Ill Treatment of the Messengers of David by Hanun, King of the Ammonites

    The message of David to Hanun, king of the Ammonites, in condolence on the death of his father, was a most effectual way to secure peace between the two nations. This God did not design: this his Providence prevented. When David's messengers arrived, the princes of Hanun excited him to suspect the sincerity of David, and grossly to insult him in the person of those commissioned by him. It may be politic in statesmen to guard against insincerity in the most friendly professions. But to betray these suspicions, and return insult for kindness, is both inhuman and grossly impolitic. Had there been just grounds to suspect the sincerity of David, it was the wisdom of Hanun's court to overlook this, and return the compliment that was so politely conferred. But when God determines to punish nations, he makes their rulers mad, even though they may be in other respects wise and cautious men. So was it on this occasion. "Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away." Thus vengeance came on Ammon. And thus it is in every age. When God designs to send the sword, his Providence often employs the rashness of mutual insults as the means of unsheathing it. A point of honour may deluge nations with blood.