Talk about a rejection to kindness, 2 Samuel Chapter 10 is the prime example. Chapter 10 stands in stark contrast to 2 Samuel 9 where David shows compassion to Mephibosheth. In this story, David initially shows kindness to the Ammonites. Unfortunately, his kindness was rejected.
DAVID IS KIND TO HANUN
Nahash died. He was King of the Ammonites. David, being kind, expressed his sympathy to Hanun, Nahash’s son. Hanun, being new to an inherited Kingship, allowed his consultants to guide him. Regretfully, these consultants totally misinterpreted David’s motives. (I’m reminded of Haman in the story of Esther.) Therefore, they convinced Hanun David’s intentions were not honorable. Hanun’s men erroneously assumed David’s men were only spying on them.
Consequently, the nervous new King Hanun decided to humiliate the servants David sent to express his sympathy. Forcefully, Hanun’s men seized David’s messengers, shaved off half their beards, and cut their garments up to their waist on one side. Hence, David’s men returned in shame.
DAVID’S MESSENGERS ARE HUMILIATED
In ancient times, shaving half a man’s beard or cutting his garments was a disgrace. Symbolically, the beard symbolized a man’s dignity. Also, a man’s garments told his life history. They were properly designed to cover the man. Meanwhile, half the garment did not cover at all. When King David learned how these men were humiliated, he showed them compassion. Respectfully, he allowed them to stay in Jericho until their beards regrew.
During this time when the men’s beards grew, David stewed over this humiliating insult to his nation. Additionally, it shamed his personal honor. When time passed the Ammonites had time to realize their senseless mistake. Moreover, they sensed David would be upset. In defense they began to prepare for his retaliation. Their first resort was to hire the Arameans as allies.
DAVID’S BATTLE PLAN
David devised a plan where Joab and Abishai would divide Israel’s army into two parts. Joab went out to meet the Arameans (from Syria) and Abishi faced the Ammonites.
JOAB’S PEP TALK
The words Joab gave to his men were, “Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what seems good to him. (2 Samuel 10:12.)
This was a shining moment for Joab. He made many mistakes, but this was not one of them. His reminder that our battles need to be left in The LORD’S hands was definitely correct. Our will should always align with God’s will. He sees what we cannot see and He knows what we do not know. His will is always the only course of action.
So it was that when the Arameans came they fled before Israel. When the Ammonites realized this, they too fled. However, Hadadezer saw this happening. He rallied more Arameans. Hadadezer had Arameans brought from beyond the Euphrates River. They went to Helam, with Shobak the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them. David led the charge against this group. The second group of Arameans were greatly defeated. The scriptures tell us that David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobak the commander of their army, and he died there.
When all the kings who were vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been routed by Israel, they made peace with the Israelites and became subject to them.
THE IRONY OF FALSE CONCLUSIONS
It is strange to realize the ironic fact that all three of these battles came from one sincere act of kindness. It was David’s kindness to Hunan which provoked the wars, not his agression, or his hate, or his ill will for them.
Have you ever encountered someone’s mistrust being so much that they took your kindness as suspicious and untrue? It isn’t godly to automatically jump to false conclusions. Also, it can be very dangerous. The conflict in this story began with one insult. It ended in a regional war.
GOD TURNS THINGS FOR GOOD
In the end of the story, these battles extended the power of King David’s reign over Israel. God turned what others meant for harm to good for the one who was simply doing God’s will and extending kindness to a fellow human being.
A SHADOW OF MESSIAH
Once again, we can see how David’s actions shadow the coming of Messiah. For instance, His first-coming for the good of all mankind would also be misinterpreted and rejected. Therefore,Yeshua Messiah’s offers of grace and redemption were not without suspicion and insult. Consequently, He endured the ultimate humiliation. Yet, just as happened here with David, Messiah won the victory of life over death in the end.
WHEN A KING SHOWS KINDNESS
Now, let’s think again about how 2 Samuel Chapters 9 and 10 contrast. In conclusion, both chapters begin with a king showing kindness. In the first case, the King’s kindness is received in humility and the receiving party is restored. He is even offered the opportunity to dine at the King’s table. In the next chapter, the King’s kindness is rejected. Ultimately, the result was war followed by defeat.
Consequently, we all have a choice. Therefore, either we receive the kindness bestowed by Yeshua Messiah, or we reject Him. What will be your choice today?
VERSE: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)
PRAYER: Father, please help us not to mistrust those who want to show us kindness. First, we must learn to lean in to the fact that You are our King and You will always fight our battles. Secondly, our part is to continue to show Your chesed love and kindness to You and our fellowman. Thank you for sending Yeshua Messiah to show us how this is done. Now, help us to follow in His footsteps as we go through our daily lives. Amen.
MUSIC TO LIFT YOUR SPIRITS: https://youtu.be/EsBpM9IcBts?si=LtiBueXTEXxbLiPN. Seek Ye First – Maranatha! Music [with lyrics]
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