Prosperous Reign of David
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that inspired David’s message. 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 that their real character might be revealed to David. It
was not God’s will that Israel enter into a league with this heathen
people.
Knowing that the insult offered to Israel would surely be avenged,
the Ammonites made preparation for war. The inhabitants of the region
between the river Euphrates and the Mediterranean leagued with the
Ammonites to crush Israel.
The Hebrews did not wait for the invasion. Under Joab they ad-
vanced toward the Ammonite capital. The united forces of the allies
were overcome in the first engagement, but the next year they renewed
the war. David took the field in person, and by the blessing of God
inflicted a defeat so disastrous that the Syrians, from Lebanon to the
Euphrates, not only gave up the war, but became tributary to Israel.
The dangers that threatened the nation with destruction proved
to be the means by which it rose to greatness. Commemorating his
deliverance, David sings:
Blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of my
salvation:
Even the God that executeth vengeance for me,
and subdueth peoples under me.
He rescueth me from mine enemies.
Psalm 18:46-48
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Throughout the songs of David, the thought was impressed on his
people that Jehovah was their strength and deliverer:
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:
But we will remember the name of Jehovah our
God.
Psalm 20:7
The kingdom of Israel had now reached in extent the fulfillment
of the promise given to Abraham: “Unto thy seed have I given this