It is a beautiful thing for the Lord’s people to be kind and neighborly. The teachings of Christ instruct us to be civil and obliging to all, to honor all people, and to be ready to do all offices of kindness to those whom we live among.

King David decided to pay his respects to King Hanun of the Ammonites, because he was his neighbor. Besides this, David remembered the kindness which Hanun’s father Nahash had apparently showed to him; and he intended to return the kindness to the son – as those who have received kindness ought to do, as they have ability and opportunity. But those who are wicked and do evil themselves are often inclined to suspect evil of others without cause. Hanun’s wicked princes suggested that David’s ambassadors came as spies – as if such a great and mighty man as David needed to do such a thing, or as if a man of such virtue and honor would do such a thing! If David really had any bad intentions against the Ammonites, he could have effected them by open force; he had no need to use any fraudulent practices. Yet Hanun listened to the bad suggestion, and – against the common law of nations – he treated David’s ambassadors villainously!

When David heard how his men had been treated, he graciously told them to stay at Jericho until they were in a fit condition to return to Jerusalem without being ashamed. Christ Himself takes notice of the losses that His people sustain in His service, and He supports them through them; and all masters and employers ought to follow His example, and give their servants and laborers that which is just and equal.

This chapter portrays a vivid picture of how the hearts of sinners – which are marked for ruin – are hardened to their own destruction! The Ammonites saw that they had made themselves odious to David (verse 6); and with that knowledge, it would have been wise for them to desire conditions of peace. They ought to have humbled themselves and offered any satisfaction for the injury which they had done to him – especially because they had made themselves not only odious to David, but also obnoxious to the justice of God, Who is King of nations, and will assert the injured rights and maintain the dishonored laws of nations. But instead of doing this, the Ammonites prepared for war; and so they brought upon themselves, by David’s hand, those desolations which he never intended for them.

The courage of brave men is heightened and invigorated by difficulties! When Joab, the general of David’s army, saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he doubled his resolution instead of meditating a retreat (verse 10). And although he could not double his army, he divided in order to conquer; and he not only spoke like a gallant man, but he also acted like one – for he showed great presence of mind when he saw himself surrounded. He engaged with his brother Abishai for mutual assistance (verse 12), and he encouraged himself and the rest of the officers to act vigorously in their respective posts – with an eye to God’s glory and their country’s good, and not to any honor and advantage of their own. And then he left the outcome to God: “Let the Lord do that which is right in his sight!” (verse 13)

How vain are the greatest art and strength, when they are set up against justice and equity! The Ammonites did their utmost to make the best of their position; they brought a good force into the battlefield, and they used it as best as they could. Yet since they had a bad cause, and were acting in defense of wrong, it would not help them. That which is right and just will prevail and triumph at last! How useless it is for anyone to rally again and reinforce themselves, when they do not have God on their side!

The Syrians were in no way concerned in the merits of the Ammonites’ cause; they only served as mercenaries for the Ammonites. However, when the Ammonites were beaten, the Syrians thought themselves concerned to retrieve their honor; and therefore, they called in the assistance of the Syrians on the other side of the Euphrates River – but it did not help them, for they still fled before Israel (verse 18) and lost 7,000 men. Those who have meddled with strife that does not belong to them, and have found that they meddled to their own hurt, would do well to learn wisdom and meddle no further.

The Syrians – finding that Israel was the conquering side – not only broke off their alliance with the Ammonites, and would help them no more (verse 19); but they also made peace with David and became his servants. Let those who have stood out in rebellion against the Lord Jesus – but in vain! – be thus wise for themselves! Let them agree with Him quickly, while they still are “in the way.” Let them become His servants, and seek His mercy and salvation while He still offers it freely; for they will certainly be the losers if they continue to be His enemies!

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