So David sent messengers to console Hanun concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him, 3the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Have not his servants come to you to explore the land, spy it out, and overthrow it?”
David sent good men. Hanun was advised by evil men. They questioned the integrity of David by suggesting that David was up to no good.
4So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved their beards, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away.
Hanun believed the evil report and humiliated the good men David sent to console him.
5When someone came and told David about his men, he sent messengers to meet them, since the men had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.”
David responded with empathy. He gave instructions for them to take care of your needs and return when you feel comfortable enough after what has been done to you. Your jobs and family will be well cared for. I understand what you faced, and what you all are feeling; this is what David could have been feeling concerning the men whom he sent.
6When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silvera to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim,b Aram-maacah, and Zobah. 7So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, as well as the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba while the Ammonites came from their cities and marched out for battle.
Hanun started a war he could not win on his own. He paid others to assist in his quest to defeat Israel. He knew how David had won many wars, so he hired who he thought would allow him to defeat David. No matter how many armies we gather together to fight against God's anointed, we lose.
8On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. 9The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance to the city, while the kings who had come stayed by themselves in the open country.
The enemy is preparing himself for an already defeated war. Their kings hid while watching their subjects fight for them. What was the purpose of the leaders standing in hiding? Jesus never stood back and watch his disciples fight on his behalf.
David Defeats Ammon and Aram
(2 Samuel 10:9–19)
10When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. 11And he placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites.
The children positioned themselves with a strategy of God. The first thing we should do when coming against our enemies is to ask God how should we go about winning this war?
12“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. 13Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”
Joab, the leader of David's army gives wise advice. He had a strategy. When we are going against our enemy we can seek the word of God for the best strategy for us to win. God has a plan for every enemy we will face in life. No matter who, where, when, why, or how, God has a perfect plan to give his people victory every time.
14So Joab and his troops advanced to fight the Arameans, who fled before him. 15When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Joab’s brother Abishai, and they entered the city. So Joab went back to Jerusalem.
Israel who was led by brothers representing David's army used a strategy that worked. They did what they had to do and went home. When we win, we can return home.
16When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to bring more Arameans from beyond the Euphrates,c with Shophachd the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them.
The Arameans seem to have a reputation of winning. So after they lost the first round, they called for more soldiers. This was a way God could lessen their credibility as an army of victors. When we spend time-fighting against God, we are simply wasting all resources.
17When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, advanced toward the Arameans, and arrayed for battle against them. When David lined up to engage them in battle, they fought against him. 18But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army.
When David showed up he was the leader in the battle. Unlike the other kings who were in hiding. David was not just a king he was a fighter. God places people in positions based on what they are already demonstrating leadership in. Whatever you spend your time following, God can use you to be a leader in demonstrating his power to others in your everyday skills.
19When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Arameans were unwilling to help the Ammonites anymore.
Why would you pay anyone to go against an undefeated army? When Israel is seeking support from God, God was there for them. Believe the report of God who has an undefeated record for his people. This was one war that should have never happened.
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