2 Samuel 10 Hunun’s BAD Advice
David reacts to the death of the king of Ammon by sending condolence. The new king, Hunun, gets some BAD advice that starts a three-sided war.
I’m not sure if these battles take place before or after those recorded in 2 Samuel 8. I 2 Samuel 8 we see that Ammonites listed as one that spoils were taken from. But in our reading today, David was on good terms with Ammon. I don’t see how that would be possible, unless this encounter happened earlier on. Unless Nahash were a vassal king under David’s command. Which would make Hanun ready to lead a revolt against Israel. I wish there was an accurate timeline I could look at. I suppose that is another thing that has to wait until I reach Heaven.
We are not told what the good relationship between David and Nahash was founded on, but it was significant enough that David wanted to continue honoring it with his son. When trying to look up Nahash on line, there were a few possibilities offered. One was that, after David left his family in the care of Moab, all but one of them were killed. One brother escaped and Nahash offered him sanctuary. I could see David coming against Moab with vengeance if this were the case. Regardless of the ‘backstory’ David felt it was right to reach out to Nahash’s son with condolences after his death. The people were suspicious of David’s actions. Hunun received some dangerous advice, and chose to follow it. Let’s join in this story and see where the Spirit takes us today.
♥ ♦ ♥
David is walking in his garden when one of his advisors comes to him.
“My lord, travelers have brought word concerning the kingdom of Ammon that are of interest to the king” one of David’s advisors informs him.
“What news would this be?”
“It has been told that Nahash, king of Ammon, has died. His son, Hunun, now reigns in his place.”
David stops. He looks down and shakes his head is sadness. “Nahash was a good king. He dealt loyally with me. And there are few kings I can say that about.” David begins walking again and his advisor keeps in step with him.
After a few minutes of silence, David speaks again. “I want to send my condolence to Hunun. To deal loyally with him, for the sake of his father.”
“That is a fine gesture of friendship, my lord. What would you have me do?”
“Gather for me a group of six of my finest servants. Those who are well spoken and thought of highly by others. Have them in my throne room in an hour. I wish to be alone to mourn my friend, for now.”
After the advisor leaves, David offers a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for the friendship he had in the past with Nahash. “Lord God of Abraham, of Jacob and of Isaac, I recognize that You bring people into my life for a reason. Some are only there for a season or a specific purpose. I appreciate each of them, and what You have them bring. I will miss my friend, Nahash; as will his family. Thank You for the time I had him in my life.”
David is in his throne room when the six men arrive with the advisor who brought the news. David motions them forward when he sees them on the threshold.
“I wish to honor the passing of Nahash, king of Ammon by sending condolences to his son. ‘I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.’ (2 Samuel 10:2) You will carry my well wishes.”
The men all nod as they accept their assignment from the hand of their king. The advisor leads the men from the room and provides them with suitable gifts and animals to travel with. They depart Jerusalem within the hour.
It was a five-day journey for these six men. They all knew one another well, so conversation flowed easily among them. The work was divided evenly, and little danger arose as they went.
Word quickly spread as David’s men were in sight of the gates of Rabbath Ammon.
“My lord, men from Israel are approaching” informed the gate runner.
“Have them brought to me as soon as they reach the gates.”
As soon as the runner left to return to his post, Hunun called for his advisors. He had dismissed his father’s advisors upon his death. He would run things HIS way; not his fathers.
“I have been informed that men from Israel are on their way here. I need your counsel.”
“My advice is to welcome them and ask what business brings them here” offered one advisor. His comments brought hisses from his fellows.
“We know why they are coming! Israel has been on the march, snatching up territory after territory. They have come to spy out our land.” Several heads nod.
Just then, the runner appeared on the threshold again. Hunun looks up and sees him. He motions him forward.
“They have arrived, my lord. They say that they have come from King David of Israel to send you comfort for the passing of your father.”
“Bring them to me at once.”
“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?” (2 Samuel 10:3)
“I am certain that you are right in this. When they come before me, they will learn of their folly” Hunun says with a malicious grin.
“Do not kill them, my lord” cries the first advisor. “You will certainly bring down the wrath of Israel on our heads for such an act.”
“I don’t plan to kill them. But I will send them on their way with a clear message to leave us alone.”
David’s servants are escorted into the presence of King Hunun. They bow deeply, showing their respect. “We have come to bring…”
Before they can finish the words of comfort they hoped to deliver, Hunun roars; “Seize them!”
The men are all stunned by this turn of events. They don’t even have time to draw daggers to defend themselves before being set upon by Hunun’s guards.
“Bind their hands and feet” orders Hunun.
Once they are rendered helpless, Hunun strides forward and begins circling the men.
“You thought that you would come into my city and spy it our for your king. He will find that it will cost him dearly if he attempts such an act.”
“That was not our intention. We came with words of comfort and gifts.”
“We have seen through your ruse. For your despicable actions, I will give you something to remember me by, and to teach you that I am NOT a man to be trifled with.” Hunan turns to his guard. “Bring me a razor” he orders.
David’s servants have no idea what is coming, but they know it will not be pleasant, yet they refuse to cower before Hunun or to cry out for mercy. They wait while Hunun prepares what he wants to do.
When the razor arrives, Hunun’s evil smile reappears. “Shave off half of their beards” he orders his guard.
The guard looks back as his king in surprise. This is a most humiliating act. Hunun narrows his eyes at the guard and gives a curt nod, adding weight to his command.
The guard motions for another to come and hold each captive’s head still while he gets to work. He needn’t have worried, as the men of Israel put up no protest; beyond staring daggers at the king. Even with half shaved faces, they held their heads high before Hunun.
Hunun was angry that this didn’t break the men. He would need to do more to humble them. He steps down to where the men stand, bound fast, and snatches the razor from his guard’s hand. He steps right into the face of the first man. David’s servant refuses to lower his eyes.
Hunun reaches out and grabs the man’s robe with one hand and begins to shred it with the razor he is holding. Hunun works his way through all the layers of clothing until he reveals bare skin. He rips away all the cloth from the man’s hips down. He moves to the next man and does the same. Hunun continues this disgraceful behavior until all six men stand exposed.
Hunun steps back to appraise his work. He smiles at what he has done. “Even if these spies find some way to cover their nakedness, they will bear the proof of their disgrace for some time to come” thinks Hunun.
“Take them outside the city and release them. Keep their animals and give them each one water skin. We don’t want them to die on their way to deliver their ‘message’ to their king.”
The ropes are removed from the men’s feet and they are led through the city. People stare or turn away from the sight of them. It is a most humiliating experience, but David’s men hold their heads high. Inside, they are cringing in shame, but they will NOT give Hunun the satisfaction of seeing them broken.
Once outside the city, each man’s bonds are removed and they are given the water that will sustain them during their return journey. The guards give them a firm shove and several of them nearly fall with the force of it. In moments, they are striding with purpose away from the city that is mocking them.
The wind in not gentle and the men’s private parts are unaccustomed to being exposed to it. As soon as they are out of sight of the city, they stop. “We cannot go on this way” says one of the men. “We will be ruined by the time we reach Israel.”
“I don’t think I can go home looking like this” another comments while pointing at his face.
“The Lord will repay these vile men for their actions. In the meantime, we have to do something to protect ourselves.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Take off your robe and wrap it around your waist like this” he demonstrates. “Tie the sleeves to your belt.” The men now had covering for their most sensitive members, and down to their knees. It was not perfect, and would require readjusting through the rest of the journey.
Their faces were easier to hide, as they had coverings for their mouth and noses in case of sand storms. But, no matter how they behaved in front of Hunun, this was a most humiliating experience. They traveled at nigh all the way back to Israel. At least the nights hid their humiliation.
As David’s servants made their way back towards their home, word spread about their treatment. It reached David’s ears long before they made it back to him.
“My lord, Hunun, king of Aamon, disgraced your servants. He shaved half of their faces and stripped them of their garments from the hips downward. They were then paraded through the city and thrust into the wilderness with nothing but a water skin each.”
David’s face burned with anger at this treatment of his servants. His heart also ached for them. He would not want to be seen in such a state.
“Bring me six changes of clothing. I will go to meet them.”
David was ready withing 15 minutes. He refused to take royal guards with him, for their presence would have increased the men’s shame.
David easily found the place where the men were hiding out for the day. He knew every hiding place around, as he used them himself for several years.
“Shalom” David called out into the cave.
One of the men crept forward and fell on his face when he saw it was David.
“Please, come out to me. You need not be ashamed.”
Slowly all six came to the mouth of the cave. Their heads were all downcast and they clutched at the clothing they had tied around themselves.
“We have failed you, my lord.”
“You failed no one. Hunun is the one who has failed. He failed to recognize the gift that friendship with Israel is. He will learn what it is to be an enemy of Israel instead.”
David turned and retrieved the clothing he had brought for the men. “Here. Take these to replace what has been stolen from you. As for your beards, ‘Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.’ (2 Samuel 10:5) You may want to shave fully, so that your beards grow back evenly” David suggested.
After the men changed their clothing, David traveled with them to Jericho. He entrusted their care to the Levites serving the people there. “Care for these men’s needs and, whatever the cost, I will see that you are repaid for your service.”
Once David had returned to Jerusalem, he began to get the word out about his disgust with how his men were treated. He did not promise an imminent attack but he did make it clear that Ammon had become a stench to Israel.
Hunun was terrified to learn of David’s reaction. The single advisor who had tried for restraint, KNEW this was coming. He wanted to say to Hunun; “How could you be so STUPID! Of Course David is angry with Ammon. You would be too, if the roles were reversed.” But he kept his own counsel and watched as Hunun scrambled for help.
“The Lord fights on the side of Israel! How am I supposed to defeat them” Hunun asked his advisors.
“Enlist the help of the Syrians. They have no love for David. They would be a worthy ally against Israel.”
“Send a dispatch to Hadadezer immediately. Ask him to help us against Israel. Promise him anything you like, just get him to join with us.”
Dispatches went out right away to any of the Syrian kings who would listen. By the end of the month, Hunun had hired Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob, 12,000 men. They were ready for battle.
David heard of their troop movements and he sent Joab and his very best men to face Hunun and those that stood with him. Joab assembled what was called David’s mighty men. This included: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite, Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi, Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite, Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, Shammah of Harod, Elika of Harod, Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh of Tekoa, Abiezer of Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite, Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai of Netophah, Heleb the son of Baanah of Netophah, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the people of Benjamin, Benaiah of Pirathon, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth of Bahurim, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai of Maacah, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, Hezro of Carmel, Paarai the Arbite, Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai of Beeroth, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, Uriah the Hittite. (2 Samuel 23:8-39) These were the ‘tip of the spear’ of the men Joab assembled.
When Joab and all those whom were called to this battle arrived, they saw that there were troops both before and behind them. The Ammonites were in front, with the Syrian hired troops behind. Joab divided his forces into two groups. He set Abishai with one group and he had the other. He dispersed David’s mighty men throughout both ranks. Then he gave Abishai his orders.
“If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” (2 Samuel 10:11-12)
Joab and his men pressed into the Syrians while Abishai pressed the Ammonites. The Syrians had the larger force, but they began to flee from Israel. As soon as the Ammonites saw the Syrians fleeing, they too fled from Abishai. By the end of the day, David’s men had killed of the Syrians the men of 700 chariots, and 40,000 horsemen, and wounded Shobach the commander of their army, so that he died there.
When the battle was over, the Syrian kings who had been loyal to Hadadezer made peace with David and became his subjects. They would stand with Ammon no longer.
David felt vindicated for his men’s treatment. Ammon was broken. He had no desire to continue the war any longer. But he did not rule out dealing with them at a later time.
(to be continued)
War against the Ammonites is going to be brought back to our attention later on. These are the people Joab was fighting when David had him put Uzziah into the thick of battle and withdraw from him. Uzziah was one of David’s mighty warriors. It is interesting to me that God didn’t move on his behalf that day, as he did on other occasions for David’s mighty men.
David genuinely cared about all of his people. We saw earlier that David administered justice and equity to all his people. You didn’t mess with God’s people and walk away unscathed; from ANY ranks of the people. God care about each of us even more than David cared about his people. And, just like bad things happened to the people David cared for, bad things happen to us too. But God is even quicker to lend comfort to and build us back up again when we turn to Him.
Father God, thank You that there is NOTHING that I go through that You don’t see or care about. Every tear I cry is marked by You. Both the ones that come from attacks by the enemy to the ones that are part of lessons I have to walk through. You are ALWAYS ready to pick me up and put me in Your lap. To comfort me in times of trouble. And the only time You are ‘not there’ is when I have turned around instead of watching You with ‘laser focus’.
Help me hold tight to Your hand now Father God. NO. Hold MY hand. For I may let go, but I KNOW that You NEVER do.
