I Chronicles 19 (NIV)

Summary:

The Battle Against the Ammonites
Verses 1-19

Over time, Nahash king of the Ammonites died and his son, Hanun, became king.  David showed Hanun kindness because Nahash had been kind to him.  David sent a delegation to express sympathy to Hanun, regarding the loss of his father.  David's men entered Ammon, and the nobles of the land told Hanun that David had sent his people to explore and spy on the land, to overthrow his kingdom.

Hanun had David's men shaved and their garments cut at the rears, then sent them off.  Someone informed David and he sent messengers to the men, instructing them to remain in Jericho until their beards grew back, so they wouldn't be humiliated in Jerusalem.  When the Ammonites realized they'd become a stench to David, they sent 1,000 talents (about 37 tons) of silver to hire 32,000 chariots and charioteers (drivers) from Aram Naharaim (Northwest Mesopotamia), Aram Maacah, and Zobah.  The king of Maacah and his troops also came and camped near Medeba, while the Ammonites gathered at their towns and moved out for battle.

David sent Joab out with the entire army.  The Ammonites drew battle formation at their city's enterance.    The kings were by themselves in the open country.  Joab noticed battle lines in front and behind him, so he selected some of the best Israelite troops and deployed them against the Arameans.  He deployed the rest, under his brother Abishai's command, against the Ammonites.  The brothers agreed to come to each other's aid if one of the sides was too strong for them.

"Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God.  The Lord will do what is good in His sight."  (Verse 13)

The Arameans fled before Joab.  The Ammonites saw this and fled into the city before Abishai.  Joab returned to Jerusalem.  The Arameans sent messengers to bring more of their people from beyond the Euphrates River, with Shophach, the commander of Hadadezer's army.  When David heard this, he gathered all of Israel and crossed the Jordan River, advancing against Shophach.  They fought and the Arameans fled.  David killed 7,000 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers, as well as their commander.  The vassals of Hadadezer made peace with David and became subject to him.  The Arameans were no longer willing to help the Ammonites.

Lori's Thoughts:

Sometimes our good deeds are rejected and we are hurt by those who are ignorant.  Had Hanun taken the time to discover the real reason David had sent his men, he might have gained a powerful ally.  Instead, he gained a powerful adversary.  God doesn't instruct us to succeed in winning people's hearts.  He instructs us to reach out to people.  This is obedience to our King.  Free will belongs to everyone and sometimes people ignore God knocking on their hearts.  God does not view it as your failure if they do not accept your kindness.  So, don't be discouraged when you are rejected by other people.  Be encouraged that you are accepted by God.

37 tons of silver.  Can you imagine?  It's amazing that silver is considered precious metal in our time.  Well, their money went to waste, because all they paid for was defeated by God's people.

Now, Joab knew that there was a possibility that they would be subdued by one of the armies - they were vast and strong.  However, he stepped out in faith and asked for God's will to be done.  This is what we must do.  Step out in faith to stand up for what we believe in.  We must ask for God's will to be done.  That might mean that we lose some battles.  But, take heart, God has victory over the war.  In the end, we will be with Him forever, because we've chosen to be His children.  So, if you're currently being beat up for following Christ, remember that God is always with you and will lift you up.

In this case, the Israelites were given the victory.  The Ammonites lost the allies they paid for.  Now, I know there is a lot of killing in the Old Testament.  In this battle, David killed 47,000 Arameans.  These are the wages of sin.  If Christ never came to redeem us, this is what life would be like - the killing off of sinners.  And, that is all of us.  But, thank God for grace, for salvation that is available to all through Christ alone.