**The Tale of Hanun’s Folly and David’s Victory**
In the days when King David ruled over Israel, his kingdom was established and flourishing. The Lord had granted him victory over his enemies, and his name was revered among the nations. It was during this time that Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, died. Nahash had shown kindness to David in the past, and when David heard of his death, he resolved to send a delegation to comfort Hanun, Nahash’s son, who now ruled in his father’s place.
David summoned his most trusted servants and said to them, “Go to Hanun, the son of Nahash, and express my deepest condolences for the loss of his father. Let him know that I mourn with him and that I remember the kindness his father showed me.” The servants bowed before David and set out on their journey to the land of the Ammonites, carrying with them words of comfort and goodwill.
When they arrived in Rabbah, the capital of Ammon, they were brought before Hanun. The young king, surrounded by his advisors and court officials, listened as David’s servants delivered their message. But Hanun’s heart was troubled, and suspicion began to take root in his mind. Turning to his advisors, he said, “Do you think David has sent these men to comfort me? Surely, he has sent them to spy out the land and to overthrow it!”
The advisors, eager to please their king and perhaps harboring their own fears of David’s growing power, agreed with Hanun’s suspicions. “These men are not here to comfort you,” they said. “They are here to gather information so that David may attack us.” Hanun, swayed by their words, made a decision that would bring disaster upon his kingdom.
He ordered his servants to seize David’s men. The servants, following their king’s command, roughly grabbed the envoys and dragged them away. Hanun then commanded that their beards be shaved off and their garments cut off at the waist, leaving them humiliated and exposed. This was a grave insult, not only to the men but also to David, whom they represented. When the deed was done, Hanun sent them away in disgrace.
The envoys, deeply ashamed, made their way back to Jerusalem. When they arrived, they did not go into the city immediately, for their appearance would have brought further shame. Instead, they sent word to David, informing him of what had happened. David, filled with righteous anger, sent messengers to meet them outside the city. “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back,” he said, “and then return to me.”
Meanwhile, Hanun, realizing the gravity of what he had done, began to prepare for war. He knew that David would not let such an insult go unanswered. He sent envoys of his own to the neighboring kingdoms, hiring mercenaries to strengthen his army. From the Arameans of Mesopotamia, the Arameans of Maacah, and the men of Tob, he gathered a vast force of chariots, horsemen, and foot soldiers. The Ammonites themselves assembled and took up positions at the entrance to their city, ready to defend against the impending attack.
When David heard of Hanun’s preparations, he knew that war was inevitable. He summoned Joab, the commander of his army, and gave him orders to gather the mighty men of Israel. Joab, a seasoned warrior, quickly assembled a formidable force and led them to the land of the Ammonites. As they approached, they saw the Ammonites arrayed for battle at the city gates, with the Aramean mercenaries positioned in the open country.
Joab, assessing the situation, divided his forces. He placed the elite troops under the command of his brother Abishai and said to him, “If the Arameans prove too strong for me, you must come to my aid. But if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come to your aid. Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in His sight.”
With these words, Joab and Abishai led their men into battle. The clash of swords, the thunder of chariots, and the cries of warriors filled the air as the two armies met. Joab and his men fought valiantly against the Arameans, while Abishai and his troops engaged the Ammonites. The Lord was with the Israelites, and they began to gain the upper hand. The Arameans, seeing the ferocity of Joab’s attack, fled before him. The Ammonites, too, began to retreat, realizing that they could not stand against the might of Israel.
When the Aramean mercenaries saw that they had been defeated, they regrouped and sent for reinforcements. Hadadezer, the king of Zobah, sent his army, led by Shophach, to join the fight. David, hearing of this new threat, gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan to confront the Arameans once more. The two armies met at Helam, and the battle was fierce.
But the Lord was with David and his men. They struck down the Arameans, killing thousands, including Shophach, their commander. The rest of the Aramean forces fled, and their allies, the Ammonites, were left without support. Seeing that their allies had been defeated, the Ammonites retreated to their city, and the war came to an end.
David returned to Jerusalem, victorious once more. The nations around Israel saw the power of the Lord and feared Him. They understood that David’s success was not by his own strength but by the hand of God, who fought for His people.
As for Hanun, his folly had brought destruction upon his kingdom. His mistrust and pride had led him to insult David and provoke a war he could not win. The Ammonites, though they had prepared for battle, were no match for the Lord’s chosen people. And so, the story of Hanun’s folly serves as a reminder that those who act in pride and suspicion will reap the consequences of their actions, while those who trust in the Lord will find strength and victory in Him.
Thus, the Lord upheld His promise to David, and His name was glorified among the nations.
