Second Samuel 10 Commentary
It should be easy to say David defeated the Ammonites. In fact, we got this information in chapter 8. Here we have details of what exactly happened. No detail is needless in scripture.
We suspect this Nahash to be the same one who was defeated by Saul at Jabesh Gilead. His son humiliates David’s envoy of peace. He later mobilizes to attack Israel with reinforcements from Aram. It becomes a regional conflict, many against one. The one is represented by Israel.
The Ammonites are defeated, together with their allies. It’s a huge victory for Israel.
You need to look hard into the scripture to find a moment when the LORD intervened to help the strong. Israel is not strong. The victory is therefore God’s victory. It is a miracle!
It is impossible not to feel the pain of disappointment when a good is not compensated. Good doers are left asking if at all doing good makes sense. For David and his men, being righteous brought them shame. Nothing has changed. For many saints, being righteous is the only offense they have committed for their shame, pain, and suffering.
What we may never appreciate in the moment of trouble is that the LORD is in charge of events. This understanding is a great help when the saint reacts with the usual ‘why’ question.
You would guess the LORD was looking for a spark to ignite the war. At times the LORD allows shame to unsettle the saint but the main objective is a greater victory for the saint. Out of this moment of shame for Israel war begins whose end result the LORD had already determined.
The battles contain details that would help the saint in his battles today. Firstly, no battle is small and inconsequential. Secondly, man needs to summon the God-given courage within him in order to face the mountains ahead. Importantly, and very loudly for many of us, the battle is the LORD’s.
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