David-Conquest of Ammonite Capital

By Mary Vee

II Samuel 12

David's Thoughts

photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

The Ammonites lived on the other side of the Jordan River, land which had been conquered in Moses' time. God had commanded us to conquer the people living there and take over the land.. 

I recently reported to you about their new king, King Hanun who disgraced my men by cutting off their beards and sending them back to me with their clothes torn. These men only wanted to give King Hanun our sympathy for his father's death and did not deserve the ill treatment.

Rabbah was the capital city for the Ammonites. King Hanun lived there. Located in the mountains, the city had a strong position to fight any attacking army.

Joab, my captain, reported finding a strong citadel (a fortress protecting the city). And near the citadel he found a large underground cistern containing the city's water supply.

Our army would need to travel forty miles to get there. Not very far. To conquer Rabbah, would be to conquer the source of life for the Ammonites. 

I sent Joab and my army to take the city. This was a dangerous mission. Climbing the mountains with weapons and remaining undetected required careful commanding. 

I received word from Joab a few days later. "My lord, we have fought the people of Rabbah and conquered the land with their water supply."

This was great news! He must have crushed the citadel to get to the water.The messenger continued, "Joab also said, 'Gather the rest of the people and camp outside the city. It's yours for the taking, King David. If you don't come, I will take it for myself and call it the city of Joab.'"

Oh he is a funny one. Yes, of course I want to join the battle. I called every available man and marched to Rabbah. We fought, and with the Lord's help, successfully conquered the city. 

Joab took the king's crown from Hanun's head. It was made of pure gold and had precious stones decorating the sides. Joab delivered the crown to me and set it on my head. The army brought spoils from the city into one place. We gathered more than we could take back with us.

We then put the remaining Ammonites who were alive to work with saws, iron picks, iron axes and made them labor in the brick works.

I left a group of soldiers to guard our new workers, and took the rest of my army to all the cities belonging to the Ammonites. God blessed us with a victory in each battle.

Once we conquered all the Ammonite cities, we returned to Jerusalem. Thanks be to God for His protection and help to conquer the Ammonites. My men who had been disgraced from King Hanun have received justice.

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 20

May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble!
    May the God of Jacob protect you!
 May he send you help from his Temple
    and give you aid from Mount Zion.
 May he accept all your offerings
    and be pleased with all your sacrifices.
 May he give you what you desire
    and make all your plans succeed.
 Then we will shout for joy over your victory
    and celebrate your triumph by praising our God.
May the Lord answer all your requests.

 Now I know that the Lord gives victory to his chosen king;
    he answers him from his holy heaven
    and by his power gives him great victories.
 Some trust in their war chariots
    and others in their horses,
    but we trust in the power of the Lord our God. Such people will stumble and fall,
    but we will rise and stand firm.

 Give victory to the king, O Lord;
    answer^[ us when we call.

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Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. Who was the king of the Ammonites?

2. What cruel act did he do to the Israelites?

3. What is the name of their capital and where is it located?

4. What captain did David send.

5. Why would a battle against this Ammonite city be difficult?

6.  What did Joab's messenger say?

7. What was the result of the battle?