Reading for May 7th

 Read 2 Samuel 10.1-19. In 10.1-19: Ammonite war. In verse 2; Nahash was Saul's enemy in 1 Sam 10.27b-11.15. He and David had a treaty. Hanuri's actions here indicate that Israel was the superior partner in the treaty or that David was trying to make Israel the superior partner. In verse 4: Hanuri's treatment of the envoys is symbolic emasculation. The beard was a symbol of masculinity. cutting off their garments below the waist was a symbolic castration. In verse 5; Jericho was the closest Israelite city west of the Jordan opposite Ammon, In verse 6; Beth-rehob and Zobah were Aramean (Syrian) city-states. The word for thousand may refer to a much smaller military unit. Maacah and Tob were states in northern Palestine east of the Jordan. In verse 9: Joab made a tactical mistake that led to having enemies on two opposing sides. In verse 12: Joab encouraged his men to fight for the cities that Israel claimed east of the Jordan. Comments or Questions..