Question 1

What does Joab mean by “be of good courage, and let us play the men”?

Accepted Answer

Joab is speaking to Abishai and the soldiers just before a hard battle. They are surrounded by enemies in front and behind, so he knows fear is likely. When he says, “be of good courage, and let us play the men,” he is calling them to stand firm and act bravely, not for their own glory, but “for our people, and for the cities of our God.” He reminds them they are fighting to protect God’s people and the places where God is worshiped. It is a call to faithful duty in the face of danger.

Question 2

Why did Joab divide the army between Syrians and the children of Ammon?

Accepted Answer

Joab saw that the enemy forces were in front of him and behind him. The Syrians were on one side and the Ammonites on the other. To avoid being crushed, he chose the best soldiers to face the Syrians and gave the rest to Abishai to face the Ammonites. He also agreed with Abishai that they would help each other if one side was losing. This showed wise planning, courage, and trust that God could use thoughtful strategy as Israel did its part in the battle.

Question 3

What does “and the LORD do that which seemeth him good” show about Joab’s faith?

Accepted Answer

After calling the army to be brave, Joab adds, “and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.” He is not claiming to control the outcome or assuming they will win just because they fight hard. Instead, he is saying, “We will do our duty with courage, and we will leave the result in God’s hands.” This shows humble trust. Human planning and effort matter, but Joab knows that real victory comes from God, and that whatever God decides is right, even if it is not what they expect.

Question 4

Why did the Syrians and the children of Ammon run away from Israel?

Accepted Answer

First, Joab attacked the Syrians with the best troops, and they fled from him. When the Ammonites saw that the Syrians, in whom they had trusted, were running away, they lost heart and fled into their city without really fighting Abishai. Later, when all the Syrian forces gathered again at Helam to face David himself, they fought but then fled once more. God was against them, and their courage failed. Their defeat showed that fighting against the people God supports only leads to fear, loss, and retreat.

Question 5

Who are Hadarezer and Shobach in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Hadarezer is the main Syrian king behind the alliance. He had many kings serving him and brought in more Syrians from beyond the river to strengthen the fight against Israel. Shobach is named as the captain of Hadarezer’s army. He leads the combined forces at Helam against David. During the battle, David’s army defeats the Syrians, and Shobach is struck and dies there. Their roles show how strong the opposition was and how God brought down both the leader and his powerful commander when they came against Israel.

Question 6

What happened at Helam when David led Israel into battle?

Accepted Answer

After the first defeat under Joab, the Syrians gathered more troops, including those from beyond the river, and came to Helam with Shobach leading them. When David heard this, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and came to meet them. The Syrians lined up for battle and fought, but they fled before Israel. David killed the men of seven hundred chariots, forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shobach, who died there. This second, larger victory broke the power of the Syrian allies and led their kings to sue for peace.

Question 7

Why did the kings who served Hadarezer make peace with Israel?

Accepted Answer

After the Syrians were defeated twice and their commander Shobach was killed, the kings who had been serving Hadarezer saw that they “were smitten before Israel.” They realized they could not stand against David’s forces, because God was clearly helping Israel. So they chose to make peace and serve Israel instead. This not only ended their support for the Ammonites, but also brought them under Israel’s rule. It shows how God can turn those who oppose His people into those who submit and stop fighting against them.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about opposing God’s people and purposes?

Accepted Answer

Here, the Ammonites insulted David’s messengers and then hired Syrians to fight against him. The Syrians joined in, but both groups ended up fleeing and suffering heavy losses. Even when they gathered a larger army, they were beaten again, and their leaders died or surrendered. The passage shows that resisting the one God has put in place leads to shame and defeat. It also shows that those who join in that resistance will eventually pull back in fear. God is patient, but when He rises to defend His people, no alliance can stand.

Question 9

How can Joab and David’s example in this battle help believers today?

Accepted Answer

Joab and David show two key responses in a hard conflict. First, they plan wisely. Joab divides the army carefully and agrees with Abishai on mutual help. David later gathers all Israel and personally leads them. Second, they trust God with the outcome, as seen in Joab’s words, “the LORD do that which seemeth him good.” For believers, this passage encourages doing our duty with courage, supporting one another in hard times, and resting in God’s control instead of trying to control every result ourselves.

2 Samuel 10:9

When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:

David Defeats Ammon and Aram

metadata.crossReferences

2 Samuel 10:9

When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:

share.title

share.allVerses

share.verseWithContext

share.currentVerse

David Defeats Ammon and Aram

metadata.crossReferences