Over the past several chapters, God has dealt kindly and compassionately with David. Now, in 1 Chronicles 19, we see David dealing out kindness and compassion to others. We too should reflect the LORD’s mercy if we have been the recipients of it. But we should not be surprised if our favorable treatment of others is not always received graciously and with gratitude. When the neighboring king of Ammon died, David sends messengers to express his sympathy to Hanun, now reigning in the place of his father. His goal was to maintain good relations between their two nations. But Hanun’s advisers warn him that David can’t be trusted, and these messengers of consolation are actually spies with evil intent. So Hanun disgraces the men, cutting off their beards and their garments, before sending them away (v 1-5). David is not pleased that his overture of mercy and compassion is met with rejection, humiliation, and hostility. And the Ammonites proceed to recruit military support from other nations, coming out to battle the Israelites. In the flow of the narrative, this particular incident illustrates how David’s wars are not to be viewed as wars of aggression. Those willing to live at peace with God’s king are welcome to do so, but it was necessary that David defend himself in the face of an enemy’s aggression against him (v 7-9). Joab, David’s general, led the Israelite army, along with his brother, Abishai. A healthy blend of leadership courage and humble trust in the sovereignty of God is on display when Joab tells his brother, “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” (v 10-13). The first battle against Syria and Ammon (v 14-15) is followed by a more comprehensive war against the Syrians, who paid a heavy price for their opposition to Israel’s army (v 16-19). By chapter’s end, the Syrians are making peace with David, subject to his rule. And while the LORD was with David, helping him wherever he went (18:6b, 13b), “the Syrians were not willing to save (help) the Ammonites anymore” (19:19). The lesson of all this warfare is the same as that which is celebrated in Psalm 2: the kings of the earth can devise only an empty plan against the LORD and His anointed. But as Christians, we should dispense God’s mercy and compassion to all people, even if it does result in our injury or rejection. For Christ was injured and rejected on our behalf, leaving an example for us to follow. For further meditation: