King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Sunday, May 11, 2025
Chapters: II Samuel 10, I Chronicles 19, Psalms 20
Message: II Samuel/I Chronicles: Israel Defeats Ammon
Hello My Friend,
Yesterday, after spending five hours at the dealership I now have a new car, and I am not going to lie, as soon as I drove off the lot all these fears ran through my head on how I am going to make these payments and still be able to get a house. I woke up this morning with a headache, but then the still small voice of God just whispered, “I have got your back” and all of a sudden I am starting to feel better. It seems like anytime we make major decisions we seem to second guess ourselves, but what is the saying, [James 1:5-7 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.]
I asked God for this car, I did not anticipate the payments being a much as they are, but I did ask for it and since He gave it to me He certainly knows how I will be able to fulfill my obligations. This is a reminder that when we put our faith and trust in God, He will make the way possible, again, and again, and again, [1 Timothy 6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.]
As we return to the reading of 1 Chronicles and the reading of 2 Samuel, we learn that as Christians, whether or not we win or lose the battles we are faced with, God still has their back. Yesterday we learned of all the success David had as king and how he had the respect of their enemies, today, we learn that one of David’s friends died, who happened to be the king of Ammon. The king showed kindness to David by sheltering one of his brothers when the king of Moab massacred the rest of his family. Even though the two nations were not allies, David, and the king were so, when Nahash died, David, wanted to pay his respects by sending some of his servants to comfort him.
[1 Chronicles 19:1-4 Now it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead. 2 And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. 3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land? 4 Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.]
These men had falsely accused David of just sending his men there to see what they were up against so he could take it over. Instead of just apologizing for their misconception and making things right with David they made things worse by hiring the Syrians to help them go up against Israel.
[2 Samuel 10:6-8 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-tob twelve thousand men. 7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. 8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ish-tob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.]
This was actually uncalled for, but civil battles never start over something actually worth fighting for, they are always over pride. Thanks to Hanun and his alter ego, Israel has another battle to fight. Nevertheless, it does not matter how many nations think they can attack Israel, God, always has their back as long as they are right with God. As Joab gets his army ready he learns that the Syrians were coming at them on the opposite side so he decided to divide up the army, using his brother Abishai to head up the other side.
[1 Chronicles 19:10-13 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. 11 And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon. 12 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee. 13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.]
Joab, was not the best God fearing leader, but he was no fool at this time, he knew that if it is in the will of God, then they will win the battle, but even if they lost they still needed to present themselves in a way that glorifies God. Do you know what the biggest downfall of many Christians is today? They do not have each others back. Well, it does not matter how bad things are going, we need to be there for each other and back each other up because we really are all in this together, [Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.]
Believe it or not, sometimes it is in the will of God that we lose a fight, but we are to never count any loss as a failure because God always has a reason and purpose behind it. There is great deal of learning and insight that comes when God allows us to be knocked down once in a while. Yet in every battle, God, sends out His very best to fight, and while they may not want to fight, and may even want to hide, He is the one who gives them the courage to stand up and fight, [1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.]
This is exactly what the men did, but not before praying, [Psalms 20:1-5 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; 2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; 3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. 4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. 5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.]
In other words, “Thy will be done.” Win or lose, those who put their trust in God leading them in the battle, will win one way or another. And well, Joab’s plan along with David’s prayer worked, [2 Samuel 10:13-16 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. 14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem. 15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.]
Do you realize that even when things are going bad and we feel like we are being defeated at every angle that God is still working things out for good? It can be hard to understand the battles we face sometimes, but it is not hard to understand that God has our back. So, with some courage and their faith in God, they went forth into battle and discovered that Ammon and Syrians were more afraid then they were.
[1 Chronicles 19:16-19 And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them. 17 And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him. 18 But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host. 19 And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.]
In every battle there are two sides, each side praying to their god to win the victory, but only one will win. No one really wants to be in a battle, but it is unavoidable sometimes, and therefore, we must always be prepared, and must train ourselves to fight, then leave the rest up to God. Jesus, said it this way, [Matthew 24:42-44 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.]
I believe that the trips and falls of life, even as faithful Christians, are God’s way of making us into a pattern that resembles His Son. Perhaps the recovery from a fall, through Christ, is exactly what someone else whom has fallen and does not know what to do needs to see to let them know that Jesus has not given up on them. We all need to come together, the strong, the weak, the fallen, and the risen, all under the power of Christ, [Psalms 20:6-9 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. 9 Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.]
Today’s Prayer: God, As much as I do understand that You are with me through every battle, that still does not mean I am willing to fight. Your timing is everything and as long as I wait patiently, and trust You, I know that my faith will get the victory every time, even in defeat. I thank You for bringing me this far, and to imagine what mess I would be in if You were not in my life would be frightening. I know You have more waiting for me as I patiently allow You to prepare me, strengthen me, and keep me humble. I ask You to give me Your power to wait on You, to not become discouraged, and to have courage even if I am the only one trusting You. I trust that You will bring me to victory, my Lord, my strength, my Redeemer. And I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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