But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.
Here is, 1. A new attempt of the Syrians to recover their lost honour and to check the progress of David's victorious arms. The forces that were lately dispersed rallied again, and gathered themselves together, Sa2 10:15. Even the baffled cause will make head as long as there is any life in it; the enemies of the Son of David do so, Matt, Sa2 22:34; Rev 19:19.
Commenting on 2 Samuel 10:15-19
And the Syrians fled before Israel,.... After an obstinate and bloody fight between them: and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians; the word "men" is rightly supplied, for chariots could not be said to be slain, but the men in them; in Ch1 19:17, they are said to be seven thousand, here seven hundred; which may be reconciled by observing...
And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew [the men of] seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there. (g) Who were the chief and most principal: for in all he destroyed 7000, as in , or the soldiers who were in 700 chariots.