“King Hanun, there are emissaries here to see you.”
“Emissaries? From where? From whom?”
“From Israel, your majesty. King David sent them here to express his condolences over the recent death of your father.”
“How very kind! They are most welcome in my kingdom! Show them in.”
“No, wait,” an advisor to the king interrupted. “These men are not here to express condolences. That is only a ruse. David has actually sent them here as spies.”
“Do you think so?”
“I’m sure of it.”
“Then what do you recommend we do?”
“Well, we certainly should not welcome them so openly or so warmly.”
“Indeed!”
“No, let us instead teach them a lesson. We will prove to David and to them that they didn’t fool us.”
“Yes!”
“We needn’t harm them. We should simply show them that we see through their plan. We should embarrass them, and…