In this chapter we read about the war between David and the Ammonites, this is an explanation of 2 Samuel 8:12. We can also read more about this in 1 Chronicles 19:1-19.
We don’t know how long this period was when Nahash, the king of the Ammonites died and his son, Hanun took his place as king, but David thought he would show him kindness. David chooses to do this because Nahash before he died showed David some kindness.
Although it’s not clear what kindness David is referring to, some commentators believe that, since Nahash was a bitter enemy of Saul, 1 Samuel 11:1-11, he must have helped David when David was on the run from Saul and his men.
It’s clear that David’s intentions were honourable but the Ammonite commanders aren’t so sure, they think he’s spying out on the land to take it over. It’s easy to understand why they would think this way, especially when we remember that David slaughtered two-thirds of the Moabites earlier, 2 Samuel 8:1-2.
It’s also possible they remembered that God condemned them in His law, Deuteronomy 23:3-6. The Moabites and the Ammonites were related because both groups descended from Lot and his daughters, Genesis 19:36-38.
Because they didn’t trust David and his men, Hanun seized David’s envoys and shaved off half of each man’s beard. To shave off any part of an Israelite’s beard was seen as a way of humiliating someone.
Hanun obviously wanted to totally humiliate them and so he also cuts off half of their garments, which would mean they would be exposed, Isaiah 20:4. It’s clear that Hanun has no respect for David or his men.
David’s respect for his men is seen when he tells them to wait in Jericho until their beards have grown back. He didn’t want them to feel undignified, embarrassed or humiliated by anyone.
Although Nahash, Hanun’s father showed kindness to David, Hanun himself showed total disrespect. He knew exactly what he was doing when he treated David’s messengers with total disrespect. He knew that this would cause trouble between the Ammonites and David, he knew that David would retaliate and so he prepares his men and the Syrians for war.
This battle against the Ammonites and the Syrians took place at the gate of Ammon. Joab and his brother, Abishai, split up to fight them separately and they were willing to fight because they believed that God was going to fight with them because this war was not justified and unwarranted.
After the Ammonites and the Syrians run away, Joab returned to Jerusalem. It’s difficult to understand why Joab called off the battle and returned to Jerusalem, especially since they were winning. One possible explanation was that it was winter or winter was on its way, most nations never fought against anyone else in winter seasons.
After fleeing from Joab and his brother Abishai the Arameans decide to regroup. Hadarezer was one of the most powerful leaders at this time in Syria, 2 Samuel 8:3, got his men together to fight David and his men again. This time David would personally lead his men and the Arameans once again lost and fled although David killed Shobak, the commander of their army and a few hundred of their fighting men.
They now know they can’t defeat Israel, so they offer to make peace with them, and they became subject to Israel and the good news is that they were also now afraid to help the Ammonites in the future.
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."