2 Samuel 10:14
New International Version
When the Ammonites realized that the Arameans were fleeing, they fled before Abishai and went inside the city. So Joab returned from fighting the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

New Living Translation
And when the Ammonites saw the Arameans running, they ran from Abishai and retreated into the city. After the battle was over, Joab returned to Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

Berean Standard Bible
When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Abishai, and they entered the city. So Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai, and entered the city. So Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went to Jerusalem.

New American Standard Bible
When the sons of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled from Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the sons of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.

NASB 1995
When the sons of Ammon saw that the Arameans fled, they also fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the sons of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.

NASB 1977
When the sons of Ammon saw that the Arameans fled, they also fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the sons of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the sons of Ammon saw that the Arameans fled. So they also fled before Abishai and came into the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the sons of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.

Amplified Bible
When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled before Abishai and entered the city. So Joab returned from battling against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

Christian Standard Bible
When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Abishai and entered the city. So Joab withdrew from the attack against the Ammonites and went to Jerusalem.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Abishai and entered the city. So Joab withdrew from the attack against the Ammonites and went to Jerusalem.

American Standard Version
And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

Contemporary English Version
When the Ammonite soldiers saw that the Arameans had run away, they ran from Abishai's soldiers and went back into their own city. Joab stopped fighting the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem.

English Revised Version
And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, the Ammonites fled from Abishai and went into the city. So Joab stopped his campaign against the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
When the Ammonites saw the Syrians running away, they fled from Abishai and retreated into the city. Then Joab turned back from fighting the Ammonites and went back to Jerusalem.

International Standard Version
When the Ammonites saw the Arameans retreating, they also retreated from Abishai back to the city. Then Joab broke off his attack against the Ammonites and went back to Jerusalem.

Majority Standard Bible
When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Abishai, and they entered the city. So Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

NET Bible
When the Ammonites saw the Arameans flee, they fled before his brother Abishai and went into the city. Joab withdrew from fighting the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
When the people of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the people of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

World English Bible
When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the sons of Ammon have seen that Aram has fled, and they flee from the presence of Abishai, and go into the city; and Joab turns back from the sons of Ammon, and comes to Jerusalem.

Young's Literal Translation
and the Bene-Ammon have seen that Aram hath fled, and they flee from the presence of Abishai, and go in to the city; and Joab turneth back from the Bene-Ammon, and cometh in to Jerusalem.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of Ammon saw that Aram fled and they will flee from the face of Abishai, and come into the city. And Joab will turn back from the sons of Ammon and come to Jerusalem.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the children of Ammon seeing that the Syrians were fled, they fled also before Abisai, and entered into the city: and Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, seeing that the Syrians had fled, the sons of Ammon themselves also fled from the face of Abishai, and they entered into the city. And Joab returned from the sons of Ammon, and he went to Jerusalem.

New American Bible
And when the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Abishai, and reentered their city. Joab then ceased his attack on the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

New Revised Standard Version
When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites, and came to Jerusalem.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, then they fled also before Abishai and entered into the city. So Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the sons of Amun saw that Adum fled, and they fled also from before Abishi, and they entered the city, and Yuab turned from the sons of Amun and he entered Jerusalem
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when the children of Ammon saw that the Arameans were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, and they fled from before Abessa, and entered into the city: and Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Defeats Ammon and Aram
13So Joab and his troops advanced to fight the Arameans, who fled before him. 14When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Abishai, and they entered the city. So Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem. 15When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they regrouped.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 19:15
When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Joab’s brother Abishai, and they entered the city. So Joab went back to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 8:6
Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

2 Samuel 8:14
He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

1 Samuel 17:51-52
David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. / Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. And the bodies of the Philistines were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.

2 Kings 7:7
Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives.

1 Chronicles 18:6
Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

1 Chronicles 18:13
He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

Joshua 10:10
And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, pursued them along the ascent to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.

Judges 4:15
And in front of him the LORD routed with the sword Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot.

Judges 7:21-22
Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran. / And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.

Psalm 60:8
Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

Psalm 108:9
Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

Isaiah 31:8
“Then Assyria will fall, but not by the sword of man; a sword will devour them, but not one made by mortals. They will flee before the sword, and their young men will be put to forced labor.

Isaiah 37:36-37
Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.

Exodus 14:25
He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Jump to Previous
Abishai Abi'shai Ammon Ammonites Aram Aramaeans Arameans Bene-Ammon Children City Entered Fighting Fled Flee Fleeing Flight Inside Jerusalem Joab Jo'ab Likewise Presence Syrians Themselves Turneth
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Abishai Abi'shai Ammon Ammonites Aram Aramaeans Arameans Bene-Ammon Children City Entered Fighting Fled Flee Fleeing Flight Inside Jerusalem Joab Jo'ab Likewise Presence Syrians Themselves Turneth
2 Samuel 10
1. David's messengers, sent to comfort Hanun are villainously treated
6. The Ammonites, strengthened by the Syrians, overcome by Joab and Abishai
15. Shobuch, making a new supply of the Syrains at Helam, is slain by David














When the Ammonites saw
The Ammonites, descendants of Lot, were often in conflict with Israel. The Hebrew root for "saw" is "ra'ah," which implies not just physical sight but also perception and understanding. This suggests a moment of realization and fear, as they observed the defeat of their allies, the Arameans. Historically, the Ammonites were a formidable force, but their reliance on the Arameans indicates a lack of confidence in facing Israel alone.

that the Arameans had fled
The Arameans, also known as Syrians, were a significant power in the region. The Hebrew word for "fled" is "nus," which conveys a sense of panic and disorderly retreat. This flight would have been demoralizing for the Ammonites, as the Arameans were hired to bolster their defenses. The historical context shows that alliances were common, but they were often fragile, as seen here.

they too fled before Abishai
Abishai, the brother of Joab and a valiant warrior, is a key figure in David's military campaigns. The phrase "fled before" uses the same Hebrew root "nus," emphasizing the fear and chaos that gripped the Ammonites. Abishai's leadership and reputation likely contributed to their hasty retreat, showcasing the strength and strategy of David's forces.

and entered the city
The city referred to is likely Rabbah, the capital of the Ammonites. Entering the city suggests seeking refuge behind its walls, a common ancient practice when field battles were lost. Archaeological evidence from the region shows fortified cities with strong defenses, indicating that the Ammonites hoped to regroup and resist a siege.

So Joab returned from fighting the Ammonites
Joab, the commander of David's army, is a central military leader in Israel's history. The Hebrew word for "returned" is "shub," which can mean to turn back or restore. Joab's return signifies a strategic withdrawal, possibly to regroup or await further instructions from David. His leadership is marked by both aggression and prudence.

and came to Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the political and spiritual center of Israel, represents a place of safety and command. Joab's return to Jerusalem indicates a temporary cessation of hostilities, allowing for reassessment and planning. The city's significance is underscored throughout the Bible as the heart of David's kingdom, symbolizing divine favor and authority.

(14) Came to Jerusalem.--Why the victory was not at once followed up it is not said. Perhaps the army of Israel was too much exhausted by their victory; perhaps they were unprovided with the necessaries for a siege; and perhaps the season was already too far advanced. Whatever may have been the cause, the delay gave the allies opportunity to rally.

Verse 14. - So Joab returned. It seems strange to us that Joab should have made no attempt to follow up his victory. But as the Ammonites were posted close to the gate of their city, they would withdraw into it without less as soon as they learned that their allies were defeated. There was thus the certainty of a long siege before Rabbah could be taken. We gather from 2 Samuel 11:1 that it was late in the year when Joab won this victory, and it was part of the weakness of ancient warfare that a long campaign was beyond the power of either side.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When the Ammonites
וּבְנֵ֨י (ū·ḇə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

saw
רָאוּ֙ (rā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the Arameans
אֲרָ֔ם (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

had fled,
נָ֣ס (nās)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

they too fled
וַיָּנֻ֙סוּ֙ (way·yā·nu·sū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

before
מִפְּנֵ֣י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

Abishai,
אֲבִישַׁ֔י (’ă·ḇî·šay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 52: Abishai -- 'my father is Jesse', an Israelite name

and they entered
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the city.
הָעִ֑יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

So Joab
יוֹאָ֗ב (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

returned
וַיָּ֣שָׁב (way·yā·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from [fighting] against
מֵעַל֙ (mê·‘al)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Ammonites
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

and came
וַיָּבֹ֖א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to Jerusalem.
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel


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OT History: 2 Samuel 10:14 When the children of Ammon saw that (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 10:13
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