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Selected Verse: 2 Samuel 10:1 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
2Sa 10:1	Strong Concordance	And it came to pass after this [0310], that the king [04428] of the children [01121] of Ammon [05983] died [04191], and Hanun [02586] his son [01121] reigned [04427] in his stead.
	King James	And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.

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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
The king - In marginal reference. Nahash, king, etc. The interval between the two events, not less than 50 years, and possibly more, is against his being the same as the Nahash of Sa1 11:1-15. The Ammonites are almost always spoken of as the children of Ammon, from the name of their first ancestor Ben-ammi Gen 19:38. Hanun - The equivalent of the Carthaginian Hanno, from the same root as the Hebrew, Hananiah, Johanan, Hannah, etc. The same name appears in composition with Baal in Baal-Hanan, an Aramean king Gen 36:38-39.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

The king - In marginal reference. Nahash, king, etc. The interval between the two events, not less than 50 years, and possibly more, is against his being the same as the Nahash of Sa1 11:1-15.

The Ammonites are almost always spoken of as the children of Ammon, from the name of their first ancestor Ben-ammi Gen 19:38.

Hanun - The equivalent of the Carthaginian Hanno, from the same root as the Hebrew, Hananiah, Johanan, Hannah, etc. The same name appears in composition with Baal in Baal-Hanan, an Aramean king Gen 36:38-39.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
This war, the occasion and early success of which are described in the present chapter and the parallel passage in 1 Chron 19, was the fiercest struggle, and, so far as the Israelitish kingdom of God was concerned, the most dangerous, that it ever had to sustain during the reign of David. The amount of distress which fell upon Israel in consequence of this war, and still more because the first successful battles with the Syrians of the south were no sooner over than the Edomites invaded the land, and went about plundering and devastating, in the hope of destroying the people of God, is shown very clearly in the two psalms which date from this period (the 44th and 60th), in which a pious Korahite and David himself pour out their lamentations before the Lord on account of the distress of their nation, and pray for His assistance; and not less clearly in Ps 68, in which David foretels the victory of the God of Israel over all the hostile powers of the world. Sa2 10:1-2 Occasion of the war with the Ammonites. - Sa2 10:1. On the expression "it came to pass after this," see the remarks on Sa2 8:1. When Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead, David thought that he would show him the same kindness that Nahash had formerly shown to him. We are not told in what the love shown to David by Nahash consisted. He had most likely rendered him some assistance during the time of his flight from Saul. Nahash was no doubt the king of the Ammonites mentioned in Sa1 11:1, whom Saul had smitten at Jabesh. David therefore sent an embassy to Hanun, "to comfort him for his father," i.e., to show his sympathy with him on the occasion of his father's death, and at the same time to congratulate him upon his ascent of the throne. Sa2 10:3 On the arrival of David's ambassadors, however, the chiefs of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, "Doth David indeed honour thy father in thine eyes (i.e., dost thou really suppose that David intends to do honour to thy father), because he has sent comforters to thee? Has David not sent his servants to thee with the intention of exploring and spying out the town, and (then) destroying it?" The first question is introduced with ה, because a negative answer is expected; the second with הלוא, because it requires an affirmative reply. העיר is the capital Rabbah, a strongly fortified city (see at Sa2 11:1). The suspicion expressed by the chiefs was founded upon national hatred and enmity, which had probably been increased by David's treatment of Moab, as the subjugation and severe punishment of the Moabites (Sa2 8:2) had certainly taken place a short time before. King Hanun therefore gave credence to the suspicions expressed as to David's honourable intentions, and had his ambassadors treated in the most insulting manner. Sa2 10:4 He had the half of their beard shaved off, and their clothes cut off up to the seat, and in this state he sent them away. "The half of the beard," i.e., the beard on one side. With the value universally set upon the beard by the Hebrews and other oriental nations, as being a man's greatest ornament, (Note: "Cutting off a persons' beard is regarded by the Arabs as an indignity quite equal to flogging and branding among ourselves. Many would rather die than have their beard shaved off" (Arvieux, Sitten der Beduinen-araber). Niebuhr relates a similar occurrence as having taken place in modern times. In the years 1764, a pretender to the Persian throne, named Kerim Khan, sent ambassadors to Mir Mahenna, the prince of Bendervigk, on the Persian Gulf, to demand tribute from him; but he in return cut off the ambassadors' beards. Kerim Khan was so enraged at this, that he went the next year with a large army to make war upon this prince, and took the city, and almost the whole of his territory, to avenge the insult.) the cutting off of one-half of it was the greatest insult that could have been offered to the ambassadors, and through them to David their king. The insult was still further increased by cutting off the long dress which covered the body; so that as the ancient Israelites wore no trousers, the lower half of the body was quite exposed. מדויהם .deso, from מדוּ or מדוה, the long robe reaching down to the feet, from the root מדה = מדד, to stretch, spread out, or measure. Sa2 10:5 When David received information of the insults that had been heaped upon his ambassadors, he sent messengers to meet them, and direct them to remain in Jericho until their beard had grown again, that he might not have to set his eyes upon the insult they had received.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

This war, the occasion and early success of which are described in the present chapter and the parallel passage in 1 Chron 19, was the fiercest struggle, and, so far as the Israelitish kingdom of God was concerned, the most dangerous, that it ever had to sustain during the reign of David. The amount of distress which fell upon Israel in consequence of this war, and still more because the first successful battles with the Syrians of the south were no sooner over than the Edomites invaded the land, and went about plundering and devastating, in the hope of destroying the people of God, is shown very clearly in the two psalms which date from this period (the 44th and 60th), in which a pious Korahite and David himself pour out their lamentations before the Lord on account of the distress of their nation, and pray for His assistance; and not less clearly in Ps 68, in which David foretels the victory of the God of Israel over all the hostile powers of the world.

Sa2 10:1-2

Occasion of the war with the Ammonites. - Sa2 10:1. On the expression "it came to pass after this," see the remarks on Sa2 8:1. When Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead, David thought that he would show him the same kindness that Nahash had formerly shown to him. We are not told in what the love shown to David by Nahash consisted. He had most likely rendered him some assistance during the time of his flight from Saul. Nahash was no doubt the king of the Ammonites mentioned in Sa1 11:1, whom Saul had smitten at Jabesh. David therefore sent an embassy to Hanun, "to comfort him for his father," i.e., to show his sympathy with him on the occasion of his father's death, and at the same time to congratulate him upon his ascent of the throne.

Sa2 10:3

On the arrival of David's ambassadors, however, the chiefs of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, "Doth David indeed honour thy father in thine eyes (i.e., dost thou really suppose that David intends to do honour to thy father), because he has sent comforters to thee? Has David not sent his servants to thee with the intention of exploring and spying out the town, and (then) destroying it?" The first question is introduced with ה, because a negative answer is expected; the second with הלוא, because it requires an affirmative reply. העיר is the capital Rabbah, a strongly fortified city (see at Sa2 11:1). The suspicion expressed by the chiefs was founded upon national hatred and enmity, which had probably been increased by David's treatment of Moab, as the subjugation and severe punishment of the Moabites (Sa2 8:2) had certainly taken place a short time before. King Hanun therefore gave credence to the suspicions expressed as to David's honourable intentions, and had his ambassadors treated in the most insulting manner.

Sa2 10:4

He had the half of their beard shaved off, and their clothes cut off up to the seat, and in this state he sent them away. "The half of the beard," i.e., the beard on one side. With the value universally set upon the beard by the Hebrews and other oriental nations, as being a man's greatest ornament,

(Note: "Cutting off a persons' beard is regarded by the Arabs as an indignity quite equal to flogging and branding among ourselves. Many would rather die than have their beard shaved off" (Arvieux, Sitten der Beduinen-araber). Niebuhr relates a similar occurrence as having taken place in modern times. In the years 1764, a pretender to the Persian throne, named Kerim Khan, sent ambassadors to Mir Mahenna, the prince of Bendervigk, on the Persian Gulf, to demand tribute from him; but he in return cut off the ambassadors' beards. Kerim Khan was so enraged at this, that he went the next year with a large army to make war upon this prince, and took the city, and almost the whole of his territory, to avenge the insult.)

the cutting off of one-half of it was the greatest insult that could have been offered to the ambassadors, and through them to David their king. The insult was still further increased by cutting off the long dress which covered the body; so that as the ancient Israelites wore no trousers, the lower half of the body was quite exposed. מדויהם .deso, from מדוּ or מדוה, the long robe reaching down to the feet, from the root מדה = מדד, to stretch, spread out, or measure.

Sa2 10:5

When David received information of the insults that had been heaped upon his ambassadors, he sent messengers to meet them, and direct them to remain in Jericho until their beard had grown again, that he might not have to set his eyes upon the insult they had received.

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³⁸ And Saul [07586] died [04191], and Baalhanan [01177] the son [01121] of Achbor [05907] reigned [04427] in his stead.
³⁹ And Baalhanan [01177] the son [01121] of Achbor [05907] died [04191], and Hadar [01924] reigned [04427] in his stead: and the name [08034] of his city [05892] was Pau [06464]; and his wife's [0802] name [08034] was Mehetabel [04105], the daughter [01323] of Matred [04308], the daughter [01323] of Mezahab [04314].

³⁸ And the younger [06810], she also bare [03205] a son [01121], and called [07121] his name [08034] Benammi [01151]: the same is the father [01] of the children [01121] of Ammon [05983] unto this day [03117].

¹ Then Nahash [05176] the Ammonite [05984] came up [05927], and encamped [02583] against Jabeshgilead [03003] [01568]: and all the men [0582] of Jabesh [03003] said [0559] unto Nahash [05176], Make [03772] a covenant [01285] with us, and we will serve [05647] thee.
² And Nahash [05176] the Ammonite [05984] answered [0559] them, On this [02063] condition will I make [03772] a covenant with you, that I may thrust out [05365] all your right [03225] eyes [05869], and lay [07760] it for a reproach [02781] upon all Israel [03478].
³ And the elders [02205] of Jabesh [03003] said [0559] unto him, Give us seven [07651] days [03117]' respite [07503], that we may send [07971] messengers [04397] unto all the coasts [01366] of Israel [03478]: and then, if there be no man to save [03467] us, we will come out [03318] to thee.
⁴ Then came [0935] the messengers [04397] to Gibeah [01390] of Saul [07586], and told [01696] the tidings [01697] in the ears [0241] of the people [05971]: and all the people [05971] lifted up [05375] their voices [06963], and wept [01058].
⁵ And, behold, Saul [07586] came [0935] after [0310] the herd [01241] out of the field [07704]; and Saul [07586] said [0559], What aileth the people [05971] that they weep [01058]? And they told [05608] him the tidings [01697] of the men [0582] of Jabesh [03003].
⁶ And the Spirit [07307] of God [0430] came [06743] upon Saul [07586] when he heard [08085] those tidings [01697], and his anger [0639] was kindled [02734] greatly [03966].
⁷ And he took [03947] a yoke [06776] of oxen [01241], and hewed them in pieces [05408], and sent [07971] them throughout all the coasts [01366] of Israel [03478] by the hands [03027] of messengers [04397], saying [0559], Whosoever cometh not forth [03318] after [0310] Saul [07586] and after [0310] Samuel [08050], so shall it be done [06213] unto his oxen [01241]. And the fear [06343] of the LORD [03068] fell [05307] on the people [05971], and they came out [03318] with one [0259] consent [0376].
⁸ And when he numbered [06485] them in Bezek [0966], the children [01121] of Israel [03478] were three [07969] hundred [03967] thousand [0505], and the men [0376] of Judah [03063] thirty [07970] thousand [0505].
⁹ And they said [0559] unto the messengers [04397] that came [0935], Thus shall ye say [0559] unto the men [0376] of Jabeshgilead [03003] [01568], To morrow [04279], by that time the sun [08121] be hot [02527], ye shall have help [08668]. And the messengers [04397] came [0935] and shewed [05046] it to the men [0582] of Jabesh [03003]; and they were glad [08055].
¹⁰ Therefore the men [0582] of Jabesh [03003] said [0559], To morrow [04279] we will come out [03318] unto you, and ye shall do [06213] with us all that seemeth [05869] good [02896] unto you.
¹¹ And it was so on the morrow [04283], that Saul [07586] put [07760] the people [05971] in three [07969] companies [07218]; and they came [0935] into the midst [08432] of the host [04264] in the morning [01242] watch [0821], and slew [05221] the Ammonites [05983] until the heat [02527] of the day [03117]: and it came to pass, that they which remained [07604] were scattered [06327], so that two [08147] of them were not left [07604] together [03162].
¹² And the people [05971] said [0559] unto Samuel [08050], Who is he that said [0559], Shall Saul [07586] reign [04427] over us? bring [05414] the men [0582], that we may put them to death [04191].
¹³ And Saul [07586] said [0559], There shall not a man [0376] be put to death [04191] this day [03117]: for to day [03117] the LORD [03068] hath wrought [06213] salvation [08668] in Israel [03478].
¹⁴ Then said [0559] Samuel [08050] to the people [05971], Come [03212], and let us go [03212] to Gilgal [01537], and renew [02318] the kingdom [04410] there.
¹⁵ And all the people [05971] went [03212] to Gilgal [01537]; and there they made Saul [07586] king [04427] before [06440] the LORD [03068] in Gilgal [01537]; and there they sacrificed [02076] sacrifices [02077] of peace offerings [08002] before [06440] the LORD [03068]; and there Saul [07586] and all the men [0582] of Israel [03478] rejoiced [08055] greatly [03966].

⁵ When they told [05046] it unto David [01732], he sent [07971] to meet [07125] them, because the men [0582] were greatly [03966] ashamed [03637]: and the king [04428] said [0559], Tarry [03427] at Jericho [03405] until your beards [02206] be grown [06779], and then return [07725].

⁴ Wherefore Hanun [02586] took [03947] David's [01732] servants [05650], and shaved off [01548] the one half [02677] of their beards [02206], and cut off [03772] their garments [04063] in the middle [02677], even to their buttocks [08357], and sent them away [07971].

² And he smote [05221] Moab [04124], and measured [04058] them with a line [02256], casting them down [07901] to the ground [0776]; even with two [08147] lines [02256] measured [04058] he to put to death [04191], and with one full [04393] line [02256] to keep alive [02421]. And so the Moabites [04124] became David's [01732] servants [05650], and brought [05375] gifts [04503].

¹ And it came to pass, after the year [08141] was expired [08666], at the time [06256] when kings [04428] [04397] go forth [03318] to battle, that David [01732] sent [07971] Joab [03097], and his servants [05650] with him, and all Israel [03478]; and they destroyed [07843] the children [01121] of Ammon [05983], and besieged [06696] Rabbah [07237]. But David [01732] tarried still [03427] at Jerusalem [03389].

³ And the princes [08269] of the children [01121] of Ammon [05983] said [0559] unto Hanun [02586] their lord [0113], Thinkest [05869] thou that David [01732] doth honour [03513] thy father [01], that he hath sent [07971] comforters [05162] unto thee? hath not David [01732] rather sent [07971] his servants [05650] unto thee, to [05668] search [02713] the city [05892], and to spy it out [07270], and to overthrow [02015] it?

¹ And after [0310] this it came to pass, that David [01732] smote [05221] the Philistines [06430], and subdued [03665] them: and David [01732] took [03947] Methegammah [04965] out of the hand [03027] of the Philistines [06430].

¹ And it came to pass after this [0310], that the king [04428] of the children [01121] of Ammon [05983] died [04191], and Hanun [02586] his son [01121] reigned [04427] in his stead.

¹ And it came to pass after this [0310], that the king [04428] of the children [01121] of Ammon [05983] died [04191], and Hanun [02586] his son [01121] reigned [04427] in his stead.
² Then said [0559] David [01732], I will shew [06213] kindness [02617] unto Hanun [02586] the son [01121] of Nahash [05176], as his father [01] shewed [06213] kindness [02617] unto me. And David [01732] sent [07971] to comfort [05162] him by the hand [03027] of his servants [05650] for his father [01]. And David's [01732] servants [05650] came [0935] into the land [0776] of the children [01121] of Ammon [05983].