2 Samuel 11:1

SIEGE OF RABBAH, 2 Samuel 11:1.

1. The time when kings go forth That season of the year when it was customary for kings or generals to enter upon their military campaigns. This was probably in April, at the close of the cold, rainy season. So Josephus. It is also likely that the intense heat of the summer sometimes caused a temporary cessation of military operations. But Harmer, in his Observations, on this passage shows that the Crusaders carried on war every month in the year.

All Israel The entire military force, which with its commander had returned to Jerusalem at the close of the previous campaign against Ammon. 2 Samuel 10:14.

Destroyed the children of Ammon The text of 1 Chronicles 20:1, reads, wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and this was probably the original reading here; for if Joab had destroyed the Ammonites why should he besiege their city?

This siege continued long, and its result is given, 2 Samuel 12:26-30.

Rabbah was the great city of the Ammonites, situated twenty-two miles east of the Jordan, and fourteen northeast of Heshbon. It lies near the head waters of the ancient Jabbok, (wady Zerka,) or one of its branches, at a point where the narrow valley opens out into a small plain surrounded on every side by hills. Through the valley runs a copious stream, that receives occasional affluents in its course, and gave to the lower part of ancient Rabbah the name of “City of Waters.” 2 Samuel 12:27. Its modern name is Amman, but the principal ruins, which are very extensive and magnificent, consisting of prostrate marbles and ruined churches, temples, and theatre, are not properly the relics of the ancient capital of Ammon, but of the later Graeco-Roman city Philadelphia, which grew up upon its ruins. See Map, page 234, and cut on page 503.