Pride, Humility and Humiliation

 

Synopsis     2Sam 10:1-9     12/06/2018 

David was king over Israel. One day, David received the report that Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had died. David was found of the old king because he had been kind to David. So, he sent a contingent to console Hanun, the king’s son and heir.  

But Hanun was suspicious. So, he had David’s emissaries stripped and partially shaved to humiliate them. Hanun’s act deeply insulted King David. And soon enough, Hanun realized that David was offended. So, he sent for support from allies to the north. These included a large combined force from Aram and Zobah.  

David responded to Hanun by sending the entire army of Israel against Ammon. And he sent Joab as the general in command. 

David and Hanun 

For King David, it was an act of humility and respect to honor Nahash, the deceased king of Ammon.  

But Hanun was under pressure. He was a brand-new king. And his advisors fomented a distrust of David. So, he felt pressure to do something that showed his strength. As a result, his pride drove him to offend the king of Israel. 

Pride, Humility and Humiliation 

Some things seem to never change.  

How common is it for me to not want to receive help? And how common is it for me to refuse to acknowledge when I’m weak? And how common it is for me to “assume the pose” -like I’ve got everything under control.  

“A defense mechanism” – I tell myself. I don’t want to feel vulnerable. More specifically, I don’t want to be vulnerable. But really, it’s a deception that I perpetrate against those I say I love.  

I do these things. And yet, these are the very things that offend my friends and wreck my peace.  

So, maybe it’s true. Maybe the truth really would set me free. 

“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.” Prov 29:23