The battles that should never have been fought – when friends turned to foes. 2 Samuel 10
The death of an ally, Nahash, the King of the Ammonites was to lead to Israel fighting two major battles, against various foes. David had thought to show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as Nahash had to David. Kindness usually begets kindness, but on this occasion, a well intentioned action led to major battles. The cause of it all was ‘Misinformation’ from the new king’s advisors. He may not have had enough experience to realise what he was getting into, but following the spiteful advice he received was disastrous. What we sow today we will surely reap tomorrow, one of the Laws of the Kingdom.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7
David sent a delegation to Hanun with his condolences, but the nobles advising him accused David of spying on the city and greatly humiliated the men.
5 When David was told about this, he sent messengers to meet the men, for they were greatly humiliated. The king said, ‘Stay at Jericho till your beards have grown, and then come back.’
David showed sympathy to his men, who had been mistreated through no fault of their own. Sometimes we too may be unjustly treated and it might be good to take some time to pause and recover our composure, rather than reacting at once, in anger. We may avert a much greater conflict by taking time to consider.
This situation quickly escalated into major warfare. I once heard a speaker in a meeting saying that, ‘war costs money’ (and lives). The Ammonites hired/paid for;
‘they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob‘.
Joab and his brother Abishai, the leaders of Israel’s armies were the next people David sent to Ammon, it could have been so different, but now they prepared for battle. Israel were confronted on two sides, so Joab divided the army between his brother and himself. Right before the battle began, he made an interesting comment;
12 Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.’
Sometimes we don’t have a choice, we are faced with the battle. There’s no time to consider what to do, we have to GO TO ACTION AND TRUST THE LORD FOR THE RIGHT OUTCOME. That was the position in which Joab found himself – but God gave Israel victory.
Ammon withdrew into their city and Joab returned to Jerusalem, however, Ammon raised another army and faced Israel once again.
15 After the Arameans saw that they had been routed by Israel, they regrouped.
17 When David was told of this, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan and went to Helam. The Arameans formed their battle lines to meet David and fought against him. 18 But they fled before Israel,
David himself was finally drawn into the conflict and crushed the Arameans;
19 When all the kings who were vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been routed by Israel, they made peace with the Israelites and became subject to them.
So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites any more.