David Defeats The Ammonites

I Chronicles 19:1–19
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This chapter includes the insulting of David’s ambassadors by the Ammonites (vv. 1-5), Israel’s victory over the Ammonites under Joab’s leadership (vv. 6-15) and Israel’s campaign against the Syrians (vv. 16-19). The King of Ammon had died, and David had sent a delegation to comfort the king’s successor. Ammon was a nation that came into being through its founding ancestor, Ben-ami who was conceived through incest between Lot and his daughter (Gen. 19:30-38).

David’s messengers were humiliated by the Ammonites. Because Hanun misread David’s intentions, he brought disaster upon himself. He thought David’s servants had come to spy out the land and overthrow him. Therefore, he took David’s servants, shaved their heads, and cut off their garments. Israelite men always wore beards. To be forcibly shaven was embarrassing enough, but these men were also left half naked.

Rather than admit his mistake and seek forgiveness, Hanun spent an enormous amount of money to cover up his error. He hired 32,000 chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, Syria, Zobah and Arammaacah to encamp before Medeba. When David heard about this, he sent Joab and all the army to battle against the Syrians. Then the Syrians fled, and the Israelite army killed 7000 of them.

Application

Because of past experiences, it is easy to be overly suspicious of others, questioning every move and second-guessingmotives. While I should be cautious and wise as I deal with others, I should not assume that every action of others is ill-intended.