1 Chronicles 19 2

1 Chronicles 19:2 kjv

And David said, I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.

1 Chronicles 19:2 nkjv

Then David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. And David's servants came to Hanun in the land of the people of Ammon to comfort him.

1 Chronicles 19:2 niv

David thought, "I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. When David's envoys came to Hanun in the land of the Ammonites to express sympathy to him,

1 Chronicles 19:2 esv

And David said, "I will deal kindly with Hanun the son of Nahash, for his father dealt kindly with me." So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. And David's servants came to the land of the Ammonites to Hanun to console him.

1 Chronicles 19:2 nlt

David said, "I am going to show loyalty to Hanun because his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me." So David sent messengers to express sympathy to Hanun about his father's death. But when David's ambassadors arrived in the land of Ammon,

1 Chronicles 19 verses

1 Chronicles 19 2 Meaning

First Chronicles 19:2 records King David's declaration to extend an act of kindness to Hanun, the newly crowned king of the Ammonites. David’s motivation for this diplomatic gesture stemmed from a perceived act of kindness or loyalty previously shown to him by Hanun’s deceased father, Nahash. This verse highlights David's intent to honor a past positive relationship, rooted in the principle of hesed—a steadfast love or covenant loyalty that seeks to maintain a bond even across potentially adversarial lines. It reflects David's character, acting justly and with gratitude, anticipating reciprocal good will.

1 Chronicles 19 2 Context

First Chronicles 19:2 is situated at the beginning of a critical episode in David's reign. Immediately preceding this verse (1 Chr 19:1), it is reported that Nahash, the king of Ammon, died and his son Hanun ascended the throne. This succession prompted David to act. Historically, the relationship between Israel and the Ammonites was often antagonistic, tracing back to the days of Judges and King Saul. Nahash himself had threatened Jabesh-Gilead (1 Sam 11). Therefore, David's decision to send a delegation with words of comfort and an expression of kindness was an unconventional but profound diplomatic gesture. The Chronicler emphasizes David's righteousness and wisdom in statecraft, highlighting his sincere attempt at fostering peace and demonstrating loyal hesed, which sharply contrasts with Hanun’s subsequent rash and insulting actions that led to war. This setup allows the Chronicler to underscore God’s continued faithfulness to David and Israel even when human diplomacy fails.

1 Chronicles 19 2 Word analysis

• And David said: This phrase emphasizes David's intentionality and authority in initiating this diplomatic action. It underscores that this was a deliberate royal decree.
• I will shew kindness: This translates the Hebrew phrase אֶעֱשֶׂה־חֶסֶד֙ (e'eseh-chesed).
  • אֶעֱשֶׂה (e'eseh): The verb "to do, make, perform," here in the future tense, indicating a proactive intention.
  • חֶסֶד (chesed): A profoundly significant Hebrew term. It means "lovingkindness," "mercy," "steadfast love," "covenant loyalty," "devotion," or "favor." It implies an active commitment to a relationship, a loyalty that endures and prompts beneficent action. David's choice of chesed indicates his desire to maintain a principled, loyal relationship, not merely a casual courtesy. This word carries strong theological weight, as chesed is a defining characteristic of God's relationship with His people.
• unto Hanun the son of Nahash: This precisely identifies the recipient of David's intended chesed. Hanun's identity as "son of Nahash" is crucial as it links him directly to the previous kindness. This implies a generational extension of David's gratitude.
• for his father shewed kindness to me: This phrase, כִּי־אָבִ֨יו עָשָׂה עִמִּ֥י חֶ֙סֶד֙ (ki aviv asah immi chesed), provides David's explicit reason.
  • כִּי (ki): A conjunction meaning "because" or "for," directly linking David's action to Nahash's past deed.
  • אָבִיו (aviv): "His father."
  • עָשָׂה עִמִּ֥י חֶ֙סֶד֙ (asah immi chesed): "Did kindness with me." The repetition of chesed underscores the reciprocal nature David intended. The exact nature of Nahash's kindness is not detailed in Scripture, but scholars infer it likely involved some neutrality, refuge, or even minor assistance during David's flight from Saul, or perhaps simply not joining forces with David's enemies during a critical time. Regardless, David perceived it as chesed, and felt obliged to respond in kind.
• Words-Group Analysis: The phrase "I will shew kindness... for his father shewed kindness to me" highlights David's principle of reciprocity and loyalty based on hesed. David is portrayed as a king who remembers past favors and seeks to build relationships on a foundation of ethical obligations rather than pure power politics. This reciprocal act signifies that David's rule was meant to embody the divine attributes of chesed, fostering stability through benevolence and righteous conduct.

1 Chronicles 19 2 Bonus section

The account in 1 Chronicles 19, particularly this verse, strongly aligns with the Chronicler's theological agenda. Unlike 2 Samuel 10, which reports the same event, 1 Chronicles consistently seeks to present David in a highly positive light, emphasizing his faithfulness, piety, and commitment to justice and righteousness. David's good intentions are highlighted before the tragic events unfold. This serves to justify David’s subsequent war with the Ammonites and to assure the post-exilic audience of God’s continued support for the Davidic line, reinforcing the idea that righteous kingship brings divine favor. The chesed shown by David, although rejected by Hanun, ultimately demonstrates David’s moral high ground and validates God's judgment against Hanun and the Ammonites.

1 Chronicles 19 2 Commentary

First Chronicles 19:2 provides a profound insight into David's character and the nature of godly leadership. David's initiative to send a comforting embassy to the Ammonite king, a gesture almost unprecedented given the historical animosity, reveals his commitment to peace and his understanding of reciprocal hesed. This wasn't a tactical move of weakness, but a moral obligation rooted in his remembrance of Nahash's past good will (which may have been a simple act of not pursuing David or assisting his enemies during Saul's reign). The Chronicler emphasizes David's righteousness and magnanimity, framing his actions as exemplary in accordance with divine principles. This act sets up the stark contrast with Hanun's insult, showing the consequences of failing to discern true intentions and rejecting the principle of hesed. David’s readiness to show mercy and uphold loyalty, even to those outside of Israel's direct covenant, echoes the expansive nature of God's hesed. It's a testament to leadership that prioritizes reconciliation and goodwill, demonstrating how genuine character influences international relations.