The Ammonites, descendants of Lot through his younger daughter (Genesis 19:38), were a perennial adversary of Israel. Their territory was located east of the Jordan River, in what is now modern-day Jordan. The Ammonites frequently clashed with the Israelites, and their interactions are recorded throughout the Old Testament. One of the most notable series of conflicts between Israel and the Ammonites involved Joab, the commander of King David's army.

Background and Initial Conflict

The conflict with the Ammonites during Joab's command began when the Ammonite king, Nahash, died, and his son Hanun ascended to the throne. David, seeking to show kindness to Hanun as Nahash had shown kindness to him, sent a delegation to express his condolences. However, the Ammonite princes suspected David's intentions, leading Hanun to humiliate David's envoys by shaving off half their beards and cutting their garments (2 Samuel 10:1-4; 1 Chronicles 19:1-4).

This act of humiliation provoked David, and the Ammonites, realizing they had become odious to Israel, hired Aramean mercenaries to bolster their forces (2 Samuel 10:6; 1 Chronicles 19:6-7).

Joab's Strategic Victory

In response, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men to confront the Ammonites and their allies. The battle took place near the city of Rabbah, the Ammonite capital. Joab, facing a formidable coalition, demonstrated strategic acumen by dividing his forces. He placed the best troops under his command against the Arameans, while the rest, under his brother Abishai, faced the Ammonites. Joab encouraged his brother, saying, "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 strategy proved effective. The Arameans fled before Joab, and when the Ammonites saw their allies retreating, they too fled from Abishai and retreated into the city (2 Samuel 10:13-14; 1 Chronicles 19:14-15).

Subsequent Campaigns and the Fall of Rabbah

Following this initial victory, the Arameans regrouped and brought reinforcements from beyond the Euphrates. David himself led the Israelite forces to a decisive victory over the Arameans at Helam, further weakening the Ammonite coalition (2 Samuel 10:15-19; 1 Chronicles 19:16-19).

The following year, David sent Joab to besiege Rabbah. The siege lasted through the winter, and eventually, Joab captured the city's water supply, a critical strategic point. Joab then sent messengers to David, urging him to come and claim the final victory to prevent the city from being named after Joab (2 Samuel 12:26-28). David arrived, captured the city, and took the crown of the Ammonite king, which weighed a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, placing it on his own head (2 Samuel 12:29-30; 1 Chronicles 20:1-2).

Aftermath and Legacy

The victories over the Ammonites under Joab's command solidified Israel's dominance in the region and expanded David's influence. The Ammonites were subjected to forced labor, and their cities were incorporated into David's growing empire (2 Samuel 12:31; 1 Chronicles 20:3). These events underscore the military prowess of Joab and the strategic leadership of David, as well as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel regarding their enemies.2 Samuel 10:7-14
And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 12:26-29
And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

'More than Conquerors through Him'
... were vulgar and poor, compared with the victories that would ... Note that it was as
Joab 'drew nigh unto ... if in sudden panic, and infected the Ammonites with their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/more than conquerors through him.htm

The Reign of David.
... the Syrians, the Edomites and the Ammonites. ... His charge to Solomon to put to death
Shimei and Joab. ... nations conquered by David and how the victories were won ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xi the reign of.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... become King of Israel, and his general, Joab, had subdued ... The Ammonites believed
themselves to be the children of the ... left us a record of his victories, the so ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Israelites
... Moabites and Midianites, Ammonites and Bedawin, even the king ... His victories over
the Philistines were celebrated in popular ... however, was slain by Joab while in ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... views have been put forward as to the account of his victories over the Midianites ...
from the East, sheikhs of the Midianites, Moabites, and Ammonites"all these ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

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