Differences & Two Kings

Synopsis     1Chron 18:12-19:5     1/13/2020 

King David’s chief general was Joab. And the second in command was Joab’s brother, Abishai. Both men were David’s cousins who had been raised in the same hometown of Bethlehem.  

Under David’s kingship, Israel’s army defeated Edom. Afterward, Joab and Abishai subjugated the Edomites. 

Sometime later, a nearby king named Nahash, died. He was the king of the Ammonites. And after his burial, Nahash’s son Hanum became king.  

King David sent envoys to express condolences to Hanum. However, Hanum suspected that the Israelite envoys were spying out the land in preparation for an invasion. So, he humiliated the men before sending them back to King David. 

Hanum’s disrespect incensed King David.  

Difference & Two Kings 

Hanum was suspicious. In his defense, he was a young man and a new king. So, his decision to accept bad advice isn’t surprising.  

But, David was already established as a ruler. Renown as a warrior, he was confident enough in his rule to show grace to a nearby king. Still, Hanum misinterpreted and misunderstood David’s gracious act.

Because he followed God, David didn’t need a pretext to fight against Ammon. If God had directed, David would have simply done it.  

Alert or Suspicious 

There is a difference between my duty to remain vigilant and my predisposition to distrust.  

I have an obligation to those people God has placed under my charge to remain vigilant against real threats.  

But I also operate under a mandate to love. And suspicion is poison to love.  

The apostle wrote: “Love…..believes all things”. He wasn’t naive – just committed.  

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated,  it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1Cor 13:4-7