Topical Bible: Syria: David: Destroyed a Second Army of

◄ Syria: David: Destroyed a Second Army of ►

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In the biblical narrative, the nation of Syria, also known as Aram, plays a significant role in the history of Israel, particularly during the reign of King David. The account of David's military engagements with Syria is a testament to his leadership and the divine favor that accompanied his reign.

The conflict with Syria is detailed in the context of David's broader military campaigns to secure and expand the borders of Israel. After establishing his rule over Israel and uniting the tribes, David sought to subdue neighboring nations that posed a threat to the security and prosperity of his kingdom. Among these nations was Syria, a powerful and influential region to the north of Israel.

The specific event of David destroying a second army of Syria is recorded in 2 Samuel 10 and 1 Chronicles 19. This conflict arose after the Ammonites, who had previously humiliated David's envoys, sought the assistance of the Syrians to bolster their defenses against Israel. The Ammonites hired Syrian forces from various regions, including Beth-rehob, Zobah, Maacah, and Tob, to form a formidable coalition against David.

In response, David dispatched Joab, the commander of his army, to confront the allied forces. The battle strategy involved Joab leading the main force against the Syrians, while his brother Abishai took charge of the troops facing the Ammonites. The biblical account highlights the courage and faith of Joab as he prepared for battle, exhorting his troops with the words: "Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight" (2 Samuel 10:12).

The initial engagement saw the Syrians retreating before Joab's forces, prompting the Ammonites to flee as well. However, the conflict did not end there. The Syrians regrouped and reinforced their army, led by Hadadezer, king of Zobah. In response, David himself took command of the Israelite forces and crossed the Jordan River to confront the renewed Syrian threat.

The ensuing battle was decisive. David's forces defeated the Syrians, killing seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand horsemen, and striking down Shobach, the commander of the Syrian army (2 Samuel 10:18). This victory not only demonstrated David's military prowess but also served as a powerful testament to the LORD's support for Israel. The defeat of the Syrian coalition led to a shift in regional power dynamics, with many of the Syrian vassals choosing to make peace with Israel and serve David.

This episode in David's reign underscores the themes of divine providence, the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, and the establishment of a kingdom characterized by justice and righteousness. The destruction of the second Syrian army by David is a pivotal moment that solidified his reputation as a formidable warrior king and a man after God's own heart.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 10:15-19
And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Hadad King of Damascus and of Syria, Made Two Expeditions ...
... From The Death Of David To The Death Of Ahab ... when he was informed that the king of
Syria had betaken ... upon them, and slew them; nay, they were destroyed by their ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 how hadad king.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... up since the Canaanites had been destroyed, and the Philistines repressed, by David;
namely, the ... to Ahab, because Benhadad, King of Syria, fancied that the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

Psalm LX.
... hid the idols in Sichima [2310] which he had from Syria, where for ... 2330] Wherefore
hast destroyed us? ... show Thy power, such as Thou hast shown in David, in Moses ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lx.htm

The Nations of the North-East
... Its capture by Sargon destroyed a rival of Assyrian ... But the empire of David was hardly
longer lived. ... to establish themselves in Mesopotamia and Syria, and to ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iv the nations of.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... of the fifteenth century overran Georgia, Syria, and Anatolia ... and his kingdom that
which shall not be destroyed.... ... testifies when he says to David, "Thy house ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... How, Upon Herod's Going Down Into David's Sepulcher, The ... Varus, Who Was Then President
Of Syria; And How ... Samaritans Made A Tumult And Pilate Destroyed Many Of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... The name of his successor is destroyed in the ... the outlying dependencies"Cilicia,
Melitene, Northern Syria, and then ... the head and legs of the second horse in ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... third figures are Medes, the second and fourth ... Their migration from Media into Syria
and Palestine ... the circumstance that Hezekiah had destroyed the provincial ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Maccabees.
... paintings of the heathen idols, were destroyed, by order ... and obtained from Rome,
Egypt, and Syria, an acknowledgment ... up in the sepulchre of David, 3000 talents ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xviii the maccabees.htm

Canaan
... The Hittites established themselves in Syria "in the land of the ... Shiloh and its temple
were destroyed, and its ... and after the accession of David all distinction ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm