Once again we see David extending compassion toward someone who was hurting. The King of Ammon had died and David sent emissaries to extend his condolences to his son. The new king chose to misinterpret David’s intentions aided by the dark suspicions of his advisers. They believed a rumor that David had designs on their kingdom because they judged based on what they heard even though it contradicted what they knew of the goodness and friendship of the past. Their suspicions and misconceptions brought down on them the very tragedy they feared.
The behavior of the Ammonites shows us how quickly people are to believe rumors, to believe the worst about a person even when these contradict what we know from past experience. A suspicious mind tends to misinterpret even the most innocent and innocuous statements, to believe that the speaker has evil intentions. Such rumors and suspicions can wreak havoc on individuals, families and churches for even Christians believe the worst. Yet the Christian is commanded to love his brothers and even his enemies. And love, as the apostle Paul wrote, does not look at the worst but hopes for the best and always trusts even when circumstances may seem to run counter to what one knows. After all, we must keep faith in the love of the Lord even when our pain and suffering would make us wonder what He is doing.
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