PROCLAMATION
“The Ammonite
commanders said to Hanun, ‘Do you think David is honoring your father by
sending envoys to you to express sympathy? Haven’t his envoys come
to you only to explore and spy out the country and overthrow it?’ So
Hanun seized David’s envoys, shaved them, cut off their garments at the
buttocks, and sent them away.” 1 Chronicles 19:3-4 (NIV)
EXPLANATION
When Nahash, the king
of the Ammonites, died, his son Hanun succeeded him. King David
heard that Nahash had died he wanted to show kindness to his son because Nahash
had been kind to him. (1 Chronicles 19:1-2) So King David sent
a delegation to Hanun to express his sympathy regarding his father’s death. But
King Hanun listened to the commanders of his army and treated King David’s
envoy as if they were spies. He humiliated them, shaved off half of
their hair and beards, and then sent them away naked from the waist down. (1 Chronicles
19:3-4) Then he formed an allegiance with the Syrians, with the
Maakahites, and with the Tobites to prepare for war because he felt that he had
offended David. (1 Chronicles 19:6-7)
These events are also recorded in the tenth chapter of The Bible Book of
Second Samuel.
APPLICATION
Our good intentions
and our efforts to be kind to someone can be
misunderstood. Sometimes something as simple as a smile, or a kind
word, or a random act of kindness can be completely misunderstood. Even
when we clearly state our intentions, our words may not be accepted or
believed. That may be caused by the person’s own suspicions, lack of
trust, or paranoia and not by anything that we have done or said. The
misunderstanding may also be the result of some misinformation or bad advice received
from others. Their personal opinions are not a problem for us unless
they choose to take actions against us because of them. Then we need
to pray and ask The Lord God for protection, guidance, and
directions. If we are left to our own devices, we will probably make
an emotional response and commit a sin. (Proverbs 3:5-6) This should also
teach us to be very careful whom we listen to and take advice from.
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