2 Samuel 10:18
New International Version
But they fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobak the commander of their army, and he died there.

New Living Translation
But again the Arameans fled from the Israelites. This time David’s forces killed 700 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers, including Shobach, the commander of their army.

English Standard Version
And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed of the Syrians the men of 700 chariots, and 40,000 horsemen, and wounded Shobach the commander of their army, so that he died there.

Berean Standard Bible
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.

King James Bible
And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

New King James Version
Then the Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand horsemen of the Syrians, and struck Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.

New American Standard Bible
But the Arameans fled from Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers of the Arameans and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.

NASB 1995
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed 700 charioteers of the Arameans and 40,000 horsemen and struck down Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.

NASB 1977
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed 700 charioteers of the Arameans and 40,000 horsemen and struck down Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed of the Arameans 700 charioteers and 40,000 horsemen and struck down Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.

Amplified Bible
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed 700 Aramean charioteers and 40,000 horsemen, and struck Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.

Christian Standard Bible
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach commander of their army, who died there.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed 700 of their charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach commander of their army, who died there.

American Standard Version
And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians the men of seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, so that he died there.

Contemporary English Version
The Arameans attacked, but then they ran from Israel. David killed 700 chariot drivers and 40,000 cavalry. He also killed Shobach, their commander.

English Revised Version
And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians the men of seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, that he died there.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Arameans fled from Israel, and David killed 700 chariot drivers and 40,000 horsemen. David struck Shobach dead.

Good News Translation
and the Israelites drove the Syrian army back. David and his men killed seven hundred Syrian chariot drivers and forty thousand cavalry, and they wounded Shobach, the enemy commander, who died on the battlefield.

International Standard Version
But the Arameans retreated from Israel, and David's forces killed 700 of their charioteers, 40,000 soldiers, and mortally wounded Shobach, the commander of their army. As a result, Shobach died there.

Majority Standard Bible
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.

NET Bible
The Arameans fled before Israel. David killed 700 Aramean charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach, the general in command of the army, who died there.

New Heart English Bible
but fled before Israel; and David killed of the Arameans seven hundred charioteers, and forty thousand foot soldiers, and struck Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

World English Bible
The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed seven hundred charioteers of the Syrians and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shobach the captain of their army, so that he died there.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Aram flees from the presence of Israel, and David slays seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand horsemen of Aram, and he has struck Shobach, [the] head of its host, and he dies there.

Young's Literal Translation
and Aram fleeth from the presence of Israel, and David slayeth of Aram seven hundred charioteers, and forty thousand horsemen, and Shobach head of its host he hath smitten, and he dieth there.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Aram will flee from the face of Israel; and David will kill from Aram seven hundred chariots and forty thousand horsemen, and Shobach chief of his army he struck, and he will die there.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David slew of the Syrians the men of seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen: and smote Sobach the captain of the army, who presently died.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Syrians fled before the face of Israel. And David killed, among the Syrians, the men of seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen. And he struck down Shobach, the leader of the military, who immediately died.

New American Bible
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their chariot fighters and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. He struck down Shobach, commander of the army, and he died on the field.

New Revised Standard Version
The Arameans fled before Israel; and David killed of the Arameans seven hundred chariot teams, and forty thousand horsemen, and wounded Shobach the commander of their army, so that he died there.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the Arameans fled before Israel; and David destroyed one thousand and seven hundred chariots of the Arameans and slew four thousand horsemen and a great many of the people, and he smote Shobach the general of their army, who died there.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Adum fled before Israel, and David killed of Adum one thousand seven hundred chariots and four thousand horsemen, and he struck many people and Shubak the General of the army of Hedarezar, and he died there
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the Arameans fled before Israel; and David slew of the Arameans seven hundred drivers of chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, so that he died there.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Syria fled from before Israel, and David destroyed of Syria seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, and he smote Sobac the captain of his host, and he died there.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Defeats Ammon and Aram
17When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and went to Helam. Then the Arameans arrayed themselves against David and fought against him. 18But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there. 19When all the kings who were subject to Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 19:18
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army.

2 Samuel 8:4
David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

1 Kings 11:15-16
Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. / Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom.

1 Chronicles 18:4
David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

Psalm 60:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us!

Psalm 108:10
Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

Isaiah 9:4
For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.

Isaiah 10:26
And the LORD of Hosts will brandish a whip against them, as when He struck Midian at the rock of Oreb. He will raise His staff over the sea, as He did in Egypt.

Isaiah 37:36
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!

Jeremiah 49:26
For her young men will fall in the streets, and all her warriors will be silenced in that day,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

Ezekiel 25:14
I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’

Matthew 11:21-22
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

Luke 10:13-14
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

Acts 12:23
Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.


Treasury of Scripture

And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

fled

2 Samuel 8:4
And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.

Psalm 18:38
I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

Psalm 46:11
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

horsemen

1 Chronicles 19:18
But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.

footmen

Judges 4:2,22
And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles…

Judges 5:26
She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.

Jump to Previous
Aramaean Aramaeans Arameans Army Captain Charioteers Chariots David Died Drivers Fled Flight Foot Forty Horsemen Host Hundred Israel Killed Seven Shobach Slew Smote Soldiers Struck Sword Syrians Thousand War-Carriages Wounded
Jump to Next
Aramaean Aramaeans Arameans Army Captain Charioteers Chariots David Died Drivers Fled Flight Foot Forty Horsemen Host Hundred Israel Killed Seven Shobach Slew Smote Soldiers Struck Sword Syrians Thousand War-Carriages Wounded
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














But the Arameans fled before Israel
The Arameans, also known as Syrians, were a significant power in the ancient Near East. Their flight signifies a decisive victory for Israel, showcasing God's favor upon David's leadership. This event is part of a series of military campaigns where David consolidates his kingdom, fulfilling God's promise to establish Israel as a dominant nation (2 Samuel 8:6). The Arameans' retreat highlights the fulfillment of God's covenant with Israel, where He promised to give them victory over their enemies (Deuteronomy 28:7).

and David killed seven hundred charioteers
Chariots were a formidable military asset in ancient warfare, often determining the outcome of battles. The destruction of seven hundred charioteers indicates a significant blow to the Aramean military capabilities. This victory underscores David's strategic prowess and God's providence in granting Israel success. The number seven often symbolizes completeness or divine perfection in the Bible, suggesting a total victory.

and forty thousand foot soldiers
The large number of foot soldiers killed emphasizes the scale of the battle and the magnitude of Israel's triumph. This victory further establishes David's reputation as a warrior king and consolidates his rule over Israel. The defeat of such a vast army demonstrates God's power working through David, reminiscent of other biblical victories where God intervenes on behalf of His people (Joshua 10:10).

He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there
Shobach's death signifies the complete dismantling of the Aramean military leadership, ensuring that the threat from this coalition is neutralized. The defeat of a commander often leads to the disarray and demoralization of the troops, contributing to the comprehensive nature of Israel's victory. This mirrors other instances in Scripture where the defeat of enemy leaders leads to the collapse of their forces (Judges 4:21-22). David's success in battle prefigures the ultimate victory of Christ over spiritual enemies, as David is a type of Christ, the ultimate King and Deliverer.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The King of Israel, known for his military prowess and leadership. In this passage, he leads Israel to victory against the Arameans.

2. Arameans
A group of people from the region of Aram, often in conflict with Israel. They are defeated in this battle.

3. Shobach
The commander of the Aramean army, who is killed in the battle against Israel.

4. Israel
The nation led by King David, victorious in this battle.

5. Battle
A significant military engagement where Israel defeats the Arameans, showcasing God's favor and David's leadership.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Battles
The victory over the Arameans demonstrates God's control over nations and battles. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty in their own struggles.

Leadership and Responsibility
David's role as a leader is crucial. Effective leadership involves courage, strategy, and reliance on God. Christians in leadership should emulate these qualities.

The Consequences of Opposition to God
The defeat of the Arameans serves as a reminder of the futility of opposing God's people. It encourages believers to remain steadfast in faith, knowing God defends His own.

The Importance of Obedience
David's success is tied to his obedience to God. Obedience to God's commands leads to blessings and victories in life.

Spiritual Warfare
Just as David fought physical battles, Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:10-18 encourages believers to put on the full armor of God.(18) Seven hundred chariots.--In this campaign David delivered a crushing blow upon his foes, from which they did not recover during the rest of his reign or that of his son. For the seven hundred here 1Chronicles 19:18 has seven thousand, which is almost an incredible number of chariots, and the number here is evidently the more correct; but the same place has forty thousand footmen, while here it is forty thousand horsemen. Probably both statements are meant to include both infantry and cavalry, though only one of them is especially mentioned in each case. Comp. Note on 2Samuel 10:6.

Verse 18. - David slew, etc. (see note on 2 Samuel 8:4). We have seen there that the word translated "chariots" means any vehicle or animal for riding. The numbers here are seven hundred chariots with their charioteers, and forty thousand horsemen; in 2 Samuel 8:4 we have seventeen hundred horsemen and twenty thousand footmen; finally, in 1 Chronicles 19:18 we find seven thousand chariots and charioteers, and forty thousand footmen. It is impossible to reconcile these conflicting numbers, but as David had no cavalry, the numbers in 2 Samuel 8:4 are the more probable, namely, seventeen hundred cavalry and chariots, and twenty thousand infantry. The Syriac Version gives us here very reasonable numbers, namely, "seven hundred chariots, four thousand cavalry, and much people."

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

fled
וַיָּ֣נָס (way·yā·nās)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

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

Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

and David
דָּוִ֜ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

killed
וַיַּהֲרֹ֨ג (way·ya·hă·rōḡ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

seven
שְׁבַ֤ע (šə·ḇa‘)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

hundred
מֵאוֹת֙ (mê·’ō·wṯ)
Number - feminine plural
Strong's 3967: A hundred

charioteers
רֶ֔כֶב (re·ḵeḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7393: A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstone

and forty
וְאַרְבָּעִ֥ים (wə·’ar·bā·‘îm)
Conjunctive waw | Number - common plural
Strong's 705: Forty

thousand
אֶ֖לֶף (’e·lep̄)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

foot soldiers.
פָּרָשִׁ֑ים (pā·rā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6571: A steed, a driver, cavalry

He also struck down
הִכָּ֖ה (hik·kāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

Shobach
שׁוֹבַ֧ךְ (šō·w·ḇaḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7731: Shobach -- an Aramean (Syrian) general

commander
שַׂר־ (śar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of their army,
צְבָא֛וֹ (ṣə·ḇā·’ōw)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

who died
וַיָּ֥מָת (way·yā·māṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

there.
שָֽׁם׃ (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither


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OT History: 2 Samuel 10:18 The Syrians fled before Israel (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 10:17
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