2 Samuel 10:9

9 videns igitur Ioab quod praeparatum esset adversum se proelium et ex adverso et post tergum elegit ex omnibus electis Israhel et instruxit aciem contra Syrum

2 Samuel 10:9 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 10:9

When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him
before and behind
Or "the face" of it ^F23; armies appeared both before and behind, about to attack him both in front and rear; the Targum is,

``and Joab saw that the warriors, or those that made war, were strong against him before and behind:''

he chose of all the choice [men] of Israel;
the most eminent for strength, and valour, and military skill, who had been tried, and were famous for warlike exploits, the flower of the army:

and put [them] in array against the Syrians;
who might be the strongest party, and the best soldiers; though being but mercenaries, if hard beset, would sooner give way, as he might suppose, upon which the Ammonites would do the same.

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 (ynp) "facies", Pagninus, Montanus.

2 Samuel 10:9 In-Context

7 quod cum audisset David misit Ioab et omnem exercitum bellatorum

8 egressi sunt ergo filii Ammon et direxerunt aciem ante ipsum introitum portae Syrus autem Soba et Roob et Histob et Maacha seorsum erant in campo

9 videns igitur Ioab quod praeparatum esset adversum se proelium et ex adverso et post tergum elegit ex omnibus electis Israhel et instruxit aciem contra Syrum

10 reliquam autem partem populi tradidit Abisai fratri suo qui direxit aciem adversum filios Ammon

11 et ait Ioab si praevaluerint adversum me Syri eris mihi in adiutorium si autem filii Ammon praevaluerint adversum te auxiliabor tibi