1 Chronicles 20 | Wayfarer

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces. He laid waste the land of the Ammonites and went to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins.
1 Chronicles 20:1 (NIV)

Today’s short chapter continues the Chronicler’s overview of King David’s military exploits, but it’s also a continuation of the story in yesterday’s chapter when the newly crowned Ammonite King humiliated King David’s entourage by shaving their beards off and cutting holes in the backsides so they returned with their butts exposed for all to see. David’s army attacked the Ammonites and their mercenary allies, the Arameans. While the attack was technically a win, most of the Ammonites fled into their walled city and escaped. But David considered the job undone.

Warfare in ancient times was typically dependent on the weather and the seasons. The first attack on the Ammonites must have been late in the season because David’s army withdrew back to Jerusalem. When the following spring arrived, they returned to the land of the Ammonites and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. This time, they were successful in deposing the King who had humiliated David’s men.

In the quiet this morning, I thought about the King of the Ammonites’ foolish act on the advice of his commanders (be careful whose advice you heed). I thought about the anger he roused within David. David told his men to stay away until their beards grew back so they would not be humiliated in front of their family, friends, and community. That means during the season the army was on stand down and they were waiting for spring the absence of these men was a constant reminder of the insult. When their beards finally grew back and they returned, it was yet another reminder of the Ammonites’ offense. The King of the Ammonites had ensured that David’s anger would fester and the insult would be perpetually remembered.

As I meditated on these things, I was reminded of Jesus words:

“This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.

“Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you’re likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. If that happens, you won’t get out without a stiff fine.”
Matthew 5:23-26 (MSG)

Of course, Jesus was talking about interpersonal relationships and not international diplomacy. Nevertheless, the King of the Ammonites is a great object lesson of the principle. When David’s army returned in the spring, the King did not send his army out to face them in the field. Perhaps the same commanders who advised the King to insult David now advised him to keep them and their army safely sequestered inside the walls of the city. In doing so, the Ammonite King abandoned his own people in the lands and villages around the city sacrificing his own people to David’s army who easily captured and plundered them. In the end, the King paid dearly for a proud and foolish insult.

I’m reminded this morning that following Jesus’ teaching means treating others, even enemies, with humility, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Sometimes that’s hard, but I find that it avoids escalation of the conflict and the consequences that brings. I’m also reminded of the importance of initiating peacemaking when I’ve knowingly offended someone else. Ignoring it allows for anger and resentment to fester, and the consequences could very well be regrettable.

Just ask the King of the Ammonites.

If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.

In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.
1 Chronicles 20 (NIV)

FYI… polydactyly (Greek for “many fingers”), is a rare but known genetic mutation that happens with one in every 500 live human births. The mutation is also found in certain animals. If you ever go to Key West, Florida, be sure to visit Hemingway’s house and his fabled six-toed cats which still inhabit the house and grounds.

I came from a relatively small family. My mother was an only child. My dad had one brother. I had three first cousins. It was pretty simple to keep track of who was who. I have only three siblings and one of my brothers has not married and does not have children (that he knows of 😉 – sorry, Tim, couldn’t resist). So it is fairly easy to keep tabs on nephews (2) and nieces (2).

Wendy comes from a relatively large family. There are seven siblings and to that you add a few spouses and children. Between her immediate family and extended family, it took me a few years to figure out who everyone was. To be honest, with the extended family I’m still confused on a regular basis.

We have friends who have twelve or more siblings. I can’t imagine the spreadsheet you need to keep track.

The truth is, despite my limited family extensions, I’ve come to appreciate in recent years how important the role of uncles and aunts can be in family dynamics. Uncles and Aunts are usually about the same age as parents, but they aren’t responsible for their nephews and nieces so I notice that it’s easier to extend a little more grace. Uncles and Aunts grew up with one or both of our parents and have a lot longer experience living with them, so they provide nephews and nieces what can sometimes be a much needed context in understanding the parental unit. Aunts and Uncles can be fun to hang out with. They can be appreciated, admired, and enjoyed without a lot of the relational entanglements that come with parents.

I thought about that when I read of Jonathan, David’s nephew, who killed the six-fingered man from Gath who dared to taunt Israel. I can imagine Jonathan hearing the six-fingered man’s taunting and thinking of his Uncle David, whom he’d always admired and of whom he’d always heard the family legend of the killing of Goliath. “If Uncle David can do it,” Jonathan thinks to himself, “So can I!”

This morning I’m grateful for uncles and aunts, nephews and nieces.