Biblical Syria

Biblical Syria Bible Lesson

Ancient Syria in the Bible

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our Ancient Syria in the Bible study taking a good look into the Biblical Syria Bible story and how it affects your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk.

Biblical Syria Bible Truth
Ancient Syria in the Bible Events

Greetings to you once again from Daily Bread ... So glad you're back! Last time we studied together, David had remembered he made a promise to Jonathan that he would always show kindness to his family. So David found and took in Jonathan's son Mephibosheth as if he were one of his own sons.

After that, Nahash, the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun, his son, took over as king. David said, "I'll show kindness to Hanun, because his father Nahash was kind to me."

Now, wait just a minute! Isn't this the same Nahash that threatened to gouge out all the right eyes of the men of Jabesh-gilead? Yep, that was in 1 Samuel, Chapter 11. And he was a friend of David's?

Biblical Syria Bible Research
Ancient Syria in the Bible Story

Well, one must say that a lot of strange relationships have occurred since we started studying the Bible together, now haven't they? Most recently, we thought it was strange that David was chummy with the king of Moab, and asked him if his mom and pop could hang out with him while he hid from Saul, remember?

Then we thought it was strange that he was pals with the Achish, the king of Gath ... Also while he was hiding from Saul. So apparently, there were other leagues made with other kings as well, during David's lifetime, specifically while hiding from Saul, that we're not privy to.

No doubt there was good reason for David to befriend Nahash, because we know that David was a righteous kinda guy, and like we said before, sometimes when people have a common enemy, that's enough to spark a friendship.

Biblical Syria Bible Teaching
Ancient Syria in the Bible Concern

So David sent some of his servants to express sympathy to Hunan and to assure him that he (David) would show him (Hunan) the same kindness that Nahash showed to him (David). But when they arrived, Hanun's advisors questioned why they were there saying to the king, "Do you really think David sent these men here to console you for your father's death? Don't you know he sent them to spy on us so he can overthrow the land?"

So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off one half of their beards, and cut off their garments to a shameful length and sent them away. When David heard what happened, he told them to stay at Jericho until their beards had grown back because they were so embarrassed of how they looked.

Biblical Syria Bible Facts
Ancient Syria in the Bible War

When the Ammonites saw how they made themselves repulsive in David's eyes, they hired 20,000 Syrian soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, 1000 men from king Maacah, and 12,000 men from Ish-tob. (Do those first two names ring a bell? Beth-rehob and Zoba? Aren't they strikingly similar to Rehob and Zobah? Remember? I'll give you a hint ... That's king Hadadezer's people.) When David heard what was happening, he sent out Joab and his army of mighty men. The Ammonite army approached the city gates and initiated the battle, and those they hired hid waiting in the field.

When Joab saw they were stationed in two different areas, he chose his best men and sent them out to battle against the Syrians, and sent the rest of the army under his brother, Abishai, to battle the Ammonites.

Biblical Syria Bible Message
Ancient Syria in the Bible Warning

(Oh, you gotta know that Joab and Abishai loved this kind of action!) Joab told Abishai, "If the Syrians are too much for me and my army to handle, then you come help me. If the Ammonites are too much for you, I'll come and help you. Let's be brave for our people and let's save the cities of our God and may His will be done."

May God's will be done ... That is definitely the way to pray. It shows complete confidence in God. They were trusting HIM.

Here is a study that talks about how we should pray for God's will to be done, rather than our own will:

Back to the front lines ... When Joab and his army began to approach the Syrians, they (the Syrians) ran away from them! When the Ammonites saw the Syrians running away, they ran away too! So ... Joab and his army returned back home.

Biblical Syria Bible Discussion
Ancient Syria in the Bible Danger

Remember, when God is on your team, you never know what to expect ... They weren't finished yet though ...

When the Syrians saw they were no match for Israel, they gathered more soldiers together. You'll find that in this chapter Hadadezer's name is spelled Hadarezer, and he sent the Syrians that were beyond the river (Jordan), under the command of his General Shobach, to go to Helam. When David heard they were there, he sent out his army to cross the river to meet them.

The Syrians prepared themselves and fought against David's army ... But ended up running away again. In the end, David had killed 700 charioteers, 40,000 horsemen, and their commander, Shobach.

Biblical Syria Bible Conclusion
Ancient Syria in the Bible Summary

When all the kings that Hadarezer hired saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with them, and became their servants ... And yes, of course that means they gave Israel "gifts." After that, the Syrians were afraid to help the Ammonites any more.

Next time, we'll find out about a war that David fought against temptation ... And lost. We've all lost that battle at one time or another in our lives. You'll learn how it affected David's future and the future of his entire family, right here at Daily Bread.

Click on the link below to see maps of Syria and the Middle East:

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