Scroll to the bottom for thoughts/discussion questions!
One-sentence summary: David attempts to "extend an olive branch" to the Ammonites for showing him kindness in the past, but they react by going to war with Israel and are defeated, along with the nations who help them.
The king of Amon dies, and David says he will show kindness to his son, since the king had showed kindness to him, so he sends servants. The princes of Amon say to the son, "Do you think David really honors your father because he sent servants?" They say that he has really sent them to spy the land and overthrow the city. So, the prince dishonors the servants by cutting off half their beards and cutting their garments to expose their backsides. When they tell David, they are greatly ashamed, and he tells them to wait in Jericho until their beards have regrown and then to return. Then, Amon hires some men from other cities because they realize they are "repulsive" in the eyes of Israel. David sends his mighty men, and they go to war. Joab encourages the people, so he and his men draw near for battle, and the peoples flee before them. Then, he returns to Jerusalem. The Syrians gather together after their defeat, and David is told, and gathers all Israel, and they fight, and again, they flee before Israel. And the Syrians are afraid to help the Ammonites any more.
The same tory is told in both chapters.
Thoughts/discussion questions:
Who we "yoke" ourselves up with matters!