Meanwhile, Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal fortress. MeanwhileThis word indicates a continuation of events, suggesting that while other significant occurrences were unfolding, Joab was engaged in a military campaign. In the broader narrative, this connects to the aftermath of King David's sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent judgment pronounced by Nathan the prophet. The use of "meanwhile" serves to remind us that God's plans and the unfolding of history continue even amidst personal failures and divine discipline. Joab
Joab, the commander of David's army, is a complex figure in the biblical narrative. His name in Hebrew, יוֹאָב (Yo'av), means "Yahweh is father." Joab is known for his military prowess and loyalty to David, though his methods are often ruthless. His role in capturing Rabbah underscores his strategic importance in securing Israel's borders and expanding its influence. Joab's actions, while effective, often raise questions about the morality of his decisions, reflecting the tension between divine justice and human agency. fought against
The Hebrew root for "fought" is לָחַם (lacham), which conveys the idea of engaging in battle or warfare. This phrase highlights the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Ammonites, a recurring theme in the historical books of the Old Testament. The battles against surrounding nations were not only physical but also spiritual, as they often involved the defense of God's covenant people against idolatrous influences. Rabbah
Rabbah, the capital city of the Ammonites, is located in present-day Amman, Jordan. Archaeological evidence suggests it was a significant urban center during the Iron Age. The capture of Rabbah was crucial for Israel's dominance in the region. Historically, Rabbah's strategic location made it a valuable military target, and its conquest by Joab marked a turning point in Israel's territorial expansion. of the Ammonites
The Ammonites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew, and often in conflict with Israel. Their relationship with Israel was marked by hostility and warfare, as seen in various biblical accounts. The Ammonites' worship of the god Milcom or Molech, which involved detestable practices, was a constant threat to Israel's spiritual purity. The mention of the Ammonites serves as a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle between the worship of Yahweh and the pagan practices of surrounding nations. captured
The act of capturing, from the Hebrew root לָכַד (lakad), implies a decisive victory. Joab's success in capturing Rabbah demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel victory over its enemies. This victory is not just a military achievement but also a testament to God's faithfulness in securing the land He promised to His people. the royal fortress
The royal fortress, or "city of waters" as it is sometimes referred to, was a fortified part of Rabbah, likely containing the king's palace and other significant structures. Its capture signified the complete subjugation of the Ammonite capital. Spiritually, the fall of such a stronghold can be seen as a metaphor for overcoming spiritual strongholds in our lives through God's power and guidance. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoabThe commander of King David's army, known for his military prowess and loyalty to David, though sometimes acting independently. 2. RabbahThe capital city of the Ammonites, located east of the Jordan River. It was a significant city due to its strategic and economic importance. 3. The AmmonitesA people often in conflict with Israel, descendants of Lot, and known for their opposition to Israel throughout the Old Testament. 4. The Royal FortressA fortified part of Rabbah, indicating a place of strength and defense, crucial for the control of the city. 5. DavidAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, King David is the overarching leader whose army is engaged in this battle. Teaching Points The Importance of LeadershipJoab's role in capturing Rabbah highlights the importance of strong and decisive leadership in achieving victory. In our lives, we are called to lead with integrity and courage, following God's guidance. Consequences of SinThe backdrop of this verse is David's sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent fallout. It serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences, and we must seek repentance and restoration. God's Sovereignty in BattlesDespite human actions, God remains sovereign over the outcomes of battles and conflicts. We are encouraged to trust in His ultimate plan and purpose, even in challenging situations. The Role of Community in VictoryJoab's success was not in isolation but as part of a larger community effort. This teaches us the value of working together in unity to achieve common goals. Spiritual WarfareJust as Joab fought a physical battle, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:10-18 reminds us to put on the full armor of God to stand firm against spiritual challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joab's leadership in the capture of Rabbah reflect the qualities of a godly leader, and how can we apply these qualities in our own leadership roles? 2. In what ways does the account of Rabbah's capture illustrate the consequences of David's earlier decisions, and how can we learn from this in our own decision-making processes? 3. How does understanding the historical context of the Ammonites enhance our comprehension of this passage, and what lessons can we draw about dealing with opposition in our lives? 4. What does this passage teach us about the importance of community and teamwork in achieving victory, both in physical and spiritual battles? 5. How can we apply the concept of spiritual warfare, as seen in the capture of Rabbah, to our daily lives, and what practical steps can we take to equip ourselves for these battles? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Chronicles 20:1-3This passage parallels the events in 2 Samuel 12:26, providing additional details about the capture of Rabbah and the subsequent actions of David. 2 Samuel 11:1This verse sets the stage for the events in 2 Samuel 12:26, as it describes the beginning of the campaign against the Ammonites, which David initially stayed back from, leading to his sin with Bathsheba. Deuteronomy 2:19This verse provides historical context about the Ammonites, as God instructed Israel not to harass them during their journey to the Promised Land. People Ammonites, Bathsheba, David, Jedidiah, Joab, Milcom, Nathan, Saul, Solomon, Uriah, UrijahPlaces Jerusalem, RabbahTopics Ammon, Ammonites, Bene-ammon, Captured, Captureth, Citadel, Fighteth, Fighting, Fought, Joab, Jo'ab, Rabbah, Royal, Sons, Water-townDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 12:26 5254 citadel Library David and Nathan
'And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin.'--2 SAMUEL xii. 13. We ought to be very thankful that Scripture never conceals the faults of its noblest men. High among the highest of them stands the poet- king. Whoever, for nearly three thousand years, has wished to express the emotions of trust in God, longing after purity, aspiration, and rapture of devotion, has found that his words have been before him. And this man …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThou Art the Man
'And David said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die; because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.'--2 SAMUEL xii. 5-7. Nathan's apologue, so tenderly beautiful, takes the poet-king on the most susceptible side of his character. All his history shows him as a man of wonderfully sweet, chivalrous, generous, swiftly compassionate nature. And so, when he hears the story of a mean, heartless selfishness, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Letter vi. In My Last Two Letters I have Given the State of the Argument as It...
My dear friend, In my last two Letters I have given the state of the argument as it would stand between a Christian, thinking as I do, and a serious well-disposed Deist. I will now endeavour to state the argument, as between the former and the advocates for the popular belief,--such of them, I mean, as are competent to deliver a dispassionate judgment in the cause. And again, more particularly, I mean the learned and reflecting part of them, who are influenced to the retention of the prevailing …
Samuel Taylor Coleridge—Confessions of an Inquiring Spirit etc The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Cleansing.
As there are conditions requiring to be complied with in order to the obtaining of salvation, before one can be justified, e. g., conviction of sin, repentance, faith; so there are conditions for full salvation, for being "filled with the Holy Ghost." Conviction of our need is one, conviction of the existence of the blessing is another; but these have been already dealt with. "Cleansing" is another; before one can be filled with the Holy Ghost, one's heart must be "cleansed." "Giving them the Holy …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life That the Ruler Should not Set his Heart on Pleasing Men, and yet Should Give Heed to what Ought to Please Them.
Meanwhile it is also necessary for the ruler to keep wary watch, lest the lust of pleasing men assail him; lest, when he studiously penetrates the things that are within, and providently supplies the things that are without, he seek to be beloved of those that are under him more than truth; lest, while, supported by his good deeds, he seems not to belong to the world, self-love estrange him from his Maker. For he is the Redeemer's enemy who through the good works which he does covets being loved …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Unchangeableness of God
The next attribute is God's unchangeableness. I am Jehovah, I change not.' Mal 3:3. I. God is unchangeable in his nature. II. In his decree. I. Unchangeable in his nature. 1. There is no eclipse of his brightness. 2. No period put to his being. [1] No eclipse of his brightness. His essence shines with a fixed lustre. With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' James 1:17. Thou art the same.' Psa 102:27. All created things are full of vicissitudes. Princes and emperors are subject to …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity How the Poor and the Rich Should be Admonished.
(Admonition 3.) Differently to be admonished are the poor and the rich: for to the former we ought to offer the solace of comfort against tribulation, but in the latter to induce fear as against elation. For to the poor one it is said by the Lord through the prophet, Fear not, for thou shalt not be confounded (Isai. liv. 4). And not long after, soothing her, He says, O thou poor little one, tossed with tempest (Ibid. 11). And again He comforts her, saying, I have chosen thee in the furnace of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Preparatory Service; Sometimes Called the Confessional Service.
In our examination of the nature and meaning of the Lord's Supper, we have found that it is indeed a most important and holy Sacrament. It is in fact the most sacred of all the ordinances of the Church on earth. There is nothing beyond it--nothing so heavenly, on this side heaven, as this Feast. Nowhere else does the believer approach so near to heaven as when he stands or kneels, as a communicant at this altar, the Holy of Holies in the Church of Christ. What a solemn act! To approach this altar, …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Eighth Commandment
Thou shalt not steal.' Exod 20: 15. AS the holiness of God sets him against uncleanness, in the command Thou shalt not commit adultery;' so the justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, in the command, Thou shalt not steal.' The thing forbidden in this commandment, is meddling with another man's property. The civil lawyers define furtum, stealth or theft to be the laying hands unjustly on that which is another's;' the invading another's right. I. The causes of theft. [1] The internal causes …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 12:26 NIV2 Samuel 12:26 NLT2 Samuel 12:26 ESV2 Samuel 12:26 NASB2 Samuel 12:26 KJV
2 Samuel 12:26 Commentaries
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