2 Samuel 10:1-3
After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 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. 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?”
The truth is that even the best of intentions can be interpreted in the wrong manner. David, now King of Israel, had fully intended to reward the loyalty of a man named Nahash, who was kind to him. He would extend that kindness to the son of Nahash, Hanun ... or, so he thought. But, when he sent an envoy to Hanun, wouldn't you know, Hanun's counselors thought David was up to know good. As a result of this misinterpretation of a good deed, hundreds of people died, loyalties were destroyed, and kingdoms were realigned. No good dead goes unpunished. David, pure in his heart (on this matter) is looked upon as a malicious leader, up to no good. That is the issue with man's heart ... they are always thinking and plotting evil. David's reaction to the way he was dishonored was brought upon by this evil. God used David to correct this and to incite David against the Ammonites. Perhaps the lesson to learn here is that sometimes God uses this suspicious nature and mistrust of man to move His people into some sort of action He wants them to do or complete. Later, after David's death and the death of his son, King Solomon, God would use this same nature of man to split the kingdom, something God wanted to do for the discipline of His children (1 Kings 11:9-12; 12:15). We ought to be conscious of these thoughts of man and realize our very best intentions might be fraught we ill-will and mis-trusting attitudes. However, the real issue is how will God use this and what is the aftermath of such issues. God is a God who can turn even the worst situations into His glory and to an advantage for us, His people. Notice what happens after the war between the Ammonites and King David. The Ammonites hired the Syrians to join them, hoping to over power David. This allegiance between them could be a menace to Israel for many years. Instead, note how God turns this to His favor and a blessing to King David and Israel:
2 Samuel 10:19
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.
God can take the mistrust of our intentions and turn them to His glory and His honor and for the safety of His people.
No comments:
Post a Comment