Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight. (verse 12)
Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader.
What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 9 seemed to be a sort of interlude as Chapter 10 picks up where 8 sort of left off. In 9 David shows kindness to Mephibosheth and begins Chapter 10 with the same sort of idea, wanting to show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash. Scripture does not tell us clearly the relationship David had with Nahash. Nahash had wanted a covenant with Saul back in I Samuel 11, but Saul refused as the conditions for the covenant were dramatic. So this kindness David has does not seem to be related to that. Either way, David sought kindness and sends servants to console Nahash upon hearing of his father's death. But the princes of the Ammonites think David has ulterior motives and "shave off half of their beards, and cut their garments" of David's servants sending them back to David.
We can make good efforts, but sometimes people still think the worst.
Verse 6 comments that "the sons of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David" or unpleasant yet this was not the case, but thinking this they hired Arameans (Syrians) for a sort of protection. In 8:16 Joab was commissioned as head of the army. David sends Joab and that direction. Upon arrival, Ammonites are in battle ready mode, but Joab figures out how to defeat them and he proclaims "may the Lord do what is good in His sight." Whatever happens God is in charge. The Arameans then fled and then the Ammonites fled as well (v. 6-14).
But the fighting didn't end, instead the Arameans regrouped but David now was at the helm and many were killed, thus making peace eventually with David.
Again, I think the concern here is someone assuming the worst. And in response try to lead an army. I am not sure if Joab had to go to war, but he did and eventually David defeated those that were intent on coming against him. It seems like after all fled in verse 14 that it could have stopped, but the armies continued to take a stand and eventually were defeated. Unfortunate. The loss of life is great in these books of Samuel.
Summary: David shows kindness to Nahash but it is misinterpreted and instead a war rises up, but the Lord is on David's side and the people are defeated.
Promise: We should act with wisdom and kindness and be careful about listening to the wrong people in our lives.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for this lesson. It seems like a simple one of accepting kindness when it comes and not expecting the worse instead and being careful about who I am listening to in my life. I have been reading this book about truth and defining it and pursuing it, and this is good, but I need your help always in discerning what is right and wrong. I ask for your help and guidance.
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