Let NOT the Insults of the World Divide Us

Christian, do not be ignorant. This world is not your friend. 

1 Chronicles 19:1–2 (ESV) Now after this Nahash the king of the Ammonites died, and his son reigned in his place. 2 And David said, “I will deal kindly with Hanun the son of Nahash, for his father dealt kindly with me.” So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. And David’s servants came to the land of the Ammonites to Hanun to console him.

David seeks to be kind to Hanun - a foreign king of Israel's enemies. Why? Because we know from this passage is that his father had been kind to David. But what we know from other passages is that Nahash's threat against them originally instigated Israel's demand for a king which gave them Saul:

1 Samuel 12:12 (ESV) And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the LORD your God was your king.

In 1 Samuel 11, it was Nahash's antagonism against Israel that instigated Saul's leadership. He took charge and defeated the Ammonites thus solidifying his rule.

Well at some point along the way, David and Nahash had become respectful friends toward one another. This is not bad. Where believers and unbelievers can live peacefully and respectfully among each other, they should. 

However, upon Nahash's death, the relationship quickly sours. His son Hanun is more influenced by his men than David's kindness.

1 Chronicles 19:3–4 (ESV) But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Have not his servants come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?” 4 So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved them and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away;

Summarizing the next moment, David's men are humiliated and his enemies immediately understand this spells trouble with David so they hire a mercenary army from Syria to partner with them in attacking Israel. How quickly our relationship with the sons of this world can sour.

Joab and the army are immediately overwhelmed and the battle looks bleak. 

1 Chronicles 19:10–11 (ESV) When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. 11 The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and they were arrayed against the Ammonites. 

Joab and Abishai are brothers but more important, they are battle partners. This is a key moment as their partnership will yield victory in the end and present an important lesson for the people of God. When the world around us mocks and insults us, we must never let their attitudes divide us! 

1 Chronicles 19:12 (ESV) And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you.

Notice the phrase Joab uses in the next verse:

1 Chronicles 19:13 (ESV) Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.”

When the enemy seeks to insult and divide God's people, God's people must respond with a heart for each other. Joab seeks to be strong for the SAKE of God's people and then he leaves the battle results in the hands of the Lord. Now we notice that this agreement and unity among the warriors of Israel produce a strength that intimidates the enemy. The battle does not even get started before it is over.

1 Chronicles 19:14–15 (ESV) So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians for battle, and they fled before him. 15 And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, Joab’s brother, and entered the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.

What's the lesson here? We must always remember as well that worldly friends (Nahash) can soon become enemies (Hanun). When this happens, it will be the family of God that strengthens us in the fight of faith. Christians must be more aware than ever that this world is not our home. We are bound together through Christ's blood and that supersedes all other interpersonal connections and keeps us grounded in the hope of our heavenly habitation.

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