1 Chronicles 19

1 Chronicles 19:1-5

Here is, 1. David’s civility to the king of Ammon, ver. 1, 2. 2. The affront shown to David, in the holy usage of his ambassadors, ver. 3, 4. 3. David’s just resentment of it, ver. 6—19.

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, ‘Thinketh 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 go out the land? 4. Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst: land by their instances, and sent them away. 5. Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served; and he sent to meet them (for the men were greatly ashamed) and the king said, ‘Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

This story we may find, a Sam. x. It shows, (1.) How the kindest actions may be misinterpreted, and the most friendly concern he repaid with ingratitude. (2.) That the most innocent character may suffer much reproach. (3.) Where whispers are heard, very friends are separated. (4.) That they who receive damage in our service, ought to be tenderly taken care of, and provided for.

6. ¶ And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves a odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to him, ‘hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syria-maschah, and out of Zohah. 7. So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maschah and his people, who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle. 8. And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. 9. And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in aray before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come, were by themselves in the field. 10. 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 aray against the Syrians. 11. And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in aray 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. 14. So Joab and the people that were with him, drew high before the Syrians, unto the battle; and they fled before him. 15. And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entred into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem. 16. ¶ And when the Syrians saw that

VOL. I 5 X they The image is too blurry to recognize any text content. m. 17. Ob’seve have,

1. Where God hath love to a sinner’s soul, he will not spare the rod of chaffisement.

2. Gad’s reproof brought David to his knees, but this could not save him from the threatened judgment. We shall suffer in the flesh for our sins, though our spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

3. Our folly usually brings us into our greatest straits, and we have nobody but ourselves to blame.

4. If God’s mercy was not infinite, verily we should be utterly confirmed.

5. The only resource which we have left, is that God we have offended; when humbled in the duft we fly to him, he will lay the uplifted thunderbolt aside, v. 16.

1 Chronicles 19:18-30

David is relieved from his terrible distress: Gad, the messenger of his plague, brings him notice of reconciliations, and directs him what to do, in which David makes no delay.

1. He purchases the threshing-floor of Ornan, or Araunah, where the angel appeared, to rear an altar for sacrifice.

2. He offers there the blood of atonement, and God testifies his acceptance, by fire from heaven on the sacrifice. There is one sacrifice in which God is well pleased; if his blood be upon us, then the sword of judgment shall not hurt us.

3. David continued ever after to sacrifice on this altar. At first, he was afraid to move from Jerusalem, where he had seen the terrible angel, till the judgment was removed; and afterwards God’s gracious acceptance of his offering, encouraged him to continue his attendance at the same place. Note, Where we have found especial blessings to our souls, it is our wisdom there to continue our attendance upon God.