2 Samuel 10:1-The need to evaluate everything we hear

In 2 Samuel 10, we see David’s campaigns against the Ammonites. Who were the Ammonites? They were the descendants of Lot’s son, whom his youngest daughter bore for him from her incest with him. Remember Lot and his two daughters escaped from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. His two daughters then made him drunk for two consecutive nights. On the first night in his drunken state, his eldest daughter had sexual intimacy with him and on the second night, the youngest daughter did the same. Both the daughters were each pregnant with a son by him. The eldest daughter’s son was named Moab from whom came the Moabites. And the youngest daughter’s son was Ben-Ammi, the ancestor of the Ammonites. Both the Moabites and the Ammonites had given trouble to Israel in their journey into the promised land. Even during king Saul’s reign, the Ammonites gave trouble to the people of Israel.

In the account in 2 Samuel 10:1-5, we see what caused David’s aggression against the Ammonites. His hostility toward them was triggered because his intention to Hanun, the successor to the throne of Nahash, was misinterpreted. We were not told when Nahash, the previous  king of Ammon had shown kindness to David, but in verse 2, we are told he did at one point. So, when he died, David sent men to express his condolences to his son, Hanun who had succeeded him on the throne. Instead of receiving David’s emissaries kindly, Hanun treated them horridly. He was poisoned by his advisors who suspiciously told him that David’s men came to search and spy out the land. So, he had half of the beard of each of David’s representatives shaved off. As if that was not adequate, he also had each of their garments cut from their hips down to shamefully expose them. These acts were downright humiliation of David’s goodwill and were acts of war. David wisely directed those humiliated representatives of his to stay in Jericho and to return only when their beards had grown.

This account teaches us to process all information we have received carefully. We need to be careful of all the counsel we are given. It is wise to verify every news heard or any report given. In our days of information overload, we need to discern the sources of our information. We need to differentiate between what are godly counsels and what are not. Always think and process carefully before we act. As believers, we must not fall prey to careless and thoughtless action. Remember that every action taken has an effect, good or bad. Do not act rashly but act with restrain. Always be sure to think through every course of action we intend to take. Bear in mind that many effects caused by our rash action could be irreversible. In life, actions need to be taken, but be sure that every action we take will bring glory to God. So, it is expedient to seek counsel from the Holy Spirit for wisdom and direction before action is taken.