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2 Samuel 10:1–5

Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me” (v. 2a).

David has just extended kindness to a son (Mephibosheth) for the sake of his father (Jonathan). Now he is presented with an opportunity to do the same thing again. He learns of the death of Nahash, king of the Ammonites, descendants of Abraham’s nephew Lot who live east of the Jordan. When the Israelites came out of Egypt, God commanded them to leave the Ammonites alone, saying He had granted their land to them just as He had granted Canaan to Abraham’s descendants (Deut. 2:19). The Israelites obeyed, but the Ammonites did not reciprocate; they often harassed Israel (Judg. 3:13; 11:4–33). Nahash also was belligerent early in his long reign, and was defeated by Saul (1 Sam. 11:1–11). However, David says Nahash ” ‘showed kindness’ ” to him at some unspecified point, perhaps when David was fleeing from Saul. The words showed kindness actually may point to a covenant relationship—perhaps Nahash submitted to David peacefully, as did Toi of Hamath (8:9–10). In any case, when he hears of Nahash’s death, David decides to show kindness to Nahash’s son and successor, Hanun, by sending a delegation to express condolences.

Unfortunately, unlike Mephibosheth, Hanun does not receive David’s kindness in humility and gratitude. He gets some bad advice from the “princes” (or nobles) of Ammon. They say, based on no evidence at all, that David could not care less about Hanun’s loss and that he has sent his men simply to spy out ” ‘the city’ ” (probably Ammon’s capital, Rabbah) preparatory to an attack. Hanun proves himself foolish enough to believe this theory. Then he adds to his folly by taking decisive action without fully considering the possible consequences. Instead of simply refusing to see David’s delegation or expelling them from the city, he disgraces them—he has his servants cut off half of the men’s beards and cut off their garments at the waist to expose their buttocks.

When David hears of this insult, his first thought is for his envoys. He sends men to meet them as they return to Israel and to tell them to remain in Jericho until their beards grow again, not because he doesn’t want them at court but because he wants to spare them the embarrassment of coming home in such a humiliating state. But he also looks at Ammon now not with kindness but with white-hot anger.

Coram Deo Living before the face of God

Like David’s delegation, God’s envoys, the prophets, typically have been treated shamefully by those to whom they have been sent. In like manner, we who are Christ’s ambassadors may suffer reproaches and insults, too. He calls us to suffer all such indignities for His sake with joy. Ask His help, that no insult might stymie your mission for Him.


For Further Study
  • Ps. 2:1–2
  • Matt. 21:35, 41; 22:7
  • Acts 4:24–30

    His True Children

    Establishing Justice

    Keep Reading The Way of Glory: Persecution and Martyrdom in the Christian Life

    From the September 2003 Issue
    Sep 2003 Issue