1 CHRONICLES 19

THE AMMONITES DISTRUST THE ISRAELITES

David hears that Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, died and sends some messengers to console Hanun, Nahash’s son. When the messengers arrive in Ammon Nahash assumes they are spies, so he cuts off their beards and half of the robes, leaving them exposed and humiliated.

The Ammonites hire the Syrians (or Arameans) to help them battle the Israelites, but David and his two military leaders Joab and Abishai, are able to defeat all of them. After this defeat, the Syrians no longer want to team up with the Ammonites.