IT happened again! I'll try and make sure the entries go through. Tell me if you don't see them in the morning. Thanks, I feel bad! Don't give up on me please!!!!!!!!!
2nd Samuel chapter 10.
One day the King of Ammonites died and his son Hanun took over. David sent a delegate of men to show kindness to the new king because the previous King had shown kindness to David. As a result, the new king assumed that David's men came only as spies in order to check out the land so they could go into war.
Because of the new King's assumption, they responded with evil which resulted into a huge war. Which resulted in the new king losing over 40,000 men in war.
David's action of kindness, for whatever reason, was interpreted as being with evil motives. The Ammonites assumed the worst.
I'm finding in life that this is what we all do. We tend to assume the worst in all kinds of given situations. For examples:
- You wave at someone and they don't wave back so therefore we assumed they were being rude to you or that they don't like you anymore. We never assume they didn't see you or didn't recognize you. Our mind goes in all kinds of negative direction and thoughts.
- One night, some teenagers from our youth, decided to play a prank at our house at night. I had no idea what they were doing. I was in the living room and walked over at our door with my one hand crossed in front of me and the other hand up by my ear. They could see me in the door and they assumed I was on my phone calling the police. They were so afraid they left and then felt bad and came back and confessed their prank that they did. Lol! When in reality I saw and heard nothing.
- We get in arguments with our spouse because of assuming we know the reason for their comments. Then all war breaks out. John 10:10 says Satan comes to destroy while Jesus comes to give life. Satan wants to fill our minds and hearts with lies and division and war while Jesus comes to fill us with truth and unity and peace.
Therefore let us be very careful in what direction we let our minds go when something happens. And let's be very careful how we respond. Are we responding with actions that result in division and war or are we taking actions that help get the truth and unity and peace?
In this chapter it seemed like Hanun did not think for himself when David sent the envoy as a tribute to his father. Instead he listened to the Ammonite commanders who put the idea in his head that David had sent the men not to offer his condolences, but to spy on them. Blair just like you said, how might things have been different had those commanders not said that, or had Hanun not believed them.
Today at mass we read 2 Thessalonians 3 and the first part says:
“ 3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
David tried to do what was right, but once again encountered wicked and evil people.
We saw in the previous chapter about how David showed kindness to Mephibosheth. In this chapter David showed kindness again, but the outcome was much different. Misinterpretations and misunderstandings can make such a big difference in what actions are taken. May we always seek the truth. While we saw kindness from David in these two chapters, we will be seeing a much different side of him in the next chapter.