Bible Strands
2 Samuel 10:17
When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and went to Helam. Then the Arameans arrayed themselves against David and fought against him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David receives news that Aramean reinforcements have arrived at Helam under Shobach's command. He responds by mobilizing the entire Israelite force, crossing the Jordan, and advancing to meet them.
The words — וַ/יֻּגַּ֣ד (va/i.yu.Gad) and לְ/דָוִ֗ד (le./da.Vid) literally render "and it was told to David," marking the narrative trigger. וַ/יֶּאֱסֹ֤ף (va/i.ye.'e.Sof) and וַ/יַּעֲבֹ֣ר (va/i.ya.'a.Vor) mean "and he gathered" and "and he passed over," describing the rapid assembly and river crossing.
The thread — The same mobilization and crossing appear in 1 Chronicles 19:17. The sequence continues in 2 Samuel 10:18 with the Aramean flight and the death of their commander.
Why it lands — The text records a direct military response to a coordinated enemy threat. It requires the reader to note that royal defense depends on immediate, centralized action rather than passive waiting.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 19:17 When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, advanced toward the Arameans, and arrayed for battle against them. When David lined up to engage them in battle, they fought against him.