Responses to Disrespect.
David showed kindness to the son of a man he had respected. The man he respected was Nahash, king of the Ammonites. Nahash had shown David kindness. David sent a noble delegation to pay his respects when Nahash died (1,2).
Nahash’s son, Hanun, did not return the respect with kindness. Instead, he insulted David and David’s friends. He shaved David’s friends, cut off their garments in the middle at the buttocks, and sent them away in shame (4). Then he prepared to go to war against David (6-7).
I have been disrespected several times in my life. At times I have been like David and had my kindness returned with insult and injury. Several emotions spring from insult and disrespect: sadness and anger. Several thoughts spring too: doubt, blame, and confusion. The emotions and thoughts vary depending on who inflicted insult and disrespect.
Thoughts and emotions drive reactions and actions. Suppressing responses to insult and disrespect is not wise. That only delays the response, and the suppression often results in an improper response.
Returning an insult with an insult is just as destructive as suppressing the response. Returning insult to insult ends in casualties and heightened negative emotions and thoughts.
Jesus taught how to deal with insult and disrespect and the emotions and thoughts that go with them. Jesus said, “If someone stricks you on the cheek, turn to them the other cheek.” So, when I show kindness to someone, and they return the kindness with insult and disrespect, I am to show them kindness. Wow. Lord, change my character to be like yours.
