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they are unfitted to perform！ God's providence may speak to them； as did His
prophet to David； declaring that the work which they so much desire is not
committed to them。 It is theirs to prepare the way for another to accomplish
it。 But instead of gratefully submitting to the divine direction； many fall
back as
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if slighted and rejected； feeling that if they cannot do the one thing which
they desire to do； they will do nothing。 Many cling with desperate energy to
responsibilities which they are incapable of bearing； and vainly endeavor to
accomplish a work for which they are insufficient； while that which they
might do； lies neglected。 And because of this lack of co…operation on their
part the greater work is hindered or frustrated。
David； in his covenant with Jonathan； had promised that when he should have
rest from his enemies he would show kindness to the house of Saul。 In his
prosperity； mindful of this covenant； the king made inquiry； 〃Is there yet
any that is left of the house of Saul； that I may show him kindness for
Jonathan's sake？〃 He was told of a son of Jonathan； Mephibosheth； who had
been lame from childhood。 At the time of Saul's defeat by the Philistines at
Jezreel； the nurse of this child； attempting to flee with him； had let him
fall； thus making him a lifelong cripple。 David now summoned the young man
to court and received him with great kindness。 The private possessions of
Saul were restored to him for the support of his household； but the son of
Jonathan was himself to be the constant guest of the king； sitting daily at
the royal table。 Through reports from the enemies of David； Mephibosheth had
been led to cherish a strong prejudice against him as a usurper； but the
monarch's generous and courteous reception of him and his continued kindness
won the heart of the young man； he became strongly attached to David； and；
like his father Jonathan； he felt that his interest was one with that of the
king whom God had chosen。
After David's establishment upon the throne of Israel the nation enjoyed a
long interval of peace。 The surrounding peoples； seeing the strength and
unity of the kingdom； soon thought it prudent to desist from open
hostilities； and David； occupied with the organization and upbuilding of his
kingdom； refrained from aggressive war。 At last； however； he made war upon
Israel's old enemies； the Philistines； and upon the Moabites； and succeeded
in overcoming both and making them tributary。
Then there was formed against the kingdom of David a vast coalition of the
surrounding nations； out of which grew the greatest wars and victories of
his reign and the most extensive accessions to his power。 This hostile
alliance； which really sprang from jealousy of David's increasing power； had
been wholly
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unprovoked by him。 The circumstances that led to its rise were these：
Tidings were received at Jerusalem announcing the death of Nahash； king of
the Ammonitesa monarch who had shown kindness to David when he was a
fugitive from the rage of Saul。 Now； desiring to express his grateful
appreciation of the favor shown him in his distress； David sent ambassadors
with a message of sympathy to Hanun； the son and successor of the Ammonite
king。 〃Said David； I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash； as his
father showed kindness unto me。〃
But his courteous act was misinterpreted。 The Ammonites hated the true God
and were the bitter enemies of Israel。 The apparent kindness of Nahash to
David had been prompted wholly by hostility to Saul as king of Israel。 The
message of David was misconstrued by Hanun's counselors。 They 〃said unto
Hanun their lord； Thinkest thou that David doth honor 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？〃 It was by
the advice of his counselors that Nahash； half a century before； had been
led to make the cruel condition required of the people of Jabesh…gilead；
when； besieged by the Ammonites； they sued for a covenant of peace。 Nahash
had demanded the privilege of thrusting out all their right eyes。 The
Ammonites still vividly remembered how the king of Israel had foiled their
cruel design； and had rescued the people whom they would have humbled and
mutilated。 The same hatred of Israel still prompted them。 They could have no
conception of the generous spirit that had inspired David's message。 When
Satan controls the minds of men he will excite envy and suspicion which will
misconstrue the very best intentions。 Listening to his counselors； Hanun
regarded David's messengers as spies； and loaded them with scorn and insult。
The Ammonites had been permitted to carry out the evil purposes of their
hearts without restraint； that their real character might be revealed to
David。 It was not God's will that Israel should enter into a league with
this treacherous heathen people。
In ancient times； as now； the office of ambassador was held sacred。 By the
universal law of nations it ensured protection from personal violence or
insult。 The ambassador standing as a representative of his sovereign； any
indignity offered to him demanded
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prompt retaliation。 The Ammonites； knowing that the insult offered to Israel
would surely be avenged； made preparation for war。 〃When the children of
Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David； Hanun and the
children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots
and horsemen out of Mesopotamia； and out of Syria…maachah； and out of Zobah。
So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots。 。 。 。 And the children of
Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities； and came to battle。〃 1
Chronicles 19：6； 7。
It was indeed a formidable alliance。 The inhabitants of the region lying
between the river Euphrates and the Mediterranean Sea had leagued with the
Ammonites。 The north and east of Canaan was encircled with armed foes；
banded together to crush the kingdom of Israel。
The Hebrews did not wait for the invasion of their country。 Their forces；
under Joab； crossed the Jordan and advanced toward the Ammonite capital。 As
the Hebrew captain led his army to the field he sought to inspire them for
the conflict； saying； 〃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。〃 1 Chronicles 19：13。 The united forces of
the allies were overcome in the first engagement。 But they were not yet
willing to give over the contest； and the next year renewed the war。 The
king of Syria gathered his forces； threatening Israel with an immense army。
David； realizing how much dependent upon the result of this contest； took
the field in person； and by the blessing of God inflicted upon the allies a
defeat so disastrous that the Syrians； from Lebanon to the Euphrates； not
only gave up the war； but became tributary to Israel。 Against the Ammonites
David pushed the war with vigor； until th