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Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 10:4

4. Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards—From the long flowing dress of the Hebrews and other Orientals, the curtailment of their garments must have given them an aspect of gross indelicacy and ludicrousness. Besides, a knowledge of the extraordinary respect and value which has always been attached, and the gross insult that is implied in any indignity offered, to the beard in the East, will account for the shame which the deputies felt, and the determined... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 10:5

5. Tarry at Jericho—or in the neighborhood, after crossing the fords of the Jordan. :-. THE AMMONITES OVERCOME. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Samuel 10:1-19

B. God’s Faithfulness despite David’s Unfaithfulness chs. 10-12These chapters form a sub-section within the Court History portion of 2 Samuel. [Note: Youngblood, p. 920.] The phrase "Now it happened" or "Now it was" (2 Samuel 10:1; 2 Samuel 13:1) always opens a new section. [Note: Wolfgang Roth, "You Are the Man! Structural Interaction in 2 Samuel 10-12." Semeia 8 (1977):4; John I. Lawlor, "Theology and Art in the Narrative of the Ammonite War (2 Samuel 10-12)," Grace Theological Journal 3:2... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 10:1-19

The War with Ammon and Syria2. His father shewed kindness unto me] Occasion not stated. 3. The city] i.e. their capital, Rabbah. The Ammonites probably were thinking of the severity with which David had treated the neighbouring Moabites (2 Samuel 8:2).4. Shaving the beard is the greatest insult that can be offered to an Oriental. The Arabs regard it as we should regard flogging or branding.6. Hired] cp. 1 Kings 15:18-20. Beth-rehob] near Laish or Dan (Judges 18:28). King Maacah] RV ’the king of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 10:3

(3) To search the city.—The capital, and almost the only city of the Ammonites was Rabbah; it was strongly fortified, and a knowledge of its interior would be important to an enemy. The suspicions of the Ammonites may have been roused by David’s growing power, and especially by his conquest of the neighbouring Moabites. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 10:4

(4) Shaved off the one half of their beards.—According to Oriental ideas, the extremest insult which could have been inflicted. “Cutting off a person’s 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, quoted by Keil). It is remarkable that in none of David’s wars does he appear as the aggressor. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 10:5

(5) Tarry at Jericho.—In consideration for his mortified ambassadors, David directs them to remain at Jericho, which lay directly on their road. Jericho had been destroyed on the first entrance of the Israelites into Canaan, and a solemn curse pronounced upon whoever “riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho.” This curse fell upon Hiel, more than a century after the time of David (1 Kings 16:34). But “buildeth” is here, as often, to be understood of “fortifying”; and Jericho, under the name of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Samuel 10:1-19

Play the Man 2 Samuel 10:12 What is it to play the man? It is: I. To Take Things Seriously Of Louis XV of France it was said that, being wholly occupied with his amusements, he had not an hour in the day for important matters; while the best that could be said of our own King Charles II was that he was a 'merry monarch'. There was no true manhood there, to say nothing of royal dignity. II. Cheerful Courage. But along with this seriousness, this clear and frank recognition of things as they... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:1-19

CHAPTER XIII.DAVID AND HANUN.2 Samuel 10:1-19.POWERFUL though David had proved himself in every direction in the art of war, his heart was inclined to peace. A king who had been victorious over so many foes had no occasion to be afraid of a people like the Ammonites. It could not have been from fear therefore that, when Nahash the king of the Ammonites died, David resolved to send a friendly message to his son. Not the least doubt can be thrown on the statement of the history that what moved... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Samuel 10:1-19

7. The War with Ammon and the Syrians CHAPTER 10 1. David and Hanun (2 Samuel 10:1-5 ) 2. Ammon and the Syrians smitten (2 Samuel 10:6-19 ) The chapter with the war against Ammon and the Syrians is the prelude to the great sin of David. While Joab is carrying on the siege of Rabbah, the last city of the Ammonites, David, no doubt flushed with the great victory and prosperity, remained in his house and committed his awful sin. The war with Ammon originated through the insults which Hanun... read more

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