The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 10:6,
"When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob."
I laugh as I read this. It is the way it is cast in 2 Samuel. David sent envoys to the new king of the Ammonites to express his sympathy at the death of his father. The envoys were mistreated and humiliated by the Ammonites: they cut off half their beards and "cut off their garments at the buttocks and sent them away", verse 4. "When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David..." is the humorous part to me. What was their first clue???
In any event, we see David spring into action. We know David was a devout man of prayer as exemplified in the book of psalms. However, what ever prayer David may have implored the Lord with on the matter, we read, "On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men." Verse 7.
"When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob."
I laugh as I read this. It is the way it is cast in 2 Samuel. David sent envoys to the new king of the Ammonites to express his sympathy at the death of his father. The envoys were mistreated and humiliated by the Ammonites: they cut off half their beards and "cut off their garments at the buttocks and sent them away", verse 4. "When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David..." is the humorous part to me. What was their first clue???
In any event, we see David spring into action. We know David was a devout man of prayer as exemplified in the book of psalms. However, what ever prayer David may have implored the Lord with on the matter, we read, "On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men." Verse 7.
I am quite certain that, short of the Lord telling David to not retaliate, David knew that action was required. Here David becomes a model for us in our dealings that may require prayer. What I don't read of here is that David would make his challenge an issue of prayer and then do nothing while expecting the Lord to take care of things for him.
I realize I am reading a few things into the text, but I do feel confident David prayed about it. I am certain David took decisive action on it as the text tells us, and thus, for me, becomes an example of how a man of faith should face challenges in life. Pray, and then act!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment