2 Samuel 10:14

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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(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.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

10:6-14 They that are at war with the Son of David, not only give the provocation, but begin the war. God has forces to send against those that set his wrath at defiance, Isa 5:19, which will convince them that none ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered. Christ's soldiers should strengthen one another's hands in their spiritual warfare. Let nothing be wanting in us, whatever the success be. When we make conscience of doing our duty, we may, with satisfaction, leave the event with God, assuredly hoping for his salvation in his own way and time.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Joab returned - The great strength of Rabbah made it hopeless to take it by assault, and the Syrians were not sufficiently broken 2 Samuel 10:15 to make it safe to undertake a regular siege.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14. So Joab returned and came to Jerusalem—Probably the season was too far advanced for entering on a siege.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

That the Syrians were fled; in whose numbers and prowess they had the most confidence.

Joab returned from the children of Ammon; not judging it convenient or safe to pursue them, because the forces were not utterly ruined, but only dispersed and put to flight, and so might easily rally together.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled,.... In whom they put great confidence:

then they fled also before Abishai; without engaging at all with him, as it seems:

and entered into the city; out of which they came, either Rabbah or Medeba, for their safety:

so Joab returned from the children of Ammon; did not stay to lay siege to their city, the season of the year not being proper for it, winter drawing near; see 2 Samuel 11:1,

and came to Jerusalem; in triumph, to report to David the victory he had obtained.

Geneva Study 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.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14. then fled they also] The rout of their allies left Joab free to help Abishai, and the Ammonites retired at once within the walls of the city.

So Joab returned] He did not attempt a siege, most likely because the season was too far advanced. Cp. ch. 2 Samuel 11:1.

Pulpit Commentary

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. 2 Samuel 10:14

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Joab then advanced with his army to battle against Aram, and "they fled before him." - 2 Samuel 10:14. When the Ammonites perceived this, they also fled before Abishai, and drew back into the city (Rabbah); whereupon Joab returned to Jerusalem, probably because as we may infer from 2 Samuel 11:1, it was too late in the year for the siege and capture of Rabbah.