NOTES for Ch1 19:1-19

Diplomatic etiquette has had its own features in every age. In our day it is customary to express condolences on the death of a head of state, if, of course, normal relations are maintained with that state. Refusal of diplomatic protocol in this case is close to announcing a break in diplomatic relations: in such a case, the next step in our day is already the recall of ambassadors.

Something similar was practiced in antiquity as well. But the ancient world did not know embassies in the modern sense. An embassy then meant not a diplomatic mission, as in our day, but a government delegation sent to this or that country with particular powers. David sends such an embassy to the ruler of a small neighboring state in order to express official condolences to him on the death of his father, as was customary in those times between good neighbors.

It happened, however, that cases of this sort were used to establish or strengthen relations, and sometimes to test the ground for establishing them. Apparently David's relations with his neighbor were tense, and David decided to use the occasion to reduce the tension. Now everything depended on his neighbor. By his attitude toward those sent, he could express his attitude toward David himself. Diplomatic etiquette, however, required at least minimal respect for members of official embassies, unless, of course, the question was a declaration of war.

Minimal respect in turn presupposed a certain etiquette. Its absence, or clearly contemptuous actions toward members of an embassy, meant a break in relations, which could be followed by a declaration of war: such contempt was equivalent to an attack on a diplomatic mission in the modern world. Meanwhile David's neighbor chose exactly this option, which led to the corresponding consequences, extremely unpleasant for him. David as a ruler was not aggressive, but when he had to fight, he always acted quickly and decisively.