1. David's kindness spurned (1-5)

Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had been a friend to David during his wilderness life. When Nahash died, David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun his son. Hanun was a practical joker with a twisted sense of humor. He shamed the envoys David had sent by shaving half of their beards, cutting off their garments at the buttocks, and sending them away. This event sparked a major war.

2. Be strong; let us fight bravely (6-19)

Hanun realized that he was in trouble, so he hired mercenaries from the surrounding nations. The most dangerous of these were the Arameans led by the famous General Shobach. Hadadezer, their king, controlled the whole region. The Israelites fought for their homes and for God's people; mercenaries fought for money. Superior numbers and better weapons could not defeat men who fought with courage, spirit and faith. Thus, David subdued the whole land.