Wednesday – History
Reading – 1 Chronicles 19-21
Highlight Verse:
“David said, “I am going to show loyalty to Hanun because his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me.” So David sent messengers to express sympathy to Hanun about his father’s death.”
1 Chronicles 19:2a NLT
Previously, (1 Samuel 11) Saul had so badly defeated the Ammonites that no two were found together.
It is implied here that Nahash survived and, with the remnant of the Ammonites, lived as a subject to Saul and then David.
David treated them with respect despite the fact that they had previously attacked an Israelite town (when Saul defeated them).
If you read the rest of today’s reading, you know that Nahash’s son, Hanun, did not realize how powerful Israel was.
He found out.
In case you think that David over-reacted to Hanun, take this story in context.
In that time and place in history, politics were not decided by debates and votes but by military negotiation and battle.
Given Hanun’s treatment of his delegates, David would correctly expect them to invade Israel.
He acted quickly and brought the war to them.
Hanun would have had the opportunity to negotiate.
Instead, he brought in allies with the goal of destroying Israel.
While it was brutal, David acted wisely for the situation.
The end result was peace with the Arameans and Ammonites.
In fact, David’s military and diplomatic actions throughout his reign led to peace in the whole region throughout the reign of his son Solomon.
David had compassion on his neighbors.
When he needed to, he acted decisively and powerfully and wisely.
In our relationships at this point in history, actual physical battle is not appropriate, no matter how tempting it may be.
But sometimes we need to take decisive action to restore relationships.
What decisive actions do you need to take to restore your relationships?
Is there anyone who needs your compassion (like David expressed to Hanun)?
