David's Messengers and the War with Ammon

After the king of Ammon died, his son Hanun became king. David wanted to show kindness to Hanun because Hanun’s father had shown kindness to him. So David sent his servants to comfort Hanun after his father’s death.

But the Ammonite princes told Hanun not to trust these visitors. They said David’s servants had really come to search out the land and spy on it. Hanun listened to them. He humiliated David’s servants by shaving off half their beards and cutting their clothes in the middle, then sending them away.

When David heard what had happened, he knew the men were deeply ashamed. He sent word for them to stay at Jericho until their beards had grown again, and then return. Meanwhile the Ammonites realised they had made themselves odious to David, so they hired Aramean forces to help them.

David sent Joab and the army. The Ammonites stood at the city gate, while their allies were out in the open field. Seeing enemies in front and behind, Joab divided the army with Abishai. He told his brother to help if the fighting grew too strong, and said they should be brave for their people and the cities of their God, while leaving the outcome with the Lord.

Joab attacked, and the Arameans fled. When the Ammonites saw that, they also ran back into the city. Later the Arameans gathered again, and David led all Israel across the Jordan to fight them. Israel defeated them, their army commander was killed, and those serving Hadadezer made peace with Israel. After that, the Arameans were afraid to help Ammon any more. How did suspicion turn an act of kindness into a larger conflict?