Has anyone ever asked you something, and the best answer you can think of is: it’s complicated. Well, that is my best answer on this one. 😂.
I had to read this several times because I kept getting confused. Finally, I took a step back and looked at the bigger picture. David…is he doing what he is supposed to be doing? Why didn’t he go to Hanum himself? What was David doing? Did David fight in these battles? Should we be fighting the Ammonites?
Duet. 2:19 When you come to the Ammonites, do not harass them or provoke them to war, for I will not give you possession of any land belonging to the Ammonites. I have given it as a possession to the descendants of Lot.”
Go way back in your genealogy and look at the Abrahams’ family tree. His nephew (Lot). ☹️
Well, it’s complicated. After all, a long time ago the Annonites (Moabites) tried to hire Balaam (on the Donkey) to curse Israel. They also made Israel slaves in Judges. Then when Saul was king, they tried to take the Transjordan tribes…
King David managed to maintain friendly relations with Nahash but encountered renewed hostilities when his son Hanun became king of Ammon. Hanun enlisted military aid from Beth Rehob, Zobah, Maakah, and Tob. David’s army under Abishai and Joab overpowered Ammon, took the capital city of Rabbah, and subjected the Ammonites to forced labor.
I will say this is a personal read for me this week. 😢. In an attempt to show kindness, Hanun took it wrong and it caused a major blow up. And to make matters worse…I am not nice like David…I have a bitter root in my heart about it! 😞
In ancient times, shaving one’s own beard was done only during deep mourning from a national catastrophe. They were sending quite the message. The Israelites were humiliated by having their beards shaved, their garments cut and their body exposed.
David’s kingdom was thriving and it appeared nothing could stop the nation from growing. Today’s read puts us at the turning point for Israel.
Psalm 20 is a wonderful prayer as David’s men prepare for battle. Notice the words “you” and “we”:
1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
6 Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
9 Lord, give victory to the king!
Answer us when we call!
Reading the Bible - 2021 
Was David right to go back and attack them? Or is this something that will hurt him in the future?
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Well, take it 2 steps back…why wasn’t he there in the beginning? Maybe it all could have been avoided. Was he sitting on a throne eating grapes? Gazing out the window of a beautiful woman? It appears he pulled a “Saul”. Saul would send the men ahead to do the hard part and then swoop in at the end. Tsk Tsk.
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