2 Samuel 10:8

“And the children of Ammon came out, etc.] Either out of Rabbah their metropolis, as Josephus f165; or rather out of Medeba, as it seems from (<131907>1 Chronicles 19:7); a city that lay on the borders of their country, and was a frontier town, (see <042130>Numbers 21:30); and put the battle in array, at the entering in of the gate; of the city of Medeba; they were first within the city, but, upon the approach of Joab and his army, they came out and drew up in a line of battle at the gate of it: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, [were] by themselves in the field; at some distance from the city, the Ammonites not choosing to trust: mercenaries in it; and perhaps…”

“Came out - From their city, Rabbah Deuteronomy 3:11, Deuteronomy 3:15 or 20 miles from Medeba, where 1 Chronicles 19:7 the Syrian army was encamped. Medeba (modern Madeba) was taken from Sihon Numbers 21:30, and fell to Reuben Joshua 13:9, Joshua 13:16; in the reign of Ahaz it seems to have returned to Moab Isaiah 15:2, and in the time of the Maccabees to the Amorites (1 Macc. 9:36, 37). In church history it was a bishop’s see. In the field - i. e. in the plain below the round rocky hill on which the city stood. return to 'Top of Page'”

“10:8 The Israelites had a double battle: against the Ammonites in front of their fortifications at the entrance of the city gate and against the Aramean army in the open fields.”

“at the entering: This was at the city of Medeba, a city upon the borders of the Ammonites, and in their possession. Ch1 19:7 Rehob: Sa2 10:6; Num 13:21; Jos 19:28; Jdg 1:31 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 10:9”