I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

2 Samuel 10. “It happened after this that the king of the people of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. Then David said, ‘I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me.’ So David sent by the hand of his servants to comfort him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the people of Ammon… Therefore Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half of their beards, cut off their garments in the middle, at their buttocks, and sent them away. When they told David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, ‘Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return'” (Verses 1-2. 4-5). Okay, I have to be honest, the particular means that Hanun uses to punish David’s servants, is a bit funny to me, albeit embarrassing. Although that is not the point of this post. David shows kindness to Hanun at the death of his father, and what does Hanun do? He listens to the worst advice ever instead of doing what would have been the natural human response~ thanking David for his kindness. Instead of this Hanun shames David’s servants and sends them back. The outcome, David, retaliates and the people of Ammon are defeated. The lesson: Sin will always lead to our defeat, do what is right.