2 samuel 10:11 - He said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

Generated Verse: 2 samuel 10:11

What does "2 samuel 10:11" mean?


This verse from 2 Samuel 10:11 describes a pact between Joab, the commander of David's army, and his brother Abishai, just before a battle against the Syrians and Ammonites. Let's break down what it means:

"He said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me...": Joab is addressing Abishai. Joab is commanding the forces facing the Syrians. He's telling Abishai that if the Syrian army proves too powerful for him to handle, Abishai should come to his aid and reinforce his troops.
"...but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.": Abishai is commanding the forces facing the Ammonites. Joab promises that if Abishai's army is overwhelmed by the Ammonites, Joab will leave his battle with the Syrians and come to support Abishai.

In essence, this is a strategic agreement or mutual support pact between the brothers before a divided battle. It shows:

Military Strategy: They recognized the possibility that one of the enemy forces might be stronger than the other.
Mutual Support: They were committed to helping each other, ensuring that neither would be completely defeated if they faced overwhelming odds.
Brotherly Loyalty: Beyond the military strategy, it demonstrates a bond of loyalty and willingness to support each other in a difficult situation.
Contingency Planning: It shows that Joab was thinking ahead and planning for different possible outcomes of the battle. He wasn't just charging in blindly.

Context within the larger narrative:

This verse is part of the narrative about David's wars. The Ammonites had insulted David's messengers, leading to this conflict. This verse highlights the preparations and strategies employed by David's commanders to deal with a two-pronged attack from the Syrians (who had allied with the Ammonites) and the Ammonites themselves.

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