Really?

OK, what the Ammonites did was pretty mean, but did both countries need to make war over it?

The Nahash king of Ammon died and his son took over. Apparently Nahash had shown kindness to David, so David being the kindhearted guy that he was sent some of his servants over with messages of comfort for Hanun, Nahash's son and the new king. However, some rather distrusting princes of Ammon told convinced Hanun that David was actually sending spies to search out the land.

So . . . brilliant Hanun goes and shaves the Israelites beards (which was a shameful thing I believe . . . not sure about the significance there) and turns each man's garment into more of a hospital robe . . . complete with an exposed gluteus maximus!

Understandably the men were pretty embarrassed.

Understandably David was pretty angry. When the Ammonites saw that they'd turned his concern in to repulsion they freaked and called on the Syrians to help them fight the Israelites. Even though the Israelites had not declared war on them or even suited up. Well, the Israelite's did suit up at the word that everyone else was ready for battle. But thankfully they called on God for help and beat both armies. And FINALLY, the Ammonites made peace. The Syrians also refused to help the Ammonites anymore after getting whipped by David's army.

So . . . the Ammonites snubbed David's kindness, then made war against him because they feared retaliation, then finally signed a peace treaty which made them his servants. If they'd just excepted his kindness they could have become allies and remained free.

Peace people, peace.