Definition: When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice [men] of Israel, and put [them] in array against the Syrians:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 10:9. It’s a really important moment in the story of David and his army. Here's what it means in simple terms: What's Happening? The Battle is Turning Bad: David was leading an Israelite army against the Syrians. Initially, things were going well for David. But, as the battle progressed, he realized that his own troops were positioned on one side of the field and behind him, while the Syrians were on the other. What Did Joab Do? He Made a Choice: Joab, David’s commander, was incredibly frustrated. He wasn't happy with how things were going. He Summoned All the Best Troops: Joab then decided to gather every single man from all the Israelite armies – not just the ones fighting, but everyone – and put them into a specific formation against the Syrians. What Does "Choose of all the choice men" mean? It's a strategic move: This phrase means Joab was making a very important decision to force the battle to go in a certain direction. He wasn’t just letting things happen; he was actively directing the battle to be fought against a specific enemy. What Did He Do with the Troops? An Array: He arranged the troops into a line, like soldiers standing in formation. This was meant to make it harder for the Syrians to attack and more difficult for the Israelites to defend themselves. Why is this important? This verse shows that David was incredibly strategic. He understood the importance of controlling the battlefield and using his forces to gain an advantage. It’s a key part of how he ultimately won the battle. --- In short, Joab essentially created a trap for the Syrians by putting all of Israel's troops in a specific line, making it much harder for them to fight effectively. Do you want me to explain any of this further? Perhaps you’d like to know: What was happening before this verse? Why might David have made this decision?