David: A Man after God’s Own Heart Series [23] David and Hanun David: A Man after God’s Own Heart Series [23] 2 Samuel 10:1-19 © September 10, 2017 Pastor Paul K. Kim 2

2 SAMUEL 10: A PEAK OF DAVID’S TRIUMPHS AND THE SETTING FOR DAVID’S FAILURE It was a peak of David’s successful military campaigns during the golden era of David’s kingdom (2 Sam. 8 & 10). It was a part of God’s blessings on David’s kingdom through God’s covenant with David (2 Sam. 7:11). It was a setting of David’s tragic failure (2 Sam. 11 & 12) which led to David’s growing troubles. It provides us with valuable lessons for risk-taking faith and spiritual warfare even in today’s world.

DAVID AND HANUN: HOW DISTRUST AND INSULT BROUGHT A WAR David’s Expression of Loyalty: Hanun’s distrust and insult (10:1-8)  1 After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 2 And David said, “I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent by his servants to console him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the Ammonites. 3 But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Has not David sent his servants to you to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it?” 4 So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away. 5 When it was told David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”

DAVID AND HANUN: HOW DISTRUST AND INSULT BROUGHT A WAR David’s Expression of Loyalty: Hanun’s distrust and insult (10:1-8) 6 When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob, 12,000 men. 7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men. 8 And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the gate, and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob and  the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country. (10:1-8) “Deal loyally” here and “kindness” in 2 Samuel9 are the same word, Hesed. But, unlike Mephibosheth, Hanun’s response was distrust and pride. Hanun’s insult to David’s envoys were meant for David himself; his insulting rejection of David’s loyal condolence brought a war (consider two layers of meaning—David as a sinful man and as a prototype of Christ).

DAVID AND HANUN: HOW DISTRUST AND INSULT BROUGHT A WAR Victory of David’s Army: By taking risks courageously in battles. (10:9-19) 9 When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. 10 The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites. 11 And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.”

DAVID AND HANUN: HOW DISTRUST AND INSULT BROUGHT A WAR Victory of David’s Army: By taking risks courageously in battles. (10:9-19)  13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him. 14 And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem. 15 But when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together.  16 And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond  the Euphrates. They came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer at their head. 17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan and came to Helam. The Syrians arrayed themselves against David and fought with him.

DAVID AND HANUN: HOW DISTRUST AND INSULT BROUGHT A WAR Victory of David’s Army: By taking risks courageously in battles. (10:9-19)   18 And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed of the Syrians the men of 700 chariots, and 40,000 horsemen, and wounded Shobach the commander of their army, so that he died there. 19 And when all the kings who were servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Syrians were afraid to save the Ammonites anymore. (10:9-19) All of sudden, Israel’s army was outnumbered by the two joint enemies. Joab’s army found themselves trapped in between the Ammonites and the Syrians in front and back; rather than retreating, he calls for fierce attack. Joab’s call was to take risks with their lives for God and not because their courage guaranteed success but because their valor would honor God!

6 Be strong and courageous 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them,  for it is the LORD your God who goes with you.  He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

LESSONS FROM THE STORY OF DAVID AND HANUN Lesson #1: We are to respond to Christ’s message of love not like Hanun (in distrusting rejection) but like Mephibosheth (in humble trust). 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says,  “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you . . . 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:6-7, 10 The Good News of Christ for sinners is God’s HESED love; we can either reject it with our distrustful pride or receive it with our humble faith. Now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2) but Christ the King will return soon with judgement for all those who rejected Him. This is also the way we ought to receive Christ’s words as believers today.  

LESSONS FROM THE STORY OF DAVID AND HANUN Lesson #2: We are to be vigilant in fighting the good fight of faith in everyday spiritual battle as a way to continue to rest in the Lord. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against  the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against  the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12 If we applied it today, our daily spiritual warfare is more applicable than international and political conflicts among the nations. If so, we are to be READY and VIGILANT against the Enemy’s attack/decoys. To ignore this warning will lead us to tragic failure like David (2 Sam. 11-12)!

LESSONS FROM THE STORY OF DAVID AND HANUN Lesson #3: We are to take risks courageously by faith together for Christ’s kingdom and the glory of God. 12 “Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.” 2 Samuel 10:12 The first thing is to see the urgency of this call for us as Christ’s army for the cause of Christ globally as well as locally. However, unlike physical war or revolution, our call is subversive because it is the call for spiritual awakening and valor for taking risks for Christ! Rather than seeking comfort and safety, we are to rise up as valiant warriors for turning the tide of spiritual warfare in our world!

Joab’s Speech before the Battle Note, mutual helpfulness is brotherly duty. If occasion be, thou shalt help me, and I will help thee. Christ's soldiers should thus strengthen one another's hands in their spiritual warfare. The strong must succor and help the weak. Those that through grace are conquerors over temptation must counsel, and comfort, and pray for, those that are tempted. . . When Joab saw the front of the battle was against him, both before and behind, instead of giving orders to make an honorable retreat, he animated his men to charge so much more furiously: Be of good courage and let us play the men, not for pay and preferment, for honor and fame, but for our people, and for the cities of our God, for the public safety and welfare, in which the glory of God is so much interested . . . He piously leaves the issue with God: “When we have done our part, according to the duty of our place, let the Lord do that which seemeth to him good. ” Let nothing be wanting in us, whatever the success be; let God's work be done by us, and then God's will be done concerning us, not thinking that our valor binds him to prosper us, but that still he may do as he pleases, yet hoping for his salvation in his own way and time. ― Matthew Henry

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE What will you to do to respond to Christ’s message of love today not in distrust & cynicism (Hanun) but in humility & faith (Mephibosheth)? What would it mean for you to be vigilant in fighting the good fight in your everyday spiritual battle as a way to continue to rest in the Lord? What is your first step toward taking risks courageously by faith together for Christ’s kingdom and the glory of God?