Shmuel | Samuel

It happened after this that the king of the Children of Ammon died, and his son Hanun reigned after him.
10:1
David thought, “I shall do an act of kindness for Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father acted with kindness for me.” So David sent [a message] to him by the hand of his servants to console him over his father; David’s servants arrived in the land of the Children of Ammon.
10:2
The ministers of the Children of Ammon said to their master Hanun, “Do you think that David has sent consolers to you to honor your father in your eyes? Is it not in order to explore the city, to spy it out and to overthrow it that David has sent his servants to you?”
10:3
So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half of their beards and cut their garments in half until their buttocks, and sent them away.
:4
The Children of Ammon realized that they had become repugnant to David, so the Children of Ammon sent and hired [from] Aram of Beth-rehob and Aram of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen; and [from] the king of Maacah, a thousand me; and [from] Ish-tob, twelve thousand men.
:6
David heard and he dispatched and waged war at the opening of the gateway, while Aram of Zoba and Rehob, and Ish-tob, and Maacah were in the field by themselves.
:8
Be strong and let us both be strong, for the sake of our people and for the sake of the cities of our God; and Hashem will do what is good in His eyes.”
:12
When all the kings, the subjects of Hadarezer, saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subservient to them. Aram became afraid to help the Children of Ammon any longer.
:19

Daily Holy Bible Reading

1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
2 And David said: “I shall show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, just as his father showed me kindness. And David sent to comfort him through his servants, for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord: “Do you think that David honors your father that he sent you comforters? Is it not in order to investigate the city and to spy it out, and to search it that David has sent his servants to you?”
4 And Hanun took David’s servants and he shaved off a half of their beards, and he cut off their garments in half up to their buttocks, and he sent them away.
5 And they told it to David; and he sent to meet them; for the men were very much ashamed. And the king said: ‘Remain seated in Jericho until your beards grow, and then you shall return.’
6 And the children of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David; and the children of Ammon sent and hired [of] the Arameans of Beth-rehob, and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand footsoldiers, and [of] the king of Maacah, a thousand men, and [of] Ish-tov, twelve thousand men.
7 And David heard [of it], and he sent Joab, and the entire host of the mighty warriors.
8 And the children of Ammon came out, and they prepared the battle at the entrance of the gate; and the Arameans of Zobah, and Rehob, and Ish-tov, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
9 And Joab saw that the battle front was before and behind him: and he chose of all the choice [men] of Israel and he sent them against the Arameans.
10 And the rest of the people he gave over to Abishai his brother, and he set (them) against the children of Ammon.
11 And he said: “If the Arameans will be too strong for me, then you shall help me, and if the children of Ammon will be too strong for you, then I shall go to your aid.
12 Be strong, and let us strengthen ourselves on behalf of our people, and on behalf of the cities of our God: and [then] may God do what is good in his eyes.”
13 And Joab and the people that were with him drew forward to do battle against the Arameans, and they fled before him.
14 And [when] the children of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, then they [likewise] fled from before Abishai, and they came to the city. And Joab returned from the children of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.
15 And the Arameans saw that they were smitten before Israel, and they gathered themselves together.
16 And Hadadezer sent, and brought out the Arameans that were from beyond the River; and they came to Helam, and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadadezer, before them.
17 And it was told to David; and he gathered together all Israel, and he crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Arameans set themselves against David, and fought with him.
18 And the Arameans fled before Israel; and David slew of the Arameans, seven hundred chariots, and forty-thousand horsemen, and Shobach the captain of his host he smote, and he died there.
19 And all the kings, the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, and they made peace with Israel and served them. And the Arameans feared to aid the children of Ammon any more.

Exposé | Moral

Slander

When you without a second thought believe was is negatively told about others or yourself, the consequence as a result is dire!

Learn from this chapter how David was slandered by the ministers of Ammon

But regardless of who said it, give the benefit of doubt before believing or taking matters into your own hands.