ed.
Therefore Hanun had not only done an insolent, and utterly blackguard
trick, but he had gone against one of the first laws of nations. What
he ought to have done, was at once to send to David a most humble
apology, with an acknowledgment that he had acted wrongly. But he was
too proud for this. He would not admit that he had erred. He at once
sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba,
twenty thousand foot soldiers, and of King Maacah a thousand men, and
of Ish-tob twelve thousand men, so that this malicious trick began to
shew that it was an expensive one. Then David's army drew up in array
against this army of Ammon and their hired allies, and at once, all the
mercenaries ran away. So then there was nothing for it but for the
Ammonites to return as quickly as possible within the walls of their
city. Now, what should Hanun have done? It was clear that David was
not eager to punish him, for he had not even sent his army against
Ammon till Hanun had collected the great host against him, and as soon
as the Ammonites, deserted by their auxiliaries, had retired within
their walls, the army of David had not pressed them, but gone quietly
back to Jerusalem. What then ought Hanun to have done? Of course, he
should now have sent his apology, and said how wrongly he had acted,
how ashamed of himself he was, and how desirous he was to have the past
forgotten. But no, having done wrong once, his pride would not let him
acknowledge it, and he went on. He now engaged Hadarezar, King of the
Syrians, and this time there was a great battle, and David slew of the
Syrians seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote
the captain of their host, so that he was left dead on the field, and
all the Syrians who could escape ran away for their lives. Then
Hadarezer had had quite enough of fighting against Israel, and he made
peace with David, and "So the Syrians feared to help the children of
Ammon any more." Now the Ammonites were left completely without
auxiliaries. What chance was there for them? Still David did not
press them. A whole year passed, and he made no move. He was waiting
for an apology. But no. That headstrong Hanun was still too proud to
make it. He would die with all his people rather than say he had done
wrong. So, at the end of a year, David sent his army against the
Ammonites, and destroyed them utterly. He killed Hanun, and took away
his crown, and plundered