_
Now today what we might find humorous they
found deeply offensive. The highest ornament for a Jew has always been his
beard. According to one authority “Cutting off a person’s beard is regarded by
the Arabs as an indignity quite equal to flogging and branding among ourselves.
Many would rather die than have their beard shaved off.” (The 17th
century German historian Laurent d’Arvieux in “Sitten der Beduinen-araber.”)
[Found on www.wickiedia.org]
And I found this in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. “The beard was never cut off but in {mourning}, or as a sign of {slavery.} It is customary to shave the Ottoman princes, as a mark of their subjection to the reigning emperor. The beard is a mark of authority and liberty among the Mohammedans.” So, not only was this a very offensive act that Hanun allowed his servants to perform, it was also a public statement indicating that the Ammonites were declaring authority over the Jews and, in essence, declaring the Jews in submission to them.
There is no minor insult here. This wasn’t a small offense.
1. David’s expression of comfort – v. 1, 2
2. The offense – David’s ambassadors are publically humiliated – v. 3, 4
3. David’s response – v. 8ff
Now, I want to be very clear. Usually both parties are wrong matters of insults and offenses. Please keep this in mind whenever you hear or read about insults. Both parties are wrong almost one hundred per cent of the time.
II Samuel 10:8 “And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field. As you can see here, Hanun, knowing that he has terribly offended Kind David, persuades the Syrians to help him against Israel.
(9) When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians: Joab, just for information, is the General of the Israeli army. (10) And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon. (11) And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. (12) Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good. (13) And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. (14) And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.”
In essence, the Israeli Army won the day. Both the Ammonites and the Syrians are soundly defeated by Joab and his Jewish soldiers.
Now, when you read God’s Word, don’t you ask yourself the question “Why?” Why has the Holy Spirit included this story in the Bible? Well here’s at least one reason why. It’s a true story. It did occur just as we read it in the Bible.
But there’s a larger reason for these Bible stories. They are almost always character related. God has a lesson of us as it pertains to good and evil character. So, it’s always best to look for the character lessons when you read these historical accounts.
Here are just a few lessons for us to consider here in the 21st Century.
1. People haven’t changed very much. The truth is that we’re the same sort of sinners that lived 3,000 years ago. We offend and we take offence. And we often offend seriously and we often take huge offense to the things people do to us. People in David’s day made some very foolish decisions just like you and me. So, practically speaking, the world may have changed technologically. We may be advanced scientifically and medically. But it’s the same world spiritually. The sin of Adam has been passed on from generation to generation. His sin has been imputed to us.
Go on to page three
And I found this in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. “The beard was never cut off but in {mourning}, or as a sign of {slavery.} It is customary to shave the Ottoman princes, as a mark of their subjection to the reigning emperor. The beard is a mark of authority and liberty among the Mohammedans.” So, not only was this a very offensive act that Hanun allowed his servants to perform, it was also a public statement indicating that the Ammonites were declaring authority over the Jews and, in essence, declaring the Jews in submission to them.
There is no minor insult here. This wasn’t a small offense.
1. David’s expression of comfort – v. 1, 2
2. The offense – David’s ambassadors are publically humiliated – v. 3, 4
3. David’s response – v. 8ff
Now, I want to be very clear. Usually both parties are wrong matters of insults and offenses. Please keep this in mind whenever you hear or read about insults. Both parties are wrong almost one hundred per cent of the time.
II Samuel 10:8 “And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field. As you can see here, Hanun, knowing that he has terribly offended Kind David, persuades the Syrians to help him against Israel.
(9) When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians: Joab, just for information, is the General of the Israeli army. (10) And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon. (11) And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. (12) Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good. (13) And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. (14) And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.”
In essence, the Israeli Army won the day. Both the Ammonites and the Syrians are soundly defeated by Joab and his Jewish soldiers.
Now, when you read God’s Word, don’t you ask yourself the question “Why?” Why has the Holy Spirit included this story in the Bible? Well here’s at least one reason why. It’s a true story. It did occur just as we read it in the Bible.
But there’s a larger reason for these Bible stories. They are almost always character related. God has a lesson of us as it pertains to good and evil character. So, it’s always best to look for the character lessons when you read these historical accounts.
Here are just a few lessons for us to consider here in the 21st Century.
1. People haven’t changed very much. The truth is that we’re the same sort of sinners that lived 3,000 years ago. We offend and we take offence. And we often offend seriously and we often take huge offense to the things people do to us. People in David’s day made some very foolish decisions just like you and me. So, practically speaking, the world may have changed technologically. We may be advanced scientifically and medically. But it’s the same world spiritually. The sin of Adam has been passed on from generation to generation. His sin has been imputed to us.
Go on to page three