2 Samuel 10:6-19

International quarrels.

The facts are:

1 . The Ammonites, discovering the displeasure of David, hire mercenaries of the neighbouring peoples.

2 . As a countermovement, David sends out a strong force under Joab.

3 . The opposing forces coming into contact, Joab arranges that he should confront the Syrians, while Abishai deals with the Ammonites.

4 . Joab, exhorting Abishai to courage, in dependence on God, arranges also for mutual support, in case of need, in their respective attacks.

5 . On the Syrians yielding to the assault of Joab, the Ammonites also flee from before Abishai, whereupon Joab returns to Jerusalem.

6 . Another effort of the Syrians under Hadarezer, aided by others from beyond the Euphrates, draws out David at the head of a large army to the eastern side of Jordan.

7 . A great battle, issuing in the complete defeat of the Syrians; the tributary kings under Hadarezer make peace with Israel and serve them. We have here a record of quarrels and entanglements, which to the eye of a sacred historian have a bearing on the development of the kingdom of Israel, and consequently on the ultimate advent of the "Prince of the kings of the earth." In that respect the events form a section of the intricate movements of Providence for the furtherance of spiritual interests, and they have their natural place in the Divine moral order, allowing for human freedom, as truly as the formation of the igneous and sedimentary rocks have in the physical order. The narrative may thus be taken as typical of a class. But we may regard the record as suggesting, or illustrating, truths which, while prominent in international quarrels, have also a wider application to human life in general. These chiefly are as follows.

I. THE MAINTENANCE OF HONOUR IS A DUTY . It was right for David to resent the indignity and insult. Meekness and gentleness are qualities consistent with assertion of what is due to self as a man, as a ruler, as a representative of a people and of a Divine institution. A king's honour is his strength, because of the trust of his people, the sentiment of loyalty, the force of his decrees, his silent restraint of the turbulent, and, in David's case, also because of the Divine institution of his government. How kings and individuals may best maintain their honour is a question to be decided by the circumstances of the case; in some way the holiest and kindest may do it and ought to do it.

II. THE REPROACH AND DISPLEASURE OF THE JUST IS ITSELF THE BEGINNING OF PUNISHMENT . That the Ammonites "stank before David"—a monarch so wise, just, and generous—was a brand on them of demerit, and the natural forerunner of chastisement to come. Whoever by his deeds falls righteously under the displeasure of a just man, is ipso facto branded as base, is classed by his own conscience and all honourable observers as a criminal. This changing of the face of the just towards the wicked is the primary social punishment of sin ordained by God, and, as the gathering clouds precede the storm, it is the token of further providential chastisements. The course of nature in the long run follows in the course of moral right.

III. SINFUL FOLLY IS SURE TO BRING ON PERPLEXITIES AND PERILS . No doubt there was great mirth in the court of Hanun when the Hebrew ambassadors were half shorn of their beards and apparel. But the mirth was as "the crackling of thorns under a pot" ( Ecclesiastes 7:6 ). It was soon found that this cheap mirth was, in fact, dearly bought; for the displeasure of so mighty a king as David was soon discovered to mean for them great perplexity and peril. So is it with all sin, which is a sort of moral madness. It may give passing gratification, and all may seem secure, but it leads to perplexities and perils from which there is no escape as long as a Righteous One sits on his throne. The irony of the preacher is painfully true ( Ecclesiastes 11:9 ).

IV. ONE EVIL DEED REQUIRES OTHER DEVICES TO SUSTAIN IT . The sinful folly of the Ammonites necessitated the device of hiring mercenary troops to ward off the blow that was impending as a consequence of their sin. It is quite true that in any progressive life action must be sustained by action, but in the case of evil doing the device is to stave off something which ought not to come, and which would not be feared but for the previous wrong. Sin cannot remain sole. If there is not immediate repentance there will be an effort to get out of the self-caused difficulties by other questionable means. The liar has to take ceaseless precautions because of his lie. The man who rejects Christ is conscious of much uneasiness, and has to exercise ingenuity to escape this consequence. Troops of mercenaries are hired.

V. WELL STORED RESOURCES ADMIT OF PROMPT ACTION IN EMERGENCIES . David had during the five years of his reign paid great attention to the administration of the affairs of his kingdom, and, as a consequence, he was now able at once to avail himself of the resources that had been treasured up. He sent "Joab, and all the host of mighty men" ( 2 Samuel 10:7 ). The fruits of prescience and care were now available without confusion or delay. In kingdoms, as in homes and in business, providence and orderly arrangement give great advantages for action when unexpected and trying events transpire. The same is true of early education and culture, of Church organization, of the personal spiritual life. The world is evil; events at cross purposes with our plans and adverse to our peace will arise; it is "impossible but that offences come." The moral is, lay up in store continuously, and so be ready for action, and therefore ready for victory.

VI. SOUND PRINCIPLES PERTAINING TO CONDUCT AFFORD MORAL SUPPORT IN TIMES OF GREAT STRESS AND DANGER . Joab showed the better side of his nature when he exhorted Abishai, in face of the foe, to act as a man for the honour and safety of his people and cities, leaving the consequences in the hands of God ( 2 Samuel 10:12 ). Not for military display, not for aggrandizement, not for personal gain, but to vindicate a people whose head had been insulted,—this was the principle on which the battle should be fought. In this was duty; consequences were with God, who cares for the just. History reveals instances in which men have been made strong by the just principle for which they contended. A righteous cause is itself equivalent to an armed force, both in the moral tone it gives to those engaged in it, and in the secret depression of those on the other side. It would be interesting to trace out the physical bearings of moral influences. Let us see to it that out' great efforts are under the guidance of clear moral principles.

VII. IN THE CONFLICTS OF LIFE AN ASSURANCE OF MUTUAL HELPFULNESS IS A HELP AGAINST DISASTER . The arrangement for mutual help in case of pressure ( 2 Samuel 10:11 ) was helpful, in that it anticipated a possible evil, and it inspired each with the courage that comes of sympathy and support. In human affairs, secular and religious, the possibility of disaster must be taken into account, because of personal imperfection and of the unascertained forces against us. We do not possess the knowledge by which we can always dispose of our strength in the right quarter, and, even when we do possess it, there may be sudden moral paralysis. None of us contend alone, or for self only. Hence we can be mutually helpful, as were Joab and Abishai. More of this in things sacred and secular would save from many a disaster.

VIII. UNWISE ALLIANCES LEAD ON TO SERIOUS ENTANGLEMENTS . The Syrians lent themselves for gain ( 2 Samuel 10:6 ) to an alliance with the Ammonites. This compact, destitute of sound principle, involved the Syrians in what appeared to them to be the necessity of maintaining their reputation in spite of defeat; and hence further arrangements were made with Syrians "beyond the river." A Syrian war, with the whole of Israel's army under the leadership of the invincible David, was the consequence. Such difficulties arise when men make unholy alliances against a just cause. If men cannot unite without evil it is better to stand aloof. Nature has formed certain elements to combine, and others to keep apart. Whoever tries to put together what is contrary to nature will get into difficulty. Whoever forms an unholy alliance in human affairs, national or personal, is seeking to bring about advantages which it is in the course of moral order to prevent; and sooner or later greater embarrassments will arise. In moral matters simplicity and direct submission to the moral order are true wisdom.

IX. ADVERSE BEGINNINGS MAY , FOR THE JUST , ISSUE IN GOOD ENDINGS . It is a pain and annoyance to David to have his friendliness so wantonly rejected ( 2 Samuel 10:4 ), but the event issued in the extension of his power and the surer peace of his people ( 2 Samuel 10:18 , 2 Samuel 10:19 ). Man has the beginnings of things in his hand, but a Mightier One works them up towards issues of his own. The persecution of the early Church resulted in the wider diffusion of the gospel. The rejection of Christ by the Jewish nation is to issue in a greater glory. Many things in our personal experience may pain and injure us, but by stirring up our strength, by awakening more trust in God and leading to greater caution and courage, we may in the end achieve conquests once never thought of.

HOMILIES BY B. DALE