1. The disaster of spurned kindness (1-7)
David sent a delegation to the funeral of Nahash king of the Ammonites, since Nahash had been kind to David. But Nahash's son Hanun didn't trust David's motives; he became political and humiliated David's delegation. This small misunderstanding led to war. We must not judge the motives of God's people but accept their kindness and return it with kindness.
2. Let's fight bravely for God (8-19)
The Ammonites spent much money on Aramean reinforcements. But it didn't help. Joab made a strategy with his brother Abishai: "If my enemies are too strong, rescue me; if yours are too strong I'll rescue you. Let's fight bravely for God. The LORD will do what is good." First, the Arameans, then, the Ammonites fled. Before making peace with David, 47,000 Arameans were killed. It's too bad that peace had not come earlier.