When we come to Second Samuel Chapter 8, there's an
interesting thing that happens. David defeats the Moabites, who had previously
given sanctuary to his parents. But once he defeats them in the battle, because
evidently something changed, he made them lie on the ground, measured them
off of the cord, and cut off two lengths of them, putting two-thirds to death
and one-third were left alive. The reason this happened was not clear.
According to tradition, the Moabites turned against David, or maybe a portion
of the Moabites turned together against David. According to tradition, David's
parents were killed. Possibly, this is why David took such actions against
captured soldiers. By the way, having people who had committed horrible crimes lie
down to be killed was a cultural thing in the East. Typically, it was not seen
in the people of God, but here it seems David did it. Again, we're not
explained why in the Bible, but tradition seems to say David was correct. Or at
least it seems to be.
At the end of the day, we should always do to others
as God would have us, not according to the cultures of the day, or because of
anger or vengeance. But that's a subject for another day.
Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash
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