DAWN
Daily Arts Web Nucleus
Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links 2014 July 15
Jean de Dinteville and Georges de Selve ('The Ambassadors') - (1533)
Hans Holbein the Younger (c. 1497 - 1543)
Northern Renaissance Style
National Gallery, London, England, United Kingdom
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art
Explanation: The painting above depicts the dignity of ambassadors. It was against the dignity of the ambassadors from Israel that Hanun of Ammon struck a blow (as related below), thereby repudiating them, their nation, and their king, David.
2 Samuel 10 describes David's battle against the Syrians and the Ammonites. The war began when David sent ambassadors to Hanun of Ammon to comfort him after the death of his father, Nahash, who had been kind to David. The kindness is not recorded in Scripture. Some speculate that it was some benefit -- perhaps refuge for David or some member(s) of his family -- during his struggle with Saul. And it seems that there was a family connection through Joab, David's nephew -- 2 Samuel 17:25. However, in spite of this goodwill on David's part, Hanun's advisors accused the ambassadors of being spies; and Hanun shaved off half their beards, cut off their garments in the middle, exposing their buttocks, and sent them home in disgrace. David had the ambassadors tarry in Jericho until their beards were regrown (1-5). In a further act of provocation, the Ammonites then hired Syrians to come and fight against David. In response, David sent Joab against the Ammonites and Syrians (6-8). The Ammonites and Syrians gathered before and behind Joab; so Joab went against the Syrian camp; and he sent Abishai his brother against the Ammonites, with instructions that the brothers would come to the aid of one other if necessary. But mutual help was not necessary. Joab routed the Syrians; and Abishai routed the Ammonites (9-14). The Syrians sent a message to their king, Hadarezer, asking for reinforcements from their land. The reinforcements were met and defeated by David. Afterward, all the kings who were servants to Hadarezer made peace with Israel and became David's servants. And the Syrians were afraid to help the Ammonites any more (15-19).
2 Samuel 10
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 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of 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 unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.
7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
9 When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.
19 And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
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