PRAYER - "Joab's Prayer"
The Ammonites hired tens of thousands of Syrians to war with them against Israel. David sent Joab with his mighty men. But they faced Syrians in front and behind. Taking half his army one way, and sending the other half with his brother, Abishai, Joab said, "Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good." The Syrians lost 40,000 men and 700 chariots.

2 Samuel 10:19 - "So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more."

PRINCIPALS - "Mephibosheth"

David asked Saul's servant, Ziba, if any of Saul's family were still alive. He discovered that the day Jonathan died, a nursemaid fled with his 5-year-old son. He fell down, becoming crippled for life. Mephibosheth required constant care. David had him brought to Jerusalem, and adopted him. David's compassion should inspire us to be compassionate toward the underprivileged.

2 Samuel 9:7 - "I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually."

PRINCIPLES - "Distrust and Suspicion"

Nahash the Ammonite king showed some unknown kindness to David. When he died, David showed kindness to his son, Hanun, by sending his servants with condolences. But the Ammonite princes distrusted David and suspected the men were spying to overthrow them. They shaved off their beards, cut off their skirts, sent them shamefully away, hired mercenaries, and declared war on Israel. David sent Joab with an army, who whipped them soundly. Distrust and suspicion cause unnecessary wars.

2 Samuel 10:19 - "When all the kings ...saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them."

PROPHECIES - "David's Sin and Curse"

While his armies were off to war, David saw Bathsheba washing herself and ordered his servants to fetch her. He committed adultery with her, then conspired to have her husband killed on the front lines. But Nathan prophesied sorrowful tragedies to come. Beware the awful anguish and high price of sin.

2 Samuel 12:10-12 - "The sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house."