2 Samuel 10 -- Vindicating God's Honor

In chapters 7-9, my commentary said David was accepting God's will, fighting God's battles, and sharing God's kindness, and now in chapter 10, defending God's honor.

David had apparently become friends with Nahash, the Ammonite king, during his years of exile.  Nahash had been loyal to David, so David sent a delegation to comfort Nahash's son, Hanun.  Hanun's advisors, however, were immature and ignorant, and suspected the delegation of spying to plan an invasion.  They greatly insulted the Jewish men by shaving off on side of their lengthy beards and cutting off their clothing at their waists!  The public shame of the men in the delegation led David to tell them to wait in Jericho until their beards grew back before returning to Jerusalem.  The action amounted to a declaration of war, and the Ammonites knew it, so they hired 33,000 soldiers in two armies to help defend themselves.

Joab, leader of David's army, along with his brother Abishai, brought the army of Israel in response.  Outside the city, they soon found themselves caught in a pincer attack, with the hired Aramean and other armies on one side of them and the Ammonites on the other.  But God was in control, and the mercenaries became frightened and fled as the Israelite army began to attack.  This also caused the Ammonite army to retreat into their capital city.  A short while later, the Aramean mercenaries consolidated their forces and returned to fight.  This time, David brought additional troops from Israel and the Arameans were soundly defeated and became a vassal state in David's growing empire.

A warning in other parts of my commentary would be appropriate here:  "Be careful after the victory that you do not fall," for David's officers were concerned about his safety in battle after a giant almost killed him in a subsequent fight.  They urged him not to go into battle again, which would set up the turning point of 2 Samuel coming in chapter 11.

Father, please help me to learn from David's mistakes and not set myself up for failure through feelings of entitlement.  Keep me close, Father, comfort me, and work Your will in my life.  I need Your direction every day.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford