The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-08-01
Studies in Old Testament History.


their fighting population, to swell the
fighting forces against Israel.
The Syrian army and the Ammonities
marched southwestward from Rabbah,
the capital, to meet the Israelites nearer
the border of the country. A stand was
made at the fortified city of Medeba,
about forty one miles due east from Jer-
usalem. The Ammonite army occupied
position outside but near the city
gstes; the Syrians we're intrenched on
an adjacent height overlooking the
Plain of Medebah. By this disposition
of the troops it was apparently impossi-
BILE for the army of Israel to assault the
city without exposing its rear to attack
by the Syriane; and to attack the Syrians
would likewise expose the rear to dang
erous onset by the Ammonites.
When Joab found that he was thus
with his army placed between two divi-
sions Of the enemy, he formed plan Of
battle which certainly has the merit of
audacity. He divided his army, taking
for himself the tried veterans, giving to
| Abishai's charge the remainder of his
force. He proposed to assault the Syr-
| ians and the Ammonites simultaneously,
so that neither could be reinforcement
for the other. He was to himself attack
the Syrians, who we're the more formid-
able; he left his brother to attack the
| Ammonites, who were encamped before
the city.
1t was arranged that if the battle went
against either of the brothers, the other
should come Immediately to his support;
they would then attempt to fight their
way out from between their foes, and re.
treat to Israel.
Joab fired the courage of his army
with an exhortation to fight for the
cities and the God of Israel; and to God
he left the issue of the battle.
Joab made the first onset. 1t was
made with such ferceness and impetu-
osity that the line of the Syrian army
was soon broken, and the whole Syrian
army fled in dismay.
Meanwhile Abishai attacked the Am
monites; and the dismay caused by the
routing of their hireling allies caused
the Ammonites to hurriedly retreat be-
hind the Notifications of the city.
The season being near the winter, in
which military movements on large
scale were inconvenient, Joab did not
| folIou, ~ bic v;otoru huf rot,,rpod inn
mediately to Jerusalem.
A striking and memorable victory was
thus gained over the Ammonites and
their Syrian allies.
z. IsraePs Victory over the
Whole Force of Syria,-vs. 1919.
This victory for Israel was of course
humiliation for Hadarezer, the renowned
head of the great Syrian confederacy.
He now, with the greatest expedition,
gathered together the whole military
force of his empire. He was at this time
extending his eastern boundary by con-
quest in Mesopotamia beyond the river
Euphrates. He sent for these soldiers
beyond the river to return, and combined
them with his reorganized home force.
The Syrian warcry was revenge on
Israel.
David was equally swift in preparing
for the ominous assault Syria was at
this period reckoned nation far more
powerful than Israel The entire force
of Syria meant an immense army. There
was now apparent danger of the COM
plete overthrow of Israel.
David himself assumed command of
his army. When the duel between the
two rising nations was to be fought, he
we'll understood that his place was in
the field.
We have few details of this moment
GUS battle. The Syrians were routed,
and their defeat was complete. Hadar-
ezer had entrusted the campaign to his
greatest general, Shobach. This general
was killed, leaving the Syrian host with
out head. The extent of the victory
for Israel is indicated in the report that
David's soldiers slew seven hundred
characters and forty thousand horse
men. The magnitude of the victory can
scarcely be over estimated.
The result of this decisive battle was
that all the tribes of the confederacy
under Hadarezer, except Ammon, trans
ferred their allegiance to David and be-
came vassals of Israel, Early the next
season the power of the Ammonitee was
broken; Rabbah, their capital was
to rule over his tribe in Zobah.
But the aggressive power of Syria
against Israel was, for the time, ami
hilated.
The star of Israel's military glory I'M
der David was at this date in the ascen.