10:1-2 David's motivation as king is to restore the children of Israel. At any opportunity, his intention is to restore relations between other regions as well. Though he is as adamant about the destruction of evil as evil is about being evil, he is willing to give new kings a chance. This is what he does when king of the people of Ammon dies and his son, Hanun takes his place.
As Matthew 6:33 tells us, but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. David tells Hanun that his father showed kindness to David, and David has been raised by God to reciprocate kindness.
10:3 The princes of Ammon suspect malicious intent from David. To them, it is inconceivable that a king should send comfort to another king. In their minds, everything is competition and battle. They are successful in turning Hanun against David, telling him that David true intent is likely to spy.
10:4 In response to a crime David was innocent of, Hunan has all of David's servants shaved, their clothing torn. Ammon humiliates the children of Israel: in their time, a beard was a thing of honor to the culture. The torn garments exposed private areas of the men.
10:5 When David finds out about the torment, he allows his men to wait and remain in Jericho until their bears regrow. David's response is a compassionate one: it would have been embarrassing and degrading for the men to parade the evidence of people tormented by Ammon.
10:6 The people of Ammon realize that they have ruined relations between the people of Ammon and the children of Israel. Immediately they hire soldiers to help defend them, presuming that David would have a response to their cruelty.
10:7 When David hears that Ammon is preparing for a battle, David readies the army of the children of Israel (led by Joab).
10:8 The people of Ammon are poised for battle.
10:9-11 Faced on both sides by enemies, Joab and Abishai (and their respective armies) make a quick plan to separate and each fight an opposing enemy. If either of them becomes overwhelmed, they will receive the help of the other. Joab would face the Syrians and Abishai would face the people of Ammon. Rather than succumb to fear, they decide to work together and wisely against their opposition.
10:12 Joab's next words to his brother are words we can apply to our own lives as we face our own tribulation:
- Be of good courage.
- Let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God.
- And may the Lord do what is good in His sight.
10:13-14 The armies of the children of Israel sufficiently defeat their enemies on both sides. Both the people of Ammon and the Syrians flee from Israel. They small and weak had been made strong by God; after all, they were innocent in the battle. They showed kindness to Ammon and in response, Ammon started a war. The children of Israel simply defended themselves.
10:15-19 The children of Israel and their king, David are a fierce force. David discovers the location of the Syrians, fights and defeats them and then turns them over to their side; Ammon therefore loses another ally.
