2 Samuel 10:2-5 NIV

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:4

Away, having forced them as it were to go into mourning for the deceased king. These nations adopted the same customs as the Hebrews: they cut their hair, and rent their garments, to express their deep affliction, Isaias xv. 2. The Arabs would deem it a great insult, and a piece of irreligion, to shave their beard. (Darvieux vii. p. 175.) Plutarch (Agesil) observes, that the Lacedemonians obliged those who acted in a cowardly manner in war, to wear only one wisker: and Herodotus (ii. 121,)... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 10:1-5

1-5 Nahash had been an enemy to Israel, yet had showed kindness to David. David therefore resolves gratefully to return it. If a Pharisee gives alms in pride, though God will not reward it, yet he that receives the alms ought to return thanks for it. Those who bear ill-will to their neighbours, are resolved not to believe that their neighbours bear any good-will to them. There is nothing so well meant, but it may be ill interpreted, and is wont to be so, by men who love nobody but themselves.... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 2 Samuel 10:1-5

David's Servants Shamefully Treated v. 1. And it came to pass after this that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun, his son, reigned in his stead. v. 2. Then said David, I will show kindness unto Hanun, the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness unto me. Nahash had been defeated by Saul at Jabesh, 1 Samuel 11, but had maintained a friendly attitude toward David, probably also by rendering him some form of assistance during the years of his persecution. And David sent to... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 2 Samuel 10:1-19

IV. The Ammonite-Syrian War2 Samuel 10:1-191And it came to pass after this that the king1 of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. 2Then said David [And David said], I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. 3And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord,... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 2 Samuel 10:1-19

the Penalty of Rejecting Kindness 2 Samuel 10:1-19 A Jewish tradition tells us that Nahash, Hanun’s father, had shown kindness to David by sheltering one of his brothers, when the king of Moab treacherously massacred the rest of the family. Civility is the daughter of Piety. The son had inherited his father’s throne but not his spirit. He was misled by foolish advisers to offer a gross insult, not only to the ambassadors, but to the king and nation whom they represented. Let us, however,... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 10:1-19

Here we have the record of victories over Ammon and Syria. So far as David is concerned it is interesting in revealing the same spirit of good will in David in his attempt to show kindness to Hanum, and the same elements of strength as a warrior as he led the hosts of Israel against the forces of Syria, and defeated them. Joab appears once more in all the rugged and terrible strength of his nature. It is interesting to observe that in his arrangements he made no allowance for the possibility... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 10:1-5

David’s Victory Over Ammon And Their Aramaean Allies (2 Samuel 10:1-19 ). The greatest threat to Israel at this time, with both Egypt and Mesopotamia in a weak condition, was a burgeoning Aramaean empire to his immediate north (2 Samuel 8:3). This was something that Saul had had to combat in its infancy (1 Samuel 14:47), and it would appear that it was now stirring up some of the minor Transjordanian powers (note the connection of Zobah with the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites in 1 Samuel... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 10:1-19

2 Samuel 10. War with the Ammonites and the Syrians (J). 2 Samuel 10:1-Deuteronomy : . The king of Ammon insults David’ s ambassadors. [J. G. Frazer ( Taboo and the Perils of the Soul, p. 273) connects Hanun’ s action with the well-known belief that to get possession of the hair of a person is to have him in one’ s power. He supposes that Hanun, distrusting David’ s designs and desirous to have some guarantee of peace, thought he secured this by retaining half the beards and garments He... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 10:2

Therefore there had hitherto been peace and friendship between David and him; and therefore the spoils of the children of Ammon are mentioned 2 Samuel 8:12, by way of anticipation, and with respect to the story here following. As his father showed kindness unto me; which he might do either by offering him his help, if he needed it; or by supplying him with military or other provisions upon occasion, or many other ways. read more