(10) The battle was set against him before and behind.--Literally, the front of the battle had become towards him, front and rear. The order of words is different in Samuel, and a preposition added ("on front and on rear"). The Ammonites lay in front of the city, their Aramaean allies at some distance away, in the plain. For Joab to attack either with his entire army would have been to expose his rear to the assault of the other. He therefore divided his forces.
The choice of Israel.--Literally, the chosen or young warriors (singular collective) in Israel (i.e., in the Israelitish army). These Joab himself led against the Aramaeans, as the most dangerous enemy, while he sent a detachment, under his brother Abishai, to cope with the Ammonites.
Verse 10. - The meaning in brief of this Terse is that, as Joab found there were practically two enemies, and two armies to face, he avoided the mistake of being shut up between them more than necessary, and divided his own hosts. He took the flower of all, under his own command, to face the Syrians in the field, who were the most formidable of the enemy. The rest he put under his brother Abishai, to face the Ammonites at the gate, i.e. of the city Medeba. The plan succeeded, for if Abishai had only done as much as hold back the Ammonites awhile, so soon as they saw the Syrians break and flee they knew that Joab and his army would be free to "help" Abishai.
19:1-19 David's wars. - The history is here repeated which we read 2Sa 10. The only safety of sinners consists in submitting to the Lord, seeking peace with him, and becoming his servants. Let us assist each other in a good cause; but let us fear lest, while made instruments of good to others, we should come short of salvation, through unbelief and sin.
The choice of Israel.--Literally, the chosen or young warriors (singular collective) in Israel (i.e., in the Israelitish army). These Joab himself led against the Aramaeans, as the most dangerous enemy, while he sent a detachment, under his brother Abishai, to cope with the Ammonites.
Put them in array.--Rather, set the battle in array, or drew up against . . . (1 Chronicles 19:17; 1 Chronicles 12:33). The same Hebrew phrase recurs in 1 Chronicles 19:11.