3-2Sam.10.4" parsed="|2Sam|10|3|10|4" passage="2Sa 10:3,4">ver. 3,
4</scripRef>. III. David resenting it (<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.5" parsed="|2Sam|10|5|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:5">ver. 5</scripRef>), and the Ammonites prepared for war
against him, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.6" parsed="|2Sam|10|6|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:6">ver. 6</scripRef>. IV.
David carried the war into their country, sent against them. Joab
and Abishai, who addressed themselves to the battle with a great
deal of conduct and bravery, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.7-2Sam.10.12" parsed="|2Sam|10|7|10|12" passage="2Sa 10:7-12">ver.
7-12</scripRef>. V. The Ammonites, and the Syrians their allies,
were totally routed, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.13-2Sam.10.14" parsed="|2Sam|10|13|10|14" passage="2Sa 10:13,14">ver. 13,
14</scripRef>. VI. The forces of the Syrians, which rallied again,
were a second time defeated, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.15-2Sam.10.19" parsed="|2Sam|10|15|10|19" passage="2Sa 10:15-19">ver.
15-19</scripRef>. Thus did David advance his own reputation for
gratitude, in returning kindness, and for justice, in repaying
injuries.</p>
<scripCom id="iiSam.xi-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10" parsed="|2Sam|10|0|0|0" passage="2Sa 10" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiSam.xi-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.1-2Sam.10.5" parsed="|2Sam|10|1|10|5" passage="2Sa 10:1-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.10.1-2Sam.10.5">
<h4 id="iiSam.xi-p1.10">Hanun's Usage of David's
Servants. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xi-p1.11">b. c.</span> 1038.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xi-p2">1 And it came to pass after this, that the king
of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his
stead.   2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun
the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David
sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And
David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
  3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun
their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that
he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David <i>rather</i>
sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out,
and to overthrow it?   4 Wherefore Hanun took David's
servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off
their garments in the middle, <i>even</i> to their buttocks, and
sent them away.   5 When they told <i>it</i> 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
<i>then</i> return.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xi-p3">Here is, I. The great respect David paid to
his neighbour, the king of the Ammonites, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.1-2Sam.10.2" parsed="|2Sam|10|1|10|2" passage="2Sa 10:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1, 2</scripRef>. 1. The inducement to it was
some kindness he had formerly received from Nahash the deceased
king. He <i>showed kindness to me,</i> says David (<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.2" parsed="|2Sam|10|2|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), and therefore (having
lately had satisfaction in showing kindness to Mephibosheth for his
father's sake) he resolves to show kindness to his son, and to keep
up a friendly correspondence with him. Thus the pleasure of doing
one kind and generous action should excite us to another. Nahash
had been an enemy to Israel, a cruel enemy (<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.11.2" parsed="|1Sam|11|2|0|0" passage="1Sa 11:2">1 Sam. xi. 2</scripRef>), and yet had shown kindness to
David, perhaps only in contradiction to Saul, who was unkind to
him: however, if David receives kindness, he is not nice in
examining the grounds and principles of it, but resolves gratefully
to return it. If a Pharisee give alms in pride, though God will not
reward him, yet he that receives the alms ought to return thanks
for it. God knows the heart, but we do not. 2. The particular
instance of respect was sending an embassy to condole with him on
his father's death, as is common among princes in alliance with
each other: <i>David sent to comfort him.</i> Note, It is a comfort
to children, when their parents are dead, to find that their
parents' friends are theirs, and that they intend to keep up an
acquaintance with them. It is a comfort to mourners to find that
there are those who mourn with them, are sensible of their loss and
share with them in it. It is a comfort to those who are honouring
the memory of their deceased relations to find there are others who
likewise honour it and who had a value for those whom they
valued.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xi-p4">II. The great affront which Hanun the king
of the Ammonites put upon David in his ambassadors. 1. He hearkened
to the spiteful suggestions of his princes, who insinuated that
David's ambassadors, under pretence of being comforters, were sent
as spies, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.3" parsed="|2Sam|10|3|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>.
False men are ready to think others as false as themselves; and
those that bear ill-will to their neighbours are resolved not to
believe that their neighbours bear any good-will to them. They
would not thus have imagined that David dissembled but that they
were conscious to themselves that they could have dissembled, to
serve a turn. Unfounded suspicion argues a wicked mind. Bishop
Patrick's note on this is that "there is nothing so well meant but
it may be ill interpreted, and is wont to be so by men who love
nobody but themselves." Men of the greatest honour and virtue must
not think it strange if they be thus misrepresented. <i>Charity
thinketh no evil.</i> 2. Entertaining this vile suggestion, he
basely abused David's ambassadors, like a man of a sordid
villainous spirit, that was fitter to rake a kennel than to wear a
crown. If he had any reason to suspect that David's messengers came
on a bad design, he would have done prudently enough to be upon the
reserve with them, and to dismiss them as soon as he could; but it
is plain he only sought an occasion to put the utmost disgrace he
could upon them, out of an antipathy to their king and their
country. They were themselves men of honour, and much more so as
they represented the prince that sent them; they and their
reputation were under the special protection of the law of nations;
they put a confidence in the Ammonites, and came among them
unarmed; yet Hanun used them like rogues and vagabonds, and worse,
<i>shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their
garments in the midst,</i> to expose them to the contempt and
ridicule of his servants, that they might make sport with them and
that these men might seem vile.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xi-p5">III. David's tender concern for his
servants that were thus abused. He sent to meet them, and to let
them know how much he interested himself in their quarrel and how
soon he would avenge it, and directed them to stay at Jericho, a
private place, where they would not have occasion to come into
company, till that half of their beards which was shaved off had
grown to such a length that the other half might be decently cut to
it, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.5" parsed="|2Sam|10|5|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. The Jews
wore their beards long, reckoning it an honour to appear aged and
grave; and therefore it was not fit that persons of their rank and
figure should appear at court unlike their neighbours. Change of
raiment, it is likely, they had with them, to put on, instead of
that which was cut off; but the loss of their beards would not be
so soon repaired; yet in time these would grow again, and all would
be well. Let us learn not to lay too much to heart unjust
reproaches; after awhile they will wear off of themselves, and turn
only to the shame of their authors, while the injured reputation in
a little time grows again, as these beards did. God will <i>bring
forth thy righteousness as the light,</i> therefore <i>wait
patiently for him,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.37.6-Ps.37.7" parsed="|Ps|37|6|37|7" passage="Ps 37:6,7">Ps. xxxvii. 6,
7</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xi-p6">Some have thought that David, in the
indignity he received from the king of Ammon, was but well enough
served for courting and complimenting that pagan prince, whom he
knew to be an inveterate enemy to Israel, and might now remember
how, when he would have put out the right eyes of the men of
Jabesh-Gilead, he designed that, as he did this, for a <i>reproach
upon all Israel,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.11.2" parsed="|1Sam|11|2|0|0" passage="1Sa 11:2">1 Sam. xi.
2</scripRef>. What better usage could he expect from such a
spiteful family and people? Why should he covet the friendship of a
people whom Israel must have so little to do with as that an
Ammonite might not <i>enter into the congregation of the Lord, even
to the tenth generation?</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.23.3" parsed="|Deut|23|3|0|0" passage="De 23:3">Deut.
xxiii. 3</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xi-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.6-2Sam.10.14" parsed="|2Sam|10|6|10|14" passage="2Sa 10:6-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.10.6-2Sam.10.14">
<h4 id="iiSam.xi-p6.4">The Ammonites and Syrians
Defeated. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xi-p6.5">b. c.</span> 1037.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xi-p7">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 Ishtob twelve
thousand men.   7 And when David heard of <i>it,</i> 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, <i>were</i> by themselves in the field.   9 When Joab
saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind,
he chose of all the choice <i>men</i> of Israel, and put
<i>them</i> in array against the Syrians:   10 And the rest of
the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that
he might put <i>them</i> in array against the children of Ammon.
  11 And 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 come and help thee.   12 Be of good courage,
and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our
God: and the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xi-p7.1">Lord</span> do that which
seemeth him good.   13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that
<i>were</i> with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they
fled before him.   14 And when the children of Ammon saw that
the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and
entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon,
and came to Jerusalem.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xi-p8">Here we have, I. The preparation which the
Ammonites made for war, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.6" parsed="|2Sam|10|6|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. They saw they had made themselves very odious to
David and obnoxious to his just displeasure. This they might easily
have foreseen when they abused his ambassadors, which was no other
than a challenge to war, and a bold defiance of him. Yet, it seems,
they had not considered how unable they were, with their thousands,
to meet his; for now they found themselves an unequal match, and
were forced to hire forces of other nations into their service.
Thus sinners daringly provoke God, and expose themselves to his
wrath, and never consider that he is <i>stronger than they,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.10.22" parsed="|1Cor|10|22|0|0" passage="1Co 10:22">1 Cor. x. 22</scripRef>. The
Ammonites gave the affront first, and they were the first that
raised forces to justify it. Had they humbled themselves, and
begged David's pardon, probably an honorary satisfaction might have
atoned for the offence. But, when they were thus desperately
resolved to stand by what they had done, they courted their own
ruin.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xi-p9">II. The speedy descent which David's forces
made upon them, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.7" parsed="|2Sam|10|7|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. When David heard of their military preparations, he
sent Joab with a great army to attack them, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.7" parsed="|2Sam|10|7|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. Those that are at war with the
Son of David not only give the provocation, but begin the war; for
he <i>waits to be gracious,</i> but they <i>strengthen themselves
against him,</i> and therefore, <i>if they turn not, he will whet
his sword,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.7.12" parsed="|Ps|7|12|0|0" passage="Ps 7:12">Ps. vii. 12</scripRef>.
God has forces to send against those that set his wrath at defiance
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.5.19" parsed="|Isa|5|19|0|0" passage="Isa 5:19">Isa. v. 19</scripRef>), which will
convince them, when it is too late, that <i>none ever hardened his
heart against God and prospered.</i> It was David's prudence to
carry the war into their country, and fight them at the entering in
of the gate of their capital city, <i>Rabbah,</i> as some think, or
<i>Medeba,</i> a city in their borders, before which they pitched
to guard their coast, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.19.7" parsed="|1Chr|19|7|0|0" passage="1Ch 19:7">1 Chron. xix.
7</scripRef>. Such are the terrors and desolations of war that
every good prince will, in love to his people, keep it as much as
may be at a distance from them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xi-p10">III. Preparations made on both sides for an
engagement. 1. The enemy disposed themselves into two bodies, one
of Ammonites, which, being their own, were posted at the gate of
the city; the other of Syrians, whom they had taken into their pay,
and who were therefore posted at a distance in the field, to charge
the forces of Israel in the flank or rear, while the Ammonites
charged them in the front, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.8" parsed="|2Sam|10|8|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>. 2. Joab, like a wise general, was soon aware of the
design, and accordingly divided his forces: the choicest men he
took under his own command, to fight the Syrians, whom probably he
knew to be the better soldiers, and, being hired men, better versed
in the arts of war, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.9" parsed="|2Sam|10|9|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>. The rest of the forces he put under the command of
Abishai his brother, to engage the Ammonites, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.10" parsed="|2Sam|10|10|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. It should seem, Joab found the
enemy so well prepared to receive them that his conduct and courage
were never so tried as now.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xi-p11">IV. Joab's speech before the battle,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.11-2Sam.10.12" parsed="|2Sam|10|11|10|12" passage="2Sa 10:11,12"><i>v.</i> 11, 12</scripRef>. It is
not long, but pertinent, and brave. 1. He prudently concerts the
matter with Abishai his brother, that the dividing of the forces
might not be the weakening of them, but that, which part soever was
borne hard upon, the other should come in to its assistance. He
supposes the worst, that one of them should be obliged to give
back; and in that case, upon a signal given, the other should send
a detachment to relieve it. Note, Mutual helpfulness is brotherly
duty. If occasion be, <i>thou shalt help me, and I will help
thee.</i> Christ's soldiers should thus strengthen one another's
hands in their spiritual warfare. The strong must succour and help
the weak. Those that through grace are conquerors over temptation
must counsel, and comfort, and pray for, those that are tempted.
<i>When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.22.32" parsed="|Luke|22|32|0|0" passage="Lu 22:32">Luke xxii. 32</scripRef>. The members of the
natural body help one another, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.12.21" parsed="|1Cor|12|21|0|0" passage="1Co 12:21">1 Cor.
xii. 21</scripRef>. 2. He bravely encourages himself, and his
brother, and the rest of the officers and soldiers, to do their
utmost. Great dangers put an edge upon true courage. When Joab saw
the front of the battle was against him, both before and behind,
instead of giving orders to make an honourable retreat, he animated
his men to charge so much more furiously: <i>Be of good courage and
let us play the men,</i> not for pay and preferment, for honour and
fame, but <i>for our people, and for the cities of our God,</i> for
the public safety and welfare, in which the glory of God is so much
interested. <i>God and our country</i> was the word. "Let us be
valiant, from a principle of love to Israel, that are our people,
descended from the same stock, for whom we are employed, and in
whose peace we shall have peace; and from a principle of love to
God, for they are his cities that we are fighting in the defence
of." The relation which any person or thing stands in to God should
endear it to us, and engage us to do our utmost in its service. 3.
He piously leaves the issue with God: "When we have done our part,
according to the duty of our place, <i>let the Lord do that which
seemeth to him good.</i>" Let nothing be wanting in us, whatever
the success be; let God's work be done by us, and then God's will
be done concerning us. When we make conscience of doing our duty we
may, with the greatest satisfaction, leave the event with God, not
thinking that our valour binds him to prosper us, but that still he
may do as he pleases, yet hoping for his salvation in his own way
and time.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xi-p12">V. The victory Joab obtained over the
confederate forces of Syria and Ammon, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.13-2Sam.10.14" parsed="|2Sam|10|13|10|14" passage="2Sa 10:13,14"><i>v.</i> 13, 14</scripRef>. He provided for the
worst, and put the case that the Syrians and Ammonites might prove
too strong for him (<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.11" parsed="|2Sam|10|11|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>), but he proved too strong for them both. We do not
hinder our success by preparing for disappointment. The Syrians
were first routed by Joab, and then the Ammonites by Abishai; the
Ammonites seem not to have fought at all, but, upon the retreat of
the Syrians, to have fled into the city. It is a temptation to
soldiers to fly when they have a city at their backs to fly to. It
is one thing when men may either fight or fly and another thing
when they must either fight or die.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xi-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.15-2Sam.10.19" parsed="|2Sam|10|15|10|19" passage="2Sa 10:15-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.10.15-2Sam.10.19">
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xi-p13">15 And when the Syrians saw that they were
smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.   16
And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that <i>were</i>
beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain
of the host of Hadarezer <i>went</i> before them.   17 And
when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed
over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in
array against David, and fought with him.   18 And the Syrians
fled before Israel; and David slew <i>the men of</i> seven hundred
chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote
Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.   19 And
when all the kings <i>that were</i> servants to Hadarezer saw that
they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and
served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon
any more.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xi-p14">Here is, 1. A new attempt of the Syrians to
recover their lost honour and to check the progress of David's
victorious arms. The forces that were lately dispersed rallied
again, and <i>gathered themselves together,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.15" parsed="|2Sam|10|15|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. Even the baffled cause will
make head as long as there is any life in it; the enemies of the
Son of David do so, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.22.34 Bible:Rev.19.19" parsed="|Matt|22|34|0|0;|Rev|19|19|0|0" passage="Mt 22:34,Re 19:19">Matt,
xxii. 34; Rev. xix. 19</scripRef>. These, being conscious of their
insufficiency, called in the aid of their allies and dependencies
on the other side of <i>the river</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.16" parsed="|2Sam|10|16|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>), and, being thus recruited,
they hoped to make their part good against Israel, but <i>they knew
not the thoughts of the Lord, for he gathered them as sheaves into
the floor;</i> see <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Mic.4.11-Mic.4.13" parsed="|Mic|4|11|4|13" passage="Mic 4:11-13">Mic. iv.
11-13</scripRef>. 2. The defeat of this attempt by the vigilance
and valour of David, who, upon notice of their design, resolved not
to stay till they attacked him, but went in person at the head of
his army over Jordan (<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.17" parsed="|2Sam|10|17|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>), and, in a pitched battle, routed the Syrians
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p14.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.18" parsed="|2Sam|10|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>), slew 7000
men, who belonged to 700 chariots, and 40,000 other soldiers, horse
and foot, as appears by comparing <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p14.7" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.19.18" parsed="|1Chr|19|18|0|0" passage="1Ch 19:18">1
Chron. xix. 18</scripRef>. Their general was killed in the battle,
and David came home in triumph, no doubt. 3. The consequence of
this victory over the Syrians. (1.) David gained several
tributaries, <scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p14.8" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.19" parsed="|2Sam|10|19|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>.
<i>The kings,</i> or petty princes, that had been subject to
Hadarezer, when they saw how powerful David was, very wisely
<i>made peace with Israel,</i> whom they found they could not make
war with, <i>and served them,</i> since they were able to give them
protection. Thus the promise made to Abraham (<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p14.9" osisRef="Bible:Gen.15.18" parsed="|Gen|15|18|0|0" passage="Ge 15:18">Gen. xv. 18</scripRef>), and repeated to Joshua
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p14.10" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.1.4" parsed="|2Sam|1|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 1:4"><i>ch.</i> i. 4</scripRef>), that the
borders of Israel should extend to the river Euphrates, was
performed, at length. (2.) The Ammonites lost their old allies:
<i>The Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon,</i> not
because they had an unrighteous cause (justifying a crime which was
a breach of the law of nations), but because they found it was an
unsuccessful cause. It is dangerous helping those that have God
against them; for, when they fall, their helpers will fall with
them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xi-p15">Jesus Christ, the Son of David, sent his
ambassadors, his apostles and ministers, after all his servants the
prophets, to the Jewish church and nation; but they treated them
shamefully, as Hanun did David's ambassadors, mocked them, abused
them, slew them; and it was this that filled the measure of their
iniquity, and brought upon them ruin without remedy (<scripRef id="iiSam.xi-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.21.35 Bible:Matt.21.41 Bible:Matt.22.7 Bible:2Chr.26.16" parsed="|Matt|21|35|0|0;|Matt|21|41|0|0;|Matt|22|7|0|0;|2Chr|26|16|0|0" passage="Mt 21:35,41,22:7,2Ch 26:16">Matt. xxi. 35, 41; xxii. 7;
compare 2 Chron. xxvi. 16</scripRef>); for Christ takes the
affronts and injuries done to his ministers as done to himself and
will avenge them accordingly.</p>
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