And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

2 SAMUEL 10:6KJV
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2 Samuel 10:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 10:6 mean?

2 Samuel 10:6 describes how the Ammonites, realizing they had deeply offended David, decided to prepare for war by hiring mercenary soldiers from several neighboring regions, including the Syrians from Bethrehob and Zoba, as well as men from Maacah and Ishtob. The verse shows the Ammonites’ response to their strained relationship with Israel, choosing to strengthen their military position by forming alliances.

In this verse, the “children of Ammon” refers to the Ammonite people, who saw that they “stank before David”—meaning they had become repugnant or odious to him, likely because of their earlier insult to his messengers. To defend themselves, they hired large numbers of soldiers from surrounding areas. This sets the stage for a larger conflict between Israel and a coalition of its neighbors, showing the seriousness of the offense and the lengths the Ammonites were willing to go to protect themselves.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 10:6

  • The word translated “stank” is בָּאַשׁ (ba’ash), which means to become foul or offensive. Here, it emphasizes just how badly the Ammonites had damaged their standing with David, not just a minor offense but something deeply insulting.
  • The verb “hired” is שָׂכַר (sakar), which means to pay for someone’s services. This highlights that the Ammonites did not rely only on their own army but actively sought outside help, showing their fear and the seriousness of the situation.
  • The names “Syrians” (אֲרָם, aram), “Bethrehob” (בֵּית רְחוֹב, beit-rechov), “Zoba” (צוֹבָה, tsovah), “Maacah” (מַעֲכָה, ma’akah), and “Ishtob” (אִישׁ טוֹב, ish-tov) refer to real regions and peoples north and northeast of Israel. This detail shows the broad coalition being formed against David.

Why 2 Samuel 10:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Ammonites’ actions were not just a personal insult but escalated into a major regional conflict, drawing in multiple nations.
  • The detail about hiring mercenaries shows the Ammonites’ lack of confidence in their own strength and their willingness to pay for outside help.
  • Understanding the alliances formed here helps explain the scale of the battles that follow in the chapter and why David’s response was so forceful.

Where else these words appear

“Bethrehob” Hebrew H1050 · used in 2 verses

  • Judges 18:28 And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein.

“Ishtob” Hebrew H382 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Samuel 10:8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.

“Zoba” Hebrew H6678 · used in 12 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
  • 2 Samuel 8:12 Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
  • 1 Chronicles 18:3 And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

“footmen” Hebrew H7273 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 12:37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
  • 1 Samuel 4:10 And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
  • 2 Kings 13:7 Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.