MPV Commentary

The Ammonites Overcome.

When the people of Ammon realized they had provoked David, they prepared to defend themselves against his army by hiring a massive number of Syrian mercenaries. David sent Joab at the head of a large force to confront them, while the Ammonites made their stand in the town of Medeba, with their native troops covering the city and the mercenaries encamped nearby.

The Ammonite territories stretched from Beth-rehob, the capital of the region between Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon, through Zoba, which was under the control of King Maacah, to Ish-tob, a place known for its marauding activities. Joab divided his forces into two groups: one, led by his brother Abishai, would attack the city from the front, while he himself faced the massive army of mercenaries.

The war against Ammon was just and necessary, and Israel could expect God's blessing on their efforts. The battle began with a fierce assault on the mercenaries, who were quickly overwhelmed by Joab's forces and fled in disarray. Without their foreign allies to rely on, the Ammonites retreated behind the walls of Medeba.

In the end, Joab returned to Jerusalem, likely because the season was too far advanced for a prolonged siege.