2 Samuel 10 1

2 Samuel 10:1 kjv

And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.

2 Samuel 10:1 nkjv

It happened after this that the king of the people of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place.

2 Samuel 10:1 niv

In the course of time, the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun succeeded him as king.

2 Samuel 10:1 esv

After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place.

2 Samuel 10:1 nlt

Some time after this, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun became king.

2 Samuel 10 verses

2 Samuel 10 1 Meaning

This verse serves as a pivotal transition, marking the death of an unnamed king of the Ammonites and the ascension of his son, Hanun, to the throne. This seemingly routine event of royal succession immediately sets the stage for a dramatic and unfortunate diplomatic encounter between King David and the Ammonites, leading directly to a major war between Israel and Ammon in the subsequent narrative. It highlights the fragile nature of international relations and how a change in leadership can swiftly alter established dynamics, creating both opportunities for alliance and potential for conflict.

2 Samuel 10 1 Context

2 Samuel 10:1 stands as a gateway verse, pivoting the narrative from King David's consolidation of his kingdom, establishment of Jerusalem, and benevolent acts towards Saul's house (2 Sam 9), to a significant international conflict. Following God's covenant with David (2 Sam 7) and David's successful campaigns that brought surrounding nations under Israel's influence (2 Sam 8), this verse introduces a new phase of diplomatic relations. Historically, the Ammonites were a long-standing enemy of Israel, descended from Lot (Gen 19:38) and excluded from the Israelite assembly (Deut 23:3-6). The previous Ammonite king, Nahash, had been notably hostile to Israel, famously threatening Jabesh-Gilead (1 Sam 11). However, the specific wording here, combined with David's intention in verse 2, implies some form of prior amicable or pragmatic relationship between David and Nahash, perhaps fostered during David's fugitive years or established to maintain regional stability. The customary diplomatic practice involved a new king reaffirming or re-negotiating treaties upon ascending the throne; David's sending messengers was a conventional act of condolences and goodwill, though it would be tragically misinterpreted by Hanun's advisors.

2 Samuel 10 1 Word analysis

• After this (אַחֲרֵי-כֵן, ’aharē-ḵēn): A temporal and narrative marker, indicating a chronological progression from the previous events. It signals a shift in the story's focus from domestic affairs and personal acts of kindness to significant international developments, marking a new chapter in David's reign.
• it happened that (וַיְהִי, wayhi): A common Hebrew narrative conjunction, often translated "and it came to pass" or "and it was." It introduces a new event or situation, typically of consequence. In this context, it sets the stage for a critical turn in David's reign and Israel's foreign policy.
• the king (מֶלֶךְ, meleḵ): Denotes a sovereign ruler. The use here is significant as a king's death creates a potential power vacuum or shifts existing alliances.
• of the Ammonites (בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן, bĕnê ‘ammôn): Literally "sons of Ammon," referring to the nation of Ammon. This immediately identifies the geopolitical entity involved and implicitly links them to their long-standing historical, often adversarial, relationship with Israel. Their identity is tied to their patriarchal lineage, differentiating them from other peoples.
• died (מֵת, met): The cessation of life. A definitive event that prompts succession. This specific death (of King Nahash, as clarified in verse 2) is the catalyst for the events that follow, making it a highly significant narrative detail despite its brevity.
• and Hanun (וְחָנוּן, wəḥānûn): The personal name of the deceased king's son. Ironically, Ḥānûn means "gracious" or "merciful" in Hebrew, a stark contrast to the ungracious and hostile actions he will undertake immediately following his ascension. This ironic naming serves as a powerful literary device highlighting his tragic failure of judgment.
• his son (בְּנוֹ, bĕnōw): Indicates direct lineage and, in a monarchy, the natural successor. This confirms a smooth, dynastic transition of power within Ammon.
• reigned (מֶלֶךְ, meleḵ, used here as "he reigned"): Became king; assumed royal power. This simple statement signifies the transfer of authority, which carries profound implications for state policy and diplomatic relations with neighboring kingdoms.
• in his place (תַּחְתָּיו, taḥtāyw): Literally "under him" or "in his stead." A common idiom for succession. It means Hanun took over the deceased king's throne, signifying continuity of the Ammonite monarchy but discontinuity in its leadership's disposition towards David.

• "After this it happened that the king of the Ammonites died": This phrase marks a significant transition in David's reign, moving from internal consolidation and personal acts of kindness to a pivotal moment in international relations. The death of the established Ammonite king disrupts the status quo, demanding a diplomatic response from David and ultimately leading to war.
• "and Hanun his son reigned in his place": This establishes the identity of the new Ammonite ruler and signifies a direct, undisputed succession. However, this seemingly peaceful transition sets the stage for betrayal and conflict due to Hanun's later unwise decisions, contrasting the custom of establishing peace with a new sovereign with the actual outcome of this succession.

2 Samuel 10 1 Bonus section

• Literary Juxtaposition: The placement of this verse immediately after David's display of covenant loyalty and profound kindness to Mephibosheth (2 Sam 9) creates a powerful literary contrast. It illustrates David's character—one who values loyalty and extends kindness—and sets the stage for Hanun's contrasting actions of profound disrespect and suspicion towards David's goodwill. This juxtaposition highlights the difference between those who appreciate faithfulness and those who pervert it.
• Narrative Foreshadowing: Though outwardly mundane, this verse subtly foreshadows the great conflict to come. The identity of the Ammonites as long-standing adversaries, combined with the new, untested king Hanun, creates a tense narrative expectation of how this succession will impact Israelite relations. The simplicity of the statement belies its significant impact on David's reign.

2 Samuel 10 1 Commentary

2 Samuel 10:1 acts as a terse yet potent narrative catalyst, bridging King David's period of internal tranquility and benevolent rule with an unexpected turn into international hostility. The simple report of the Ammonite king's death and Hanun's ascension to the throne lays the groundwork for the ensuing diplomatic crisis and military conflict. It reveals the often-precarious nature of peace in the ancient Near East, where royal successions were moments of both continuity and potential disruption. David, in the next verse, extends kindness as per customary diplomacy, a gesture Hanun, swayed by suspicious advisors, profoundly misunderstands, turning an overture of peace into an act of grave insult. This verse therefore underscores how seemingly neutral events, like a royal succession, can trigger unforeseen and devastating consequences based on misinterpretation and mistrust, highlighting the importance of wise counsel and clear intentions in statecraft.