2 Samuel

2 Samuel 10: The LORD does what seems good

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the war with the Ammonites, let us bow before the LORD together. Ask Him to teach us to leave results in His good hands, and to keep our hearts from fear.

The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.

Proverbs 21:31

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You do what seems good to You, and that Joab left the result in Your hands. Show us Jesus, who triumphed over the rulers. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David sends comfort to Hanun after his father’s death, but Hanun’s princes say that David’s servants are spies. Hanun shaves off half of each servant’s beard and cuts their garments, so David tells them to wait at Jericho. The Ammonites hire Syrian armies, and Joab divides his men to fight on two fronts. Joab says, “May Yahweh do what seems good to him,” and the Syrians flee. Hadadezer gathers more Syrians, but David defeats them at Helam, and they make peace with Israel.

As you read 2 Samuel 10, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD does what seems good to Him, and Joab leaves the result in His hands.

David sends comfort to Hanun after his father’s death, but the Ammonite princes say David’s servants are spies (verses 2 and 3). Hanun shames them by shaving half their beards and cutting their garments, and the men wait at Jericho (verses 4 and 5). The Ammonites hire Syrian armies, and Joab sees the battle set against him before and behind (verses 6 and 9). He divides the army and tells his brother to be courageous (verses 10 to 12). Joab then says, “May Yahweh do what seems good to him” (verse 12). The chapter does not say the LORD acted in the battle, but Joab had put the result in His hands. The Syrians flee, and the Ammonites go back into their city (verses 13 and 14). Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities, and He triumphed over them on the cross (Colossians 2 verse 15).

How does 2 Samuel 10 show us that the LORD does what seems good to Him, and that Joab leaves the result in His hands?

David shows kindness, but Hanun shames his servants.

David sends comfort to Hanun for his father’s death (verse 2). The princes call David’s servants spies, and Hanun shaves off half their beards (verses 3 and 4). David sends them away to wait at Jericho until their beards grow back (verse 5).

Joab trusts the LORD in a battle he cannot avoid.

The battle is set against Joab before and behind (verse 9). He divides the army, and he tells Abishai to be courageous (verses 10 and 12). He leaves the outcome to the LORD, and says, “May Yahweh do what seems good to him” (verse 12).

Israel wins the battle, and Joab had left the result to the LORD.

The Syrians flee before Joab and the men with him (verse 13), and the Ammonites flee into their city (verse 14). The chapter does not say the LORD acted in the battle, but Joab had put the result in His hands (verse 12). Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities, and He triumphed over them on the cross (Colossians 2 verse 15).

Memorise

Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God; and may Yahweh do what seems good to him.

2 Samuel 10:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what battle am I afraid of, and who can I trust with it?

Hanun shamed David’s servants, and the Ammonites went to war. Joab faced a battle set before him and behind him. He said, “may Yahweh do what seems good to him.” Jesus has won a greater battle.

Our greatest enemies are sin and death, and no army can defeat them. On the cross Jesus disarmed the rulers and authorities and triumphed over them. He gave His life for His people, and no one can add to that victory. Then God raised Jesus from the dead.

So come to Him, the Victor. Turn from your sin and trust Him. Everyone who trusts Jesus finds mercy and forgiveness.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD does what seems good to Him, and that Joab left the result in His hands. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He does what seems good to Him, and that Joab left the result in His hands. Bring the heart question to Him, and let each child say a short prayer if they want to.

With God is my salvation and my honor. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Psalm 62:7

Lord God, thank You that You do what seems good to You, and that Jesus triumphed over the rulers of this world. Call each one here to repent and trust Jesus. Help us to bring our fears to You this week, and bring our heart question to You. Amen.