What I Noticed Today (2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19; Psalm 20)
2 Samuel 10
War erupts with the Ammonites
In verses 1-5, David continued a peaceful relationship with the Ammonites established by Saul (1 Samuel 11:1-11). The peace ended when the king died and was replaced by his son, Hanun.
- Hanun listened to his own advisors by rejecting and humiliating David’s emissaries.
In verses 6-14, Hanun realized his actions against David’s emissaries had started a war.
- Hanun hired 33,000 Syrian (Arameans) soldiers from Beth-Rehob, Zobah, Maacah, and Tob to fight with them against the Israelites.
- David sent the army out under the command of Joab.
- Joab defeated both the Syrians and the Ammonites, but rather than pursuing them when they retreated, he let them go, preferring instead to return to Jerusalem.
In verses 15-19, the Syrians assembled additional forces from across the Euphrates River and came up against Israel a second time.
- David assembled the entire Israelite army and led the army with Joab defeating the Syrians.
- The Syrians made peace with the Israelites and became their subjects.
- After this, the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites again.
1 Chronicles 19
1 Chronicles 19 recounts the death of Nahash, king of the Ammonites, who had been friendly with David.
- David planned to be friendly with Hanun, Nahash’s son, but Hanun humiliated David’s sons and insulted him.
- When Hanun realized his mistake, he hired Aramean mercenaries to serve in his army.
- David sent Joab and the army who defeated the Ammonites and the Arameans (Syrians) whom the Ammonites had hired to help them in the battle.
Psalm 20
Psalm 20 is one of the royal psalms. As David prepared to go to war, he stopped to pray and was joined by the congregation. The congregation and David make an intercessory prayer asking that God would give them protection and victory (vv. 1-5). David proclaims his trust in the Lord and the assurance of victory based on his faith that God would protect him (vv. 6-9).
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
