In 2 Samuel 8, David became the leader among the region and other nations sent tributes to David. However, these vassal countries were not at rest with their relationship with David. When situations come they still went to war with Israel.
Scriptures repeated 3 times that David intended to express loyalty/sympathy to the Ammonites v.2a, 2b, and 3. However, the Ammonites did not trust the messengers and at the end wars after wars broke out.
Reflection: On one hand, David, being the leader of the regions was not easy. A very kind gesture would be interpreted as spying on another country. How many times in our lives have we misunderstood others, or being misunderstood?
On the other hand, a little mistrust in the heart of the Ammonite officials v.3 resulted in the loss of many lives during the following wars. How careful should we be in our decision in our relationship with other people!
(2) The regroup of forces from Arameans v.15-19
The Arameans were just being hired by the Ammonites v.6 to fight for them in the first war. However, when they were defeated, they consolidated and fought against Israel again for the second war! v.15-16.
(NAC) The Arameans probably feared military reprisals (revenge) from David for their role in the failed Ammonite attempt. In an effort to deal with this predictable Israelite response, the Aramean coalition “regrouped” to mount a preemptive military strike. For this second operation Hadadezer, the previously conquered king of Zobah (cf. 8:5), bolstered the regional troops with “Arameans brought from beyond the River” (v. 16) Euphrates.
Again, the Arameans fled before Israel v.18a, but this time David killed a massive number of Aramean armies and killed their general v.18b.
Who were Arameans? During the first war,
10:9 When Joab saw that the battle would be fought on two fronts, he chose some of Israel’s best men and deployed them against the Arameans.
Note, the best men were not deployed to fight against the main enemy, Ammonites, but against the Arameans who were hired to fight here. That means the Arameans were probably the greater threat because they were the stronger and mightier warriors.
Note, the best men were not deployed to fight against the main enemy, Ammonites, but against the Arameans who were hired to fight here. That means the Arameans were probably the greater threat because they were the stronger and mightier warriors.
Reflection: Be careful with whom we form an ally? Make careful consideration because the result can be very devastating.
Do we think we are capable and therefore we can stand against God?
Audrey
2024
B:
1. Ammonites
Their kind turned the kindness v.2, 3 and sympathy of David into extreme humiliation v.5, just because of the possibility of being spied. v.5
But, what was strange was Hanun son of Nahash seemed not to anticipate the reaction of David.
6 When the Ammonites realized that David was disgusted with them, they sent and hired 20,000 foot soldiers from Aram...
In other words, they did not have enough power to resist David. They needed to sent and hired soldiers from other country to help them.
The Aramean army was stronger than the Ammonites. Note how Joab chose to fight against the Aramean by himself and the chosen best men to fight against them while his brothers would fight against the Ammonites.
That means the Ammonites were not just smaller in number, but also weaker. Even with that weakness, their king, Hanun son of Nahash, chose to humiliates David's messenger with the possibility to be spied by David. He did not calculated the consequence of his action very well.
2. Arameans
At first they were defeated by David in ch 8 (Hadadezer 8:3-8), now when they were being hired they came to fight and lost again v.14. But, they did not give up and hoping if they consolidated their forces from Arameans from beyond the E. river they would win the battle. v.16. They lose again in these 3rd round of battles v.18 and they finally made peace with Israel v.19.
3. Even without their biggest help, the Ammonites did not give up and fought with Israel again.
v. 19b The Arameans were no longer willing to help the Ammonites.
11:1 In the spring of the year, at the time when kings normally conduct wars, David sent out Joab with his officers and the entire Israelite army. They defeated the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah
R:
What can I learn from these 2 countries and their kings? No one want to lose, and we want the perfect security, but are we strong enough to fight? Without good knowledge of our own limit we end up losing no matter we like it or not.
What can I learn from these 2 countries and their kings? No one want to lose, and we want the perfect security, but are we strong enough to fight? Without good knowledge of our own limit we end up losing no matter we like it or not.
All these wars started because Hanun son of Nahash did not accept the kindness and sympathy of David. He believed that they were spying on him. What a big loss if we cannot believe in others kindness.
On the other hands, I see how strong were David and Israel which was almost impossible without the help of God. He overturned more kings than Joshua?? When God is with us, who can against us?
Q:
1. because Hanun son of Nahash did not accept the kindness and sympathy of David. He believed that they were spying on him.
2. became angry because people questioned my motive
3. mistrust people seems to be safer, but end up the Ammonites faced the insecurity of war created by their own hands.
4. a. v. 9 When Joab saw that the battle would be fought on two fronts, he chose some of Israel’s best men and deployed them against the Arameans. 10 He put his brother Abishai in charge of the rest of the army and they were deployed against the Ammonites.
b. He realized the power of his enemies, but he comfort his brothers that their power were their relationship with the LORD v.12.
5. Syrians=Arameans??
At first they were defeated by David in ch 8 (Hadadezer 8:3-8), now when they were being hired they came to fight and lost again v.14. But, they did not give up and hoping if they consolidated their forces from Arameans from beyond the E. river they would win the battle. v.16. They lose again in these 3rd round of battles v.18 and they finally made peace with Israel v.19.
Comments