At first glance it’s a battle fought in places that we don’t know anything about. But there are some “gems” to consider here.
Looking at the broad landscape, this battle is being fought on the eastern side of the Jordan River. The Ammonites are modern day Jordan, and the Arameans are their neighbors to the east. The Arameans don’t want David to conquer Ammon, because that would put him right on their doorstep, so they are supporting Ammon who is “insulating” them from David. And, it doesn’t hurt that they are being paid a huge sum of cash.
Yesterday or the day before I was musing about David’s kindness. I see it again here. David doesn’t send an envoy solely for political purposes, he is saddened by the passing of a peer who lived in peace alongside his kingdom. Such neighbors are hard to find. From what we read, David isn’t goading them, and he isn’t interested in going to battle with them. A little wisdom and humility on the part of the Hanun would have gone a long way toward preserving the lives and fortunes of his people.
Hanun’s advisors give him bad advice, but that’s no excuse for Hanun’s actions. Advisors are always giving mixed advice, that’s why they are advisors and not the king. It is the responsibility of the king to make sound decisions with the welfare of all people in mind. Since advisors don’t bear the weight of the decision, they are often more bold in their advice than the king can afford to be. It would have been wise to be suspicious, but not to the extent of insulting the ambassadors.
David, as another act of kindness, allows the men to stay in Jericho until their beards grow back. You know, we’re reading the abbreviated version of the story but these events took months to unfold. If I had to stay in Jericho until my beard grew in, we would be there still.
It’s possible that David would have maintained his composure, and offered a measured response to this insult, but Hanun makes another stupid move that ensures a war. Once he realizes that he has gone too far and angered David greatly, he hires mercenaries instead of sending an envoy to beg forgiveness and ask for peace. David would listen to reason, and he could have been “talked down” from conflict…but not now. The hiring and massing of forces spells serious trouble for Israel. In fact, these same countries are fighting with Israel on a regular basis still today. Unbelievable.
Hanun does one thing well, he sets his men up outside the city, making it look like the battle will take place “face to face” with each side facing each other. Then once Israel is in position, the men he has hired pop up in the fields, behind them. I don’t know how they got behind them…but there they are. Now Joab and his brother are in serious trouble. They came with a small force (but a powerful one) to fight one king, and now they are fighting on two fronts.
They win the battle by dividing their already small force into two groups and attacking in both directions. When David named these guys the “might men” he wasn’t kidding. These guys were hard core, battle hardened, killing machines. By the way, God approved of them….that’s not the image of a person who has God’s approval that generally comes to mind… These warriors entrust the battle to God, and return victorious.
The story goes on, you can read it for yourself. Here’s what I’m thinking: The relationship between husband and wife is sometimes like the relationship between David and Hanun. Someone says something, the argument escalates, lines are drawn, more escalating, and BOOM, we’re at war. Understand this: nobody wins when a married couple battle. Everyone around them pays the price. I think the same is true for most relationships. I argue with my neighbor, or my boss, or someone I don’t care for in the community, or at church. AT CHURCH? Yes, sadly, that happens. But those who are quick to provoke and “go to war” aren’t thinking their position through. What about the many people who will be hurt because I cannot swallow my pride and admit that I made a mistake? How many people have to suffer so that I don’t have to appear humbled, or foolish?
And then there’s this: “Lord, keep me from misinterpreting the kindness of others. Allow me to see what happens around me through your eyes, and not the eyes of my human advisors. In fact Lord, would you be both my King and advisor on every issue. I pray that I would not be quick to battle or eager to insult others. May I always have the best interests of those who are affected by my actions in mind.”
Faithfully,
PR