Context No. 2993 of 4322 · 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 10:6-14: in context

6When the children of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with one thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men. 7When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men. 8The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate. The Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the field. 9Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel and put them in array against the Syrians. 10The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and he put them in array against the children of Ammon. 11He said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12Be courageous, and let’s be strong for our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what seems good to him.” 13So Joab and the people who were with him came near to the battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him. 14When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.

The Ammonites, having insulted David's envoys, hire Syrian mercenaries and prepare for war. David sends Joab and the army. Joab finds himself caught, with the enemy arrayed both before and behind, so he splits his forces, taking the Syrians himself and giving the Ammonites to his brother Abishai, each pledging to help the other if hard-pressed.

Then Joab, a hard soldier, speaks a wise line: be strong, and let us be courageous for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him. He and Abishai plan carefully, encourage each other, and resolve to fight bravely for their people, and then they hand the outcome to God, may the LORD do what is good. It joins full human effort with full surrender to God's will. Do your part with courage and diligence, and then leave the result to God, trusting that whatever he decides is good.

Do I give my full effort and courage to what is mine to do, and then genuinely leave the outcome to God, trusting that what he decides is good?

Sources

2 Samuel 10:12: "Be courageous, and let's be strong for our people... and may the LORD do what seems good to him."
Psalm 20:4: "May he grant you your heart's desire, and fulfill all your counsel."
Proverbs 21:31: "The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD."