MISUNDERSTOOD INTENTIONS

PROCLAMATION

“And David said, ‘I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me’ … But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, ‘Thinkest thou that David doth honor thy father, that he sent comforters unto thee?  Are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?’ ”  1 Chronicles 19:2-3 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  When Nahash the king of Ammon died, his son Hanun reigned in his stead.  When King David learned of the death of Nahash, he wanted to show kindness unto Hanun because his father had shown kindness to him.  David sent messengers to comfort him concerning the death of his father. (1 Chronicles 19:1-2)  However, the princes of Hanun convinced him that David was up to no good, stating that he did not want to honor his father instead he wanted to search and spy out the land so that he could overthrow him.  Believing them, Hanun took the messengers of David, shaved their heads and beards, cut off their garments such that their buttock were revealed, and then sent them away.  When David was told how his men were treated, he had them reside in Jericho until their beards grew out. (1 Chronicles 19:3-5)  Hanun saw that he had made himself repulsive to David, and he hired horsemen and chariots from Mesopotamia, Syria, and Zobah and got ready to do battle with Israel.  When David heard about this, he sent Joab and the mighty men of Israel to go up against them.  Joab decided to first go up against the Syrians who fled from them.  After fleeing, then getting reinforcements and fighting, the Syrians again fled from Israel.  David pursued them and slew seven thousand Syrian men in chariots and forty thousand footmen.  The Syrians refused to come to the aid of the Ammonites anymore. (1 Chronicles 19:-19)

APPLICATION

We should do whatever we do as if we were doing it for The Lord. (Colossians 3:23)  Our actions and our intentions will not be understood by mankind.  Even when our actions are well intended and meant for the good of others, some people will not believe that we mean good for them and no harm to them.  Some people just will not trust us.  It has been said that our enemies will not be convinced of whatever we say, and our real friends don’t have to be convinced.  The Lord God knows our thoughts and our intentions.  In fact, He is the only one in whom we should put our faith and trust.  Mankind can be for us one minute and then against us in the next.  Remember how the crowd turned on Jesus, The Christ, shouting “Hosanna” one week (Matthew 21:9, Mark 11:9, and John 12:13) and then shouting “Crucify Him” the next week. (Matthew 27:22-23, Mark 15:13, Luke 23:21, and John 19:6)  Do not put faith and trust in man. (Psalm 146:3)  Trust in The Lord. (Psalm 118:8)