2 Samuel 10:2 kjv
Then said David, 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.
2 Samuel 10:2 nkjv
Then David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent by the hand of his servants to comfort him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the people of Ammon.
2 Samuel 10:2 niv
David thought, "I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. When David's men came to the land of the Ammonites,
2 Samuel 10:2 esv
And David said, "I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me." So David sent by his servants to console him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the Ammonites.
2 Samuel 10:2 nlt
David said, "I am going to show loyalty to Hanun just as his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me." So David sent ambassadors to express sympathy to Hanun about his father's death. But when David's ambassadors arrived in the land of Ammon,
2 Samuel 10 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hesed/Kindness & Reciprocity | ||
| 2 Sam 9:1 | And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness (hesed) for Jonathan's sake?” | David's prior act of hesed towards Mephibosheth, demonstrating his character. |
| Ruth 1:8 | But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly (hesed) with you..." | Demonstrates human-to-human hesed and reciprocal desire. |
| Gen 24:12 | And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love (hesed) to my master Abraham.” | Request for divine hesed, reflecting its nature as faithful kindness. |
| Pss 136:1 | Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love (hesed) endures forever. | Divine hesed as an enduring attribute, showing the high esteem of the concept. |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness (hesed), and to walk humbly with your God? | Human requirement to practice hesed. |
| Prov 3:3 | Let not steadfast love (hesed) and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck... | The virtue of practicing hesed. |
| Zech 7:9 | “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness (hesed) and mercy each to his brother..." | Command to demonstrate hesed to fellow human beings. |
| Col 3:12 | Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness (hesed)... | New Testament parallel, embodying kindness for believers. |
| Luke 6:31 | And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. | The "Golden Rule," underpinning David's principle of reciprocity. |
| Matt 5:43-44 | “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor... But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." | A challenging call that David's action, however pragmatically, resonates with. |
| Ammonite Context & Conflict | ||
| Gen 19:38 | ...the younger also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites to this day. | Origin of the Ammonites, descendants of Lot. |
| Deut 23:3-4 | “No Ammonite... may enter the assembly of the Lord... because they did not meet you with food and with water on the way..." | A specific prohibition and reason for God's negative stance on Ammonites. |
| Judg 11:4-5 | After a time the Ammonites made war against Israel. And when the Ammonites made war against Israel... | A history of recurring conflict between Ammon and Israel. |
| 1 Sam 11:1-2 | Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-Gilead... and Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you... gouge out all your right eyes.” | Nahash's historical cruelty and antagonism towards Israel (under Saul). |
| Neh 4:7 | But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward... they were very angry. | Ammonites consistently depicted as antagonists to Israel. |
| Ezek 25:2-7 | “Son of man, set your face toward the Ammonites, and prophesy against them... because you said, ‘Aha!’ over my sanctuary..." | Divine judgment against Ammon for their malice against Israel. |
| Ps 83:7 | Gebal and Ammon and Amalek... conspired together against You. | Ammonites listed among nations hostile to God's people. |
| Misjudgment & Its Consequences | ||
| 2 Sam 10:3 | But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father?" | Immediately following, demonstrating the swift misinterpretation of David's actions. |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | The principle of misguided actions leading to destruction, applicable to Hanun's error. |
| Prov 26:17 | Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. | Caution against acting without understanding or justification, seen in Hanun's action. |
| Diplomacy & Messengers | ||
| Gen 32:3-4 | Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom... | The common ancient practice of sending messengers for diplomacy. |
| 1 Kings 5:1 | When Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in place of his father, Hiram sent his servants to Solomon, for Hiram had always loved David. | Example of international royal diplomacy through emissaries, showing respectful ties. |
| Luke 19:14 | But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ | Sending of delegations/messengers, whether for good or ill. |
2 Samuel 10 verses
2 Samuel 10 2 Meaning
This verse establishes King David's compassionate intent towards Hanun, the new king of the Ammonites, following the death of Hanun's father, Nahash. David desired to show hesed (loyal love/kindness) to Hanun in reciprocity for similar kindness Nahash had previously extended to him. To execute this, David dispatched official emissaries to convey his condolences and comfort Hanun. This act was a diplomatic and deeply personal gesture rooted in a past favor, setting the stage for subsequent events.
2 Samuel 10 2 Context
This verse marks the beginning of a significant conflict between David's Israel and the Ammonites. Following King Nahash's death, David initiates an act of goodwill rooted in an unspecified past favor. Historically, Ammonites were perennial adversaries of Israel, tracing back to Lot (Gen 19:38) and continually featuring in battles (Judg 3:13; 10:7-9; 1 Sam 11). King Nahash himself was infamous for his cruelty toward Israel during Saul's reign, particularly at Jabesh-Gilead (1 Sam 11). This makes David's "kindness" even more remarkable and likely a reflection of a personal understanding or political arrangement with Nahash, possibly during David's fugitive period from Saul. The context immediately leading up to this chapter in 2 Samuel details David establishing his kingdom, bringing the ark to Jerusalem, and promising a lineage to God (2 Sam 7), and showing kindness to Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth (2 Sam 9). This demonstrates David's reign moving into a phase of consolidating peace and extending righteous governance and grace, which makes his intention toward Hanun consistent with his established character.
2 Samuel 10 2 Word analysis
- And David said: Signifies a deliberate, kingly pronouncement and decision. This is not an impulsive act but a considered decree from the king.
- “I will show kindness”: The Hebrew word is חֶסֶד (khe-sed), pronounced kheh-sed. This term denotes loyal love, covenant faithfulness, steadfast affection, or active benevolence. It is a profound theological concept often used to describe God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people (Ex 34:6, Pss 136). David using hesed here implies more than mere politeness; it suggests a deep, ethical commitment to uphold a prior relationship or obligation. This is characteristic of David’s nature as one who often sought to reflect God’s character in his rule.
- “to Hanun the son of Nahash”: Identifies the immediate recipient of David's gesture. Hanun is the new king, heir to a throne David likely had complex ties with.
- “just as his father Nahash showed kindness to me”: This phrase reveals the motive behind David’s action: reciprocity. The specific nature of Nahash's "kindness" (khe-sed) to David is not explicitly detailed elsewhere in Scripture, making this a pivotal, albeit mysterious, point. Scholars speculate it may refer to Nahash providing some form of refuge or support to David during his flight from Saul, or an implicit anti-Saul alliance. It shows David valuing past relationships, even with foreign rulers, embodying the principle of "paying back" good for good.
- “So David sent his servants to console him concerning his father.”: This describes the concrete action taken. "Servants" (עֲבָדִים, ‘avadim) would have been high-ranking envoys or officials, representing the king. "Console" (נָחַם, nacham) means to comfort or mourn with someone. Sending an official delegation to express condolences upon the death of a monarch was a common, important diplomatic custom in the ancient Near East, symbolizing respect, good relations, or non-aggression.
- “When they came to the land of the Ammonites, they came to Hanun.”: This phrase marks the successful, initial execution of David’s mission. The envoys arrived at their destination, indicating the journey was completed and they were now under Hanun's authority, directly setting the scene for the unfolding events.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And David said, 'I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash'": This phrase immediately reveals David's proactive intention for peace and benevolence. The direct declaration emphasizes the king's authority and personal commitment. It positions David as initiating good will, not waiting for it.
- "just as his father Nahash showed kindness to me": This highlights the foundational principle of David's action: historical reciprocity. It suggests an unrecorded history of positive interaction, perhaps even a strategic alliance during a tumultuous time. David's sense of loyalty to past favors, even from a former adversary's father, speaks volumes about his character.
- "So David sent his servants to console him concerning his father.": This describes the implementation of David's decree. The "servants" acting as royal ambassadors elevates the status of the gesture. The act of "consolation" (expressing sympathy for loss) was a well-understood ancient custom between monarchs, typically denoting a gesture of peace and diplomatic respect.
- "When they came to the land of the Ammonites, they came to Hanun.": This establishes the physical setting and the successful preliminary outcome of David's mission. The envoys arrived safely, reaching their intended target, setting the immediate stage for the misunderstanding and conflict to follow.
2 Samuel 10 2 Bonus section
- The hesed shown by Nahash to David, though undocumented, serves as a crucial plot point. It illustrates how past relationships, even those seemingly insignificant or unexpected, can dictate future interactions, or at least attempt to. This also serves to portray David's integrity – he doesn't forget a kindness, even when dealing with a historical enemy's family.
- This verse showcases David's approach to foreign policy during his reign – not purely aggressive, but also seeking peaceful resolutions and alliances based on prior ties. This diplomatic approach stands in stark contrast to the subsequent actions of the Ammonites.
- The fact that David sends "servants" and not a military contingent underscores the purely peaceful and ceremonial nature of his intent. This deliberate choice highlights the grievous nature of Hanun's misinterpretation and mistreatment of these diplomatic representatives.
2 Samuel 10 2 Commentary
2 Samuel 10:2 vividly portrays David’s character and commitment to hesed, even toward the son of a historically adversarial king. His stated motivation, reciprocity for kindness received from Nahash, reflects a profound understanding of loyal friendship and an honorable, debt-repaying disposition. David’s action was a testament to his kingdom-building strategy, which blended military strength with diplomatic overtures, reflecting his desire for peace where possible. This act, rooted in a positive personal history with Nahash, distinguishes David as a king who remembered past favors and sought to extend grace, echoing the covenant loyalty (hesed) that God Himself demonstrates. The irony is that this very act of genuine kindness, rooted in integrity, would be tragically misinterpreted by Hanun and his counselors, leading to disastrous consequences. It highlights the vulnerability of pure intentions to human suspicion and folly in a world shaped by mistrust and past animosities.