Today I read 2 Samuel 10, about David’s victory over the Ammonites and their allies. Today I considered that wrongful fear can cause defeat and we should pray before deciding someone meant to harm us.
Battle Instead of Kindness
A leader wanted peace but got war and more servants instead (2 Samuel 10:1-19). David wanted to be kind to the Ammonites after king Nahash died because Nahash was kind to him. David sent servants to comfort Nahash’s son Hanun. Hanun listened to those telling him David’s servants were spies, shaving half their beards and cutting their clothes to show their bottoms. Realizing David was angry at their actions, the Ammonites hired Syrian warriors to fight with them against David. David sent Joab, Abishai and the mighty men to fight and they won, even though they were surrounded. Hadarezer sent for Syrian reinforcements so David and all of Israel went to fight. After David defeated them, kings under Hadarezer switched to be servants of and make peace with Israel.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Sometimes we have to be careful not to misread people’s intentions. David probably believed a friend of my father is my friend (Proverbs 27:10) but received war instead. Some people’s intentions are pure. We need to pray and seek God to know for sure so we do not make the same mistake.
Do you pray and listen to God before deciding whether someone’s actions are meant to be bad/evil?