Today’s passage: 2 Samuel 10
Helpful thoughts:
- Shaving beards and cutting off these garments were things you did to humiliate prisoners of war who were now under your authority. It might seem a bit much to start a war over beards and clothes, but this was more than that. It was an act of aggression.
- David was angered by this, but he didn’t ready an army until he heard there was one ready for battle against him.
- Joab reminded Israel’s army that the result of the battle was ultimately up to the Lord.
- Their courage was to come from their faith and loyalty to God and for the good of others (The people of Israel).
- We are never told how many soldiers from Israel were there for these battles. It doesn’t matter…God did what was good to Him.
Questions to consider:
- What are the strengths of Joab’s “pep talk” to the soldiers? What was to be their motivation? In whom did they trust?
- Why is it better to say, “May the Lord do what seems good to Him.” instead of “God is going to give us this victory!” How is this especially true if one is fighting a war today in a nation that is not Old Testament Israel?
- What promises do we have from God as citizens of the Kingdom of God? Even though we are not promised ease and victory from the world’s perspective, what truths can we rest in? (Romans 8:31-39)