The Ammonite-Syrian Alliance

And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem. —2 Samuel 10:14

Israel’s military power alarmed the countries bordering Canaan.

Victory after victory increased the fear that they would eventually be swallowed up by David’s forces. Realizing war was inevitable, Hanun, king of Ammon, hired Syrian mercenaries (1 Chronicles 19:6, 7). Together, they hoped to overwhelm Israel and gain victory. “It was indeed a formidable alliance. The inhabitants of the region lying between the river Euphrates and the Mediterranean Sea had leagued with the Ammonites.

The north and east of Canaan was encircled with armed foes, banded together to crush the kingdom of Israel. “The Hebrews did not wait for the invasion of their country. Their forces, under Joab, crossed the Jordan and advanced toward the Ammonite capital.” Joab found himself between two forces. If he advanced on one, the other would fall upon his rear guard. Joab’s only advantage lay in the fact he had a consolidated force.

Dividing his army, he had one-half attack one way while the other half attacked in the opposite direction simultaneously. “The best of the Israelite troops were chosen for the attack on the Syrians, since with their chariots and cavalry they formed the strongest part of the enemy forces. Joab himself took charge of these troops.” The fate of Israel rested upon the outcome of this battle. Joab’s forces and his brother Abishai’s forces were fighting back to back. Each trusted the other to come to his aid if needed. Had the Syrians resisted Israel’s attack, the Ammonites would have advanced to encircle the embattled Israelite army, but the Syrians fled. When the Ammonites saw their allies leaving, they lost heart and retreated into their city.

Joab could not pursue the rapidly fleeing Syrian chariots, and he was not prepared to lay siege to the Ammonite capital. Instead, he led the victorious Hebrew army home to Jerusalem. Just because we resist the occasional temptation does not mean our war against sin is over!