Topical Encyclopedia The siege of Rabbah is a significant event recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. Rabbah, the capital city of the Ammonites, plays a crucial role in the narrative of King David's military campaigns and the broader history of Israel's interactions with neighboring nations.Historical Context Rabbah, known today as Amman, the capital of Jordan, was a fortified city of the Ammonites, a people descended from Lot, Abraham's nephew (Genesis 19:37-38). The Ammonites were often in conflict with Israel, and their city, Rabbah, was strategically important due to its location and fortifications. Biblical Account The siege of Rabbah is primarily detailed in 2 Samuel 11-12 and 1 Chronicles 20. The account begins with the backdrop of ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Ammonites. In the spring, the time when kings typically went out to battle, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to besiege Rabbah while he remained in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 11:1). During this period, David's infamous sin with Bathsheba occurred, leading to a series of personal and national consequences (2 Samuel 11:2-27). Despite these events, Joab continued the military campaign against Rabbah. The siege culminated in Joab capturing the royal city and sending word to David to gather the rest of the troops to finish the conquest, lest Joab be credited with the victory (2 Samuel 12:26-28). David then led the final assault, capturing the city and taking the Ammonite king's crown, which weighed a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, placing it on his own head (2 Samuel 12:29-30). The Israelites also took great spoils from the city and subjected the Ammonite people to forced labor (2 Samuel 12:31). Theological Significance The siege of Rabbah is significant for several reasons. It highlights the military prowess and territorial expansion of Israel under David's leadership. However, it also serves as a backdrop to David's moral failings and the subsequent divine judgment pronounced by the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-15). The narrative underscores the themes of sin, repentance, and the consequences of disobedience to God's commandments. Archaeological Insights Modern archaeological studies have identified the ancient site of Rabbah with the citadel of Amman. Excavations have revealed fortifications and artifacts that provide insight into the city's historical and cultural context during the time of David. Cross-References · 2 Samuel 11-12: Details the siege and David's sin with Bathsheba. · 1 Chronicles 20:1-3: Provides a parallel account of the siege and capture of Rabbah. · Genesis 19:37-38: Describes the origins of the Ammonites. The siege of Rabbah remains a poignant reminder of the complexities of leadership, the consequences of sin, and the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations. Nave's Topical Index 2 Samuel 11:1And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. Nave's Topical Index Library How David Fell in Love with Bathsheba, and Slew Her Husband Uriah ... The Later Hebrew Histories. Book 5 Footnotes Resources Who was Sennacherib in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the Branch Davidians? | GotQuestions.org Who was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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