Read: 2 Sam. 10, 1 Chr. 19, Ps. 20
Psalm 20 must have been David’s prayer before they went into battle against Hanun. The odds were definitely stacked against them but as David says, “some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” It doesn’t matter how the odds stack up when God is on your side; He tips the scales every time!
Hanun’s father was Nahash which means “serpent”. He had hated Saul and Israel so he liked David since David was an exile and enemy of Saul. David probably should have just minded his own business and not tried to honor the enemy, but in his humaness it seemed like the right thing to do. It brought a great battle but it did bring a great defeat also. He not only won but won the allegiance and servanthood of the Syrians who promised never to help the Ammonites again.
Reaching out to people who are hurting doesn’t always pan out the way we mean it to but if we allow God to fight the battle, it will come out to God’s advantage. I can’t help feeling a little sorry for Hanun since he had just lost his father but his father’s death hadn’t made him soft. He was hard and suspicious and listened to the wrong advice. It is always best to give people the benefit of the doubt instead of listening to the lies in our minds and other people. The devil is always trying to stir up strife and discord but Jesus wants us all to be one and love each other. This is only possible when we choose to not be offended.
Lord, help us to guard our hearts from being offended and to seek the good of others over ourselves.
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