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2 Samuel 10 · Grade 5

May the Lord Do What Seems Good

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Read and Think

Chapter 10 begins with an act of goodwill. Nahash king of Ammon had shown kindness to David, so when Nahash died, David sent messengers to comfort his son Hanun. The Ammonite princes planted suspicion, saying David's servants had come to search the city and overthrow it.

Hanun humiliated the messengers, shaving off half of each man's beard and cutting their garments in the middle. The men were greatly ashamed, and David protected their dignity by letting them stay at Jericho until their beards grew back. Realizing they had offended David, the Ammonites hired Syrian forces from Beth Rehob, Zobah, Maacah, and Tob.

Joab faced battle on two fronts. He divided the army with his brother Abishai and agreed that whichever side was stronger would help the other. His words show courage joined with faith: be courageous, be strong for the people and for the cities of God, and may Yahweh do what seems good to him. The Syrians and Ammonites fled. When Hadadezer gathered the Syrians again, David crossed the Jordan and defeated them, and the kings who served Hadadezer made peace with Israel.

Show What You Know

  1. Why did David send messengers to Hanun?

  2. What did the Ammonite princes claim?

  3. How did David protect his messengers' dignity?

  4. What plan did Joab and Abishai agree on?

  5. What did the kings who served Hadadezer do in the end?

Crossword

42153

Across

  1. shaved off one half of their ____
  2. The son of Nahash

Down

  1. Wait at ____ until your beards have grown.
  2. They made ____ with Israel.
  3. Be courageous, and let's be ____.

Think About It

  1. Joab's words combine hard effort with trust in God's will. How can you work hard and still leave the outcome to God?

  2. Suspicion turned a kind visit into a war. How can you guard against assuming the worst about others?

Memory Verse

Be courageous, and let’s be strong for our people and for the cities of our God; and may Yahweh do what seems good to him.”

2 Samuel 10:12 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for making me strong. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What does Joab's speech teach about faith and effort?
  • How should a leader respond when kindness is rejected?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.