THE EVIL THOUGHTS OF HANUN THE AMMONITE If David’s life was according to the heart of God, the most prominent feature in his life was his love even for his adversaries. This showed strongly in his behavior toward king Saul who was only preoccupied with killing him; yet David utterly refused to stretch his hand against Saul, being the Lord’s anointed, when he was within his reach, and he could have got rid of him and his evil plots, once and for all. Now, this book tells us how Hanun the son of Nahash king of the Ammonites did not learn a lesson of what David did with Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, who was lame in his feet, doing kindness to him for the sake of his friendship with his father Jonathan (2 Samuel 9). Hanun did not perceive how David’s personality is featured by loyalty toward anyone who did him a favor. David intended to send messengers to comfort Hanun concerning his father’s death; for Nahash showed kindness to him. But the princes of Ammon said to Hanun that David’s real intention by sending the messengers was not to comfort him, but to search, overthrow. and to spy out the land.. Foolishly, Hanun behaved in a way that aroused David’s anger (1-5); And the result, was that Hanun lost the friendship of David and all the people of Israel; entered into battles that cost him and his allies much; and lost Aram as an ally. Before David act, the Ammonites started to prepare for war. That was not the first time David was provoked because of the behavior of a foolish man. He was previously provoked by Nabal who despised his messengers; but Abigail, Nabal’s wife, by her wisdom and humility, could appease David’s anger (1 Samuel 25) Having defeated Hanun the son of Nahash, it so happened that when David came to Mahanaim, that shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah, of the people of Ammon, and others, brought food to him and the people to eat (2 Samuel 17: 27- 29); which reveals how David’s fame of power has prevailed upon the whole region Instead of misunderstanding, the apostle calls us to love “that thinks no evil” (1 Corinthians 13: 5). Being in such a condition, the psalmist says: “In return of my love, they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer. Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love” (Psalm 109: 4-5). 1- David comforts Hanun for the death of his father Nahash king of the Ammonites 1 - 2 2- The evil counsel of the princes of the Ammonites 3 - 5 3- Hanun hires an army from Aram (Syria) 6 - 9 4- The defeat of Hanun’s Syrian allies 10 - 18 5- The leaders of Hadadezer submit to David 19 1- DAVID COMFORTS HANUN FOR THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER NAHASH KING OF THE AMMONITES: “Now it happened after this that Nahash the king of the people of Ammon died; and his son reigned in his place” (1) The people of Ammon reached the climax of their strength in the days of the judges; and David was the first military leader of Israel to defeat them; after which they had no more strength to cause any trouble for Israel for many years to come. Nahash, king of Ammon fought against Israel in the days of Saul (1 Samuel 11); And because he most probably presented to David services during the time he was chased by Saul (which were not recorded); David sent messengers to comfort his son Hanun for his father’s death; but unfortunately Hanun treated them in an unbefitting way. “Then David said, ‘I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me’. So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. And the servants of David came to Hanun in the land of the people of Ammon to comfort him” (2) The Holy Book did not mention the nature of the kindness previously presented by Nahash to David, but the two of them entered into an intimate friendship during the time David was fleeing from Saul, against whom Nahash had animosity. In the Assyrian inscriptions it came that a king of Palestine by the name Hanun paid tributes to the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser and that he entered into war against Sergon. 2- THE EVIL COUNSEL OF THE PRINCES OF THE AMMONITES: And the princes of the people of Ammon said to Hanun: ‘Do you think that David really honors your father because he has sent comforters to you? Did his servants not come to you to search, to overthrow, and to spy out the land” (3) When David admonished Saul on account of that he listened to his wicked counselors who unjustly provoked him against David, he said to him: “Wickedness proceeds from the wicked” (1 Samuel 24: 13). That was what Hanun king of the Ammonites fell into; having set around himself wicked counselors who presented to him their wicked counsel. It is befitting of the king not to incline his ears to the wicked counsel; but, with wisdom, he should not hasten to misunderstand the others. Therefore Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle at their buttocks, and sent them away” (4) Shaving the beard or a part of it, and cutting off the garment in the middle at the buttocks of someone against his will, was taken as a great insult, despise, and challenge for the Jews, and for the people of the East in general. This view is still present in the villages of Egypt, up to this day. Then some went and told David about the men, and he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, ‘Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return” (5) David presents to us a magnificent example of the leader who cares for the feelings of those who work for them. He sent to meet them, to raise up their spirits and to support them; because the men were greatly ashamed. If David so cared for those who worked for him, how much more would the Lord of David care for His ministers who suffer troubles. If they are ready to be crucified together with Him, He will grant them the power of resurrection, its exultation, and glory. 3- HANUN HIRES AN ARMY FROM SYRIA: “When the people of Ammon saw that they had made themselves repulsive to David, Hanun and the people of Ammon sent a thousand talent of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, from Syrian Maachah, and from Zobah” (6) That episode mentioned in this chapter concerning the alliance between the Ammonites and the Syrians, and David’s conquest upon them, conform to what came in (2 Samuel 10). Hanun’s misunderstanding of David’s intentions, brought upon him, his country, and the surrounding countries, a real catastrophe. Instead of regretting his haste and foolishness, Hanun dedicated a huge sum of silver to cover up his mistake, by entering into a failed battle. And instead of David having the intention to go to war, it was Hanun who did; and hired an army from Syria to help him against David. In this we see: 1- How the hearts of the wicked are hardened for their own perdition; how the people of Ammon, when they saw that they made themselves repulsive to David (1); instead of seeking peace, to correct what they did, and to submit themselves to compensate David for the harm they did against him, they provoked God to anger, God “the King of nations”, who defends the right of the oppressed. … They instead, prepared for war, and brought upon themselves destruction on the hands of David, which he had no intention to do. 2- How the might of the brave men increases with affliction. Finding out that the front of the adversary army was before and behind him (10); Joab, instead of thinking of retreat, he persisted more; And being unable to double to his army, he divided it; As a valiant leader, with great sense, he made an arrangement with his brother Abishai to help one another (12); And exhorted his men to be of good courage, not for the sake of their own honor and their personal benefit, but for the glory of God and the good of their country; then may the Lord do what is good in his sight (13). 3- How the greatest arts of war, directed against justice and truth, will benefit nothing. The Ammonites did their utmost best to strengthen their position; hired a mighty ally, and used them with craftiness; But not being on the right side, and defenders of vanity; they were shamefully defeated; For the truth perpetually prevails and conquers. So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, with the king of Maachah and his people who came and encamped before Medeba. Also the people of Ammon gathered together from their cities, and come to battle” (7) “And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men” (8) “Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array before the gate of the city; and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field” (9) The Ammonite army put themselves in battle array before the gate of the city, outside the walls before Medeba, on the border of the city of Arnon. Seeing the Ammonites in the front, followed by the Syrian mercenaries; Joab planed to charge against the mercenaries; and asked his brother Abishai to charge against the Ammonites. But seeing how the mercenaries were defeated and fleeing, the Ammonites lost courage , and had to flee as well. 4- THE DEFEAT OF THE SYRIAN ALLIES: “When Joab saw that the battle line was set against him before and behind, he chose some of the choice menof Israel and put them in battle array against the Syrians” (10) If in the days of Saul no one stood against the mighty Goliath except the young man David; Now in the days of David there are many mighty men of valor to confront the adversary nations. “And the rest of the people he put under Abishai his brother; and they set themselves in battle array against the people of Ammon” (11) “Then he said, ‘If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me. But if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, I will help you” (12) “Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight” (13). The secret of the success of Joab and his brother Abishai, is that, beside studying their position with seriousness and prudence, they trusted in that God will do what is good in His sight (13). On another aspect, Joab supported his brother, and asked him to: “Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God” (13). It is amazing that, while cherishing the people, referring them to themselves, as: “our people”, at the same time they refer the cities to God, as “the cities of God’. On one aspect they intended to confirm their love for the people; and on another aspect they intended to confirm that God guards and cares for His people. “So Joab and the people who were with him drew near for the battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him” (14) As Joab’s talk to his brother revealed their love for the people and their trust in God, the enemy collapsed before them; For nothing destroys the devil like the love for God and the neighbor. It is therefore, befitting of the believer, whether a priest or one of the congregation, to be adorned, or armed, with love, for then, all the hosts of darkness would never prevail upon him. By the true love, we would never fear the covetousness of the flesh, the love of the world, nor the devil and all his hosts. The love for God and the brethren are inseparable. + Whoever sets his mind upon the love of God, will despise all the seen things; he will even be a sojourner from his own body. + Whoever has a trace of hate in his heart toward anyone, through any fault whatever it is, makes himself a complete sojourner from the love of God; For the love of God would never coexist with the hate of man. + Blessed is he who learns how to love all men on an equal basis. + If you love some and hate some; or if you love some more than others; you should know that, by such attitude, you are too far from the perfect love, among which pillars are the equality of love. + Whoever loves God will certainly love his neighbor; Such a man would never holdfast to money, but, like God, he will rather give it away to the needy + Once the mind starts ahead to love God, the demon of blasphemy would start to fight him, by suggesting to him strange evil thoughts; on account of that he hates the new friend of God. Having such evil thoughts on his mind, the believer feels shame, and unworthiness to approach God in prayers. But, with the might of God, he will overcome this demon, defeat his evil ways, become stronger and more faithful in his love for Christ; “His sword shall enter his own heart, and his bow shall be broken” (Psalm 37: 15) (Father Maximus the Confessor) + How great is love! … Stronger than fire itself; … will ascend to heaven itself; and nothing will hinder it. + Paul, the citizen of heaven, a pillar of the church, an earthly angel; a heavenly being; is like iron red hot with fire; Paul was so kindled with love, to turn into love itself. (St. John Chrysostom) “When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai his brother and entered the city. So Joab went to Jerusalem” (15) Once Joab prevailed, his brother Abishai was strengthened and prevailed as well. The same way our sins may become an offense to our brethren, and the cause of their fall, Our conquest by the Lord will support them to become stronger, more attached to God, and to conquer together with us.. With every conquest you enjoy, you support your brother to conquer as well by the Lord his God. “Now when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel they sent messengers and brought the Syrians who were beyond the River, and Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s army went before them” (16) Planning to avenge themselves against Israel, the Syrians sent messengers to their kinsmen beyond the River to come to their help. Perceiving that new danger, David gathered his armies together, and set up a battle array against them; Then the haughtiness of the Syrians collapsed , and they became servants of David. “When it was told David, he gathered all Israel, crossed over the Jordan and came upon them, and set up in battle array against them. So when David had set up in battle array against the Syrians, they fought with him” (17) David may seem in this chapter as sharp-tempered, yet he tried his best to live in peace; Here we notice: 1- The godly men always try to live in peace with their neighbors; David intended to give kindness to Hanun, being a neighbor, for he remembered the kindness of his late father toward him. Those who get kindness have to pay it back according to their ability, whenever they get a chance; And those who get kindness from fathers, have to pay it back to their children after they depart. 2- As the proverb of the old says:: “Wickedness proceeds from the wicked” (1 Samuel 24: 13); and “For the foolish person will speak foolishness, and his heart will work iniquity; to practice ungodliness, to utter error against the Lord… Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; he devises wicked plans, to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice” (Isaiah 32: 6-7); Those lowly people invent evil on their own; tend toward jealousy and unwarranted misunderstanding of others. Hanun’s servants consulted him that David’s messengers came to spy the land; as though a great man like David needed to do such a lowly act; For if he had any bad intention against the Moabites, he would have done it by force, and not through ulterior ways. Yet Hanun listened to his evil servants; and contrary to the international laws, he treated David’s messengers in a shameful way. Although the Ammonites were perpetual enemies of Israel, yet David did not intend to make war against them; for he was on the defense all his life; the way a man of God should always be. We should put on the perfect weapon of God; not to proceed to war, but to stand alert and ready all the time. 3- The rulers should protect their servants, should care for them in case they are harmed while on duty. David did so for his messengers; And so does the Lord Christ for His ministers. “Then the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers of the Syrians, and killed Shophach the commander of the army” (18) Those, who God is not on their side, would attempt to gather their forces together anew.. The Syrians did not care, as they were serving the Ammonites as mercenaries; They however, to save their own face and their lost honor, they sought the need from their kinsmen beyond the River Euphrates; but in vain, for they also fled before Israel (18); and lost 7000 charioteers (1 Samuel 10: 18).. “And when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his servants. So the Syrians were not willing to help the people of Ammon anymore” (19) When the Syrians saw that they were defeated before Israel, they broke their alliance with the Ammonites, and were not willing to help them anymore (19). They made peace with David and became his servants. I wish those who stood in vain against God, reconsider their position, “while they are on the way with him” (Matthew 5: 25), to become His servants, instead of His enemies. -------------------------------- AN INSPIRATION FROM 1 CHRONICLES 19 GRANT ME, O LORD, TO FLEE FROM THE COUNSEL OF THE WICKED + “Wickedness proceed from the wicked” Protect me from them and let me not incline my ears to them; But to incline my ear to Your commandment, the life-giver. + Because of the counsel of the wicked, Hanun the son of Nahash lost the friendship of David; Instead of making an alliance with David; and have the blessing of the Lord; The wickedness of the wicked dwelt upon him, for a huge price; He lost his wealth, chariots, and honor. + Hanun and his men defamed David’s messengers, who hid in shame; But David with his compassionate and humble heart cared for them; By his love and care, he lifted up their spirit; And did not allow anyone to see them in their disgrace; Lest they might be ridiculed. + O Lord of David. with Your love and Your compassion; Look down on Your servants and people; If you allow the hand of the wicked to stretch against them; Do not allow this hand to settle down on them; Instead of the ridicule, pour Your splendor on them; And instead of the reproach, proclaim Your glory in them. + Joab and his brother Abishai were strengthened to work to the Lord’s account; Trusting in God, their life was filled with strength, courage, and hope; And victory became their portion. + Their amazing love for their people was mixed with the care of the loving God; Cherishing their people, they called them “Our people”; They bore the people on their hands before God; They perceived God’s guarding His people and their cities.
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