1 Chronicles 19 5

1 Chronicles 19:5 kjv

Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

1 Chronicles 19:5 nkjv

Then some went and told David about the men; and he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, "Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return."

1 Chronicles 19:5 niv

When someone came and told David about the men, he sent messengers to meet them, for they were greatly humiliated. The king said, "Stay at Jericho till your beards have grown, and then come back."

1 Chronicles 19:5 esv

and they departed. When David was told concerning the men, he sent messengers to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, "Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return."

1 Chronicles 19:5 nlt

When David heard what had happened to the men, he sent messengers to tell them, "Stay at Jericho until your beards grow out, and then come back." For they felt deep shame because of their appearance.

1 Chronicles 19 verses

1 Chronicles 19 5 Meaning

This verse describes King David's compassionate and wise response to his ambassadors, who had been brutally humiliated by the Ammonite king Hanun. Realizing their severe shame, David immediately dispatched help and instructed them to remain in Jericho until their dignity was symbolically restored by the growth of their beards, at which point they could return to the capital. It underscores the king's empathy and concern for the honor and well-being of his servants, acknowledging the depth of their disgrace.

1 Chronicles 19 5 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 19 details an incident that precedes a major war between David's kingdom and the Ammonites, with Syrian allies. Following the death of Nahash, the Ammonite king who had previously shown kindness to David, David sent ambassadors to express condolences to Hanun, Nahash's son and successor. However, Hanun, advised by his princes, wrongly suspected David's true intentions, believing the ambassadors were spies. In a deeply insulting act, Hanun publicly humiliated David's envoys by shaving off half their beards and cutting off their robes at the hips, exposing their nakedness, and then sent them back. This act was a grave insult not only to the ambassadors but also to David and the entire nation of Israel, representing a complete disregard for diplomatic etiquette and human dignity in that culture. Verse 5 specifically recounts David's compassionate and prudent response to his shamed men before he mobilized for war.

1 Chronicles 19 5 Word analysis

• "So some of the men went and told David what had happened to the men.": This phrase establishes the reporting of a significant and deeply embarrassing event. The gravity of the humiliation necessitated immediate communication to the highest authority, David, highlighting his position as a just and empathetic king concerned for his subjects' welfare.
• "And he sent to meet them,": David's immediate response is active and proactive. He does not wait for the shamed men to come to him, thereby potentially exacerbating their shame in a public appearance. Instead, he sends representatives, perhaps including officials to provide transport and clothing, indicating both royal authority and immediate compassionate care. This immediate outreach signifies David's empathy and commitment to protecting the honor of his servants.
• "for the men were greatly ashamed.": The Hebrew phrase used here for "greatly ashamed" is vayêbōshû me’ōd (וַיֵּבֹ֥שׁוּ מְאֹד֙).
  • `vayêbōshû` (from the root `בוש` bosh) signifies to be ashamed, confounded, put to shame, or humiliated. It indicates a deep internal feeling of dishonor, often linked to public disgrace. In ancient Near Eastern culture, nakedness, or even partial nakedness (especially for men) was an extreme form of humiliation, signifying loss of status, power, and respect. It was used as a weapon against enemies or captives.
  • `me’ōd` (מְאֹד) means "greatly," "exceedingly," or "very much." The intensifier highlights the profound and unbearable nature of their shame. They were not merely embarrassed, but thoroughly disgraced to the point where they could not appear publicly in their current state. This was a moral injury more severe than a physical one.
  • The severity of their shame arose from the deliberate public display of their denigration: cutting garments and shaving beards were acts designed to strip a man of his public honor and standing.
• "And the king said, “Stay at Jericho": David's words here are a royal decree, indicating his wisdom and authority in a crisis.
  • "Stay at Jericho": Jericho, a significant city often mentioned in scripture, was strategically located away from Jerusalem (across the Jordan River, and a day's journey), providing a temporary place of refuge and seclusion. This directive kept the men from the immediate public eye of Jerusalem, allowing them to recover privately from their ordeal without further humiliation. It also hints at Jericho being a safe and provisioned place where they could be looked after. This demonstrated practical care and strategic foresight on David's part.
• "until your beards have grown,":
  • The beard held immense cultural and religious significance in ancient Israel and the wider Near East. It was a symbol of masculinity, maturity, dignity, honor, wisdom, and social standing. Mutilating or forcibly shaving a man's beard was an extreme act of public insult and deep dishonor, reducing a respected individual to a state akin to a captive or a slave. The law (Lev 19:27) explicitly protected the beard, signifying its sacredness in a way.
  • The instruction to wait "until your beards have grown" implies a period of considerable time (likely several months to a year for a full regrowth) necessary for the complete restoration of their physical appearance, which directly correlates to the restoration of their social dignity and personal honor. It allowed time for healing, physically and psychologically, before their public return.
• "and then return.”": This concluding command promises full restoration and reintegration into their honorable positions within David's court. It implies that their period of isolation was temporary and not a form of banishment. David's response was not just practical but also restorative, ensuring that his servants, though wronged, would ultimately reclaim their place of respect and dignity. It speaks to a leadership that values its people beyond their utility.

1 Chronicles 19 5 Bonus section

• This passage highlights the immense cultural value placed on honor and dignity in the ancient world, especially the public disgrace caused by violating physical markers like beards and clothing.
• David's actions here reflect a godly principle: when others are dishonored or broken, the compassionate response is to provide a place of safety, care, and opportunity for full restoration rather than exacerbating their suffering or forcing them into immediate public appearance.
• The incident served as a justifiable casus belli, showcasing Hanun's unjustifiable aggression and lack of wisdom, contrasting sharply with David's initial diplomatic gesture of kindness and his later wise response to his own men's shame. This paved the way for the ensuing conflict as divinely permitted retribution for unprovoked maliciousness.

1 Chronicles 19 5 Commentary

First Chronicles 19:5 showcases David’s exemplary leadership characterized by compassion, wisdom, and a profound understanding of human dignity. In stark contrast to Hanun's cruel and senseless act of humiliation, David responded with empathy and grace, prioritizing the emotional and social restoration of his shamed ambassadors over an immediate display of military might. His immediate sending for them and his command to shelter in Jericho highlight his pastoral care for his servants, recognizing the deep psychological impact of their disgrace. The waiting period, marked by the regrowth of beards, was crucial. It wasn't merely a cosmetic repair; it symbolized a deliberate passage of time for internal healing and external reclamation of honor. This action prevented further public humiliation for the men and affirmed their value in David's eyes. It served as a powerful declaration that King David would not abandon those who served him faithfully, especially when they suffered for his sake. This wisdom ultimately prepared them for a return to society with their full dignity intact, reflecting a king who valued the well-being and honor of his people as much as, if not more than, immediate retribution.