This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&h) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
HERE
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the
books of Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for
COMMENTARY ON GENESIS to the address above.
2Samuel
1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
When Nahash, king of Ammon, died David remembered some kindness he had done. What this king could have done for David we don't know. He was the king that surrounded Jabesh Gilead and threatened to put out all the eyes of the men there, but Saul went and defeated him.
3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
The chief counselors of the Ammonites told Hanun that David was just using this occasion to spy on the land.
6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.
7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
9 When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
Once Hanun realized his error, he was afraid. He paid money to get the Syrians to send 33,000 men to help him fight against David.
13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
When Joab and the army began to fight, the Syrians were defeated and ran. The Ammonites saw that, and they began to run from Abishai's forces.
15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.
19 And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
But the Syrians didn't take the defeat easily. They rallied their forces and gathered more men.
Please continue with us in daily Bible study.
CHAPTER 10
Perhaps he had let David hide in his country while running from Saul. Anyway, David sent some men to comfort Hanun, Nahash's son.
Do people ever suspect others without due reason? We shall see how unwarranted suspcion is an awful sin and causes unjust categorizing of people.
David found out about it, and sent Joab and a number of his forces to deal with the situation. When Joab arrived he was facing two forces which were purposefully divided against him. Joab took the majority of the forces to face the greatest opposition (the Syrians). He sent his brother Abishai as captain of the other men against the lesser forces (the Ammonites).
Take note of Joab's statement in verse 12. Paraphrased, it might say, "Let's fight out BEST! And let God give us what He thinks is best!"
Joab placed the outcome of the battle squarely on the shoulders of God, Israel's Protector and Providor. But he determined that he and the men should do their BEST!
When we are faced with opposition in doing God's work, let us remember to leave the OUTCOME to God: we just need to do our BEST!
Having defeated both forces, Joab returned to Jerusalem.
When David found out about it, he took personal command of his army and went to battle against them. When they met the Syrians in Helam, there was a terrific battle. But David's army defeated them soundly. They killed the captain of the Syrian army, 700 charioteers, and 40,000 foot-soldiers.
The Syrians made a treaty with David, and became "tributaries" -- or servants who paid taxes every year. And the Syrians agreed never to help the Ammonites in battle against Israel again.
God has instructed us, as Christians, to treat people with kindness and minister to all mankind. When people spurn that kindness and treat God's people with disdain, He will bring retribution.
We need to learn a lesson from Joab -- Let US do our BEST; and let GOD do the REST!
And, by the way, it is better to be naive than to be suspicious.