I
C H R O N I C L E S
CHAP. XIX.
The
story is here repeated of David's war with the Ammonites and the Syrians their
allies, and the victories he obtained over them, which we read just as it is
here related, 2 Sam. x. Here is, I. David's civility to the king of Ammon, in
sending an embassy of condolence to him on occasion of his father's death,
ver. 1, 2. II. His great incivility to David, in the base usage he gave to his
ambassadors, ver. 3, 4. III. David's just resentment of it, and the war which
broke out thereupon, in which the Ammonites acted with policy in bringing the
Syrians to their assistance (ver. 6, 7), Joab did bravely (ver. 8-13), and
Israel was once and again victorious, ver. 14-19.
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Ill Usage of David's Servants.
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B.
C. 1037.
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1 Now it came to pass after this, that Nahash
the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his
stead. 2 And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son
of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers
to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the
land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. 3 But the
princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth
honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his
servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the
land? 4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved them,
and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them
away. 5 Then there went certain, and told David how the men
were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And
the king said, Tarry at
Jericho
until your beards be grown, and then
return.
Let us here observe, 1. That is becomes good people to be neighbourly, and
especially to be grateful. David will pay respect to Hanun because he is his
neighbour; and religion teaches us to be civil and obliging to all, to honour
all men, and to be ready to do all offices of kindness to those we live among;
nor must difference in religion be any obstruction to this. But, besides this,
David remembered the kindness which his father showed to him. Those that have
received kindness must return it as they have ability and opportunity: those
that have received it from the parents must return it to the children when
they are gone. 2. That, as saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness
proceedeth from the wicked, 1 Sam. xxiv. 13. The vile person will speak
villany, and the instruments of the churl will be evil, to destroy those
with lying words that speak right, Isa. xxxii. 6, 7. Those that are base,
and design ill themselves, are apt to be jealous and to suspect ill of others
without cause. Hanun's servant suggested that David's ambassadors came as
spies, as if so great and mighty a man as David needed to do so mean a thing
(if he had any design upon the Ammonites, he could effect it by open force,
and had no occasion for any fraudulent practices), or as if a man of such
virtue and honour would do so base a thing. Yet Hanun hearkened to the
suggestion, and, against the law of nations, treated David's ambassadors
villainously. 3. Masters ought to protect their servants, and with the
greatest tenderness to concern themselves for them if they come by any loss or
damage in their service. David did so for his ambassadors, v. 5. Christ
will do so for his ministers; and let all masters thus give unto their
servants that which is just and equal.
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The Defeat of the Ammonites.
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B.
C. 1036.
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6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they
had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a
thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syria-maachah, and out of Zobah. 7 So they
hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his
people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered
themselves together from their cities, and came to battle. 8 And
when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty
men. 9 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in
array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by
themselves in the field. 10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was
set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel,
and put them in array against the Syrians. 11 And the rest
of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves
in array against the children of Ammon. 12 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 help thee. 13 Be of good
courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the
cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight. 14 So Joab and
the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the
battle; and they fled before him. 15 And when the children of
Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his
brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.
16 And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel,
they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the
river: and Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before
them. 17 And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, and
passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array
against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians,
they fought with him. 18 But the Syrians fled before Israel; and
David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots,
and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.
19 And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse
before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither
would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.
We may see here, 1. How the hearts of sinners that are marked for ruin are
hardened to their destruction. The children of Ammon saw that they had made
themselves odious to David (v. 6), and then it would have been
their wisdom to desire conditions of peace, to humble themselves and offer any
satisfaction for the injury they had done him, the rather because they had
made themselves not only odious to David, but obnoxious to the justice of God,
who is King of nations, and will assert the injured rights and maintain
the violated laws of nations. But, instead of this, they prepared for war, and
so brought upon themselves, by David's hand, those desolations which he never
intended them. 2. How the courage of brave men is heightened and invigorated
by difficulties. When Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and
behind (v. 10), instead of meditating a retreat, he doubled his
resolution; and, though he could not double, he divided his army, and not only
spoke, but acted, like a gallant man, that had great presence of mind when he
saw himself surrounded. He engaged with his brother for mutual assistance (v.
12), excited 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, not to
any honour and advantage of their own, and then left the issue to God: Let
the Lord do that which is right in his sight. 3. How vain the greatest art
and strength are against justice and equity. The Ammonites did their utmost to
make the best of their position: they brought as good a force into the field,
and disposed it with as much policy as possible; yet, having a bad cause, and
acting in defence of wrong, it would not do; they were put to the worst. Right
will prevail and triumph at last. 4. To how little purpose it is for those to
rally again, and reinforce themselves, that have not God on their side. The
Syrians, though in no way concerned in the merits of the cause, but serving
only as mercenaries to the Ammonites, when they were beaten, thought
themselves concerned to retrieve their honour, and therefore called in the
assistance of the Syrians on the other side Euphrates; but to no purpose, for
still they fled before Israel (v. 18); they lost 7000 men, who
are said to be the men of 700 chariots, 2 Sam. x. 18. For, as now in a man of
war for sea-service they allot ten men to a gun, so then, in land-service, ten
men to a chariot. 5. those who have meddled with strife that belongs not to
them, and have found that they meddled to their own heart, do well
to learn wit at length 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 (v. 19), but made peace with David and
became his servants. Let those who have in vain stood it out against God
be thus wise for themselves, and agree with him quickly, while they are in
the way. Let them become his servants; for they cannot but see themselves
undone if they be his enemies.
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