2 Samuel 10 5

2 Samuel 10:5 kjv

When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

2 Samuel 10:5 nkjv

When they told David, 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."

2 Samuel 10:5 niv

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

2 Samuel 10:5 esv

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

2 Samuel 10:5 nlt

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

2 Samuel 10 verses

2 Samuel 10 5 Meaning

David, upon hearing of the extreme disgrace inflicted upon his ambassadors by the Ammonite king Hanun, acted with compassion and strategic wisdom. He sent word to his humiliated men, advising them to remain in Jericho—a place of temporary refuge—until their beards, which had been half-shaved as a mark of shame, had fully regrown, thereby restoring their honor before returning to Jerusalem. This directive allowed them to recover from their public humiliation out of the sight of the populace and re-enter society with their dignity restored.

2 Samuel 10 5 Context

The immediate context of 2 Samuel 10:5 is David's attempt to extend kindness to Hanun, the new king of Ammon, following the death of Hanun's father Nahash, who had shown kindness to David in the past. David sent ambassadors to offer condolences. However, Hanun, manipulated by his skeptical advisors, perceived David's act as a reconnaissance mission and chose to gravely insult David's representatives. He had half their beards shaved off and their garments cut off in the middle, up to their buttocks. This was a profound act of public humiliation in the ancient Near East, designed to shame not only the men but also the king they represented. Beards were a symbol of honor, masculinity, and social standing, and garments provided covering and dignity. Mutilation of both was a declaration of extreme contempt and a deliberate act of war. Upon hearing of this disgrace, David's response in verse 5 demonstrates his empathy and strategic insight, providing his men with a path to restore their honor before confronting the Ammonites. This event directly led to the intense war between Israel and the Ammonites, with the Syrians joining the Ammonites.

2 Samuel 10 5 Word analysis

• "When David was told": The Hebrew verb vayyaggidu (וַיַּגִּ֣דוּ) indicates a report, passive on David's part, implying the gravity and urgency of the news reaching him. It signifies David's receipt of critical information, initiating his response.
• "he sent": The Hebrew vayyishlach (וַיִּשְׁלַח֮) means "and he sent." This shows David's swift, decisive, and proactive action. He immediately dispatches messengers, demonstrating his care for his men.
• "to meet them": likra'atam (לִקְרָאתָ֑ם) means "to meet them" or "to go to encounter them." This implies David didn't wait for them to arrive in their humiliated state but sent someone to intercept and guide them, perhaps preventing further public shame upon their return to Jerusalem.
• "for the men were greatly ashamed": The phrase bikhlimal (כִּי־הָי֥וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים נִכְלָמִ֣ים מְאֹ֑ד) is key. Nikhlamim comes from the root kalal (כָּלַל), meaning "to be disgraced," "to be put to shame," or "to blush." Me'od (מְאֹד) emphasizes the intensity: "very" or "greatly." This highlights the extreme mental and social distress of the men due to the profound public disgrace, which was the cultural intent of Hanun's act.
• "and the king said": David's direct communication, signaling his authority and compassionate instruction.
• "Remain at Jericho": Shvu (שְׁבוּ) means "dwell" or "remain." Jericho, though cursed from Joshua's time (Josh 6:26, 1 Ki 16:34), was strategically located near the Jordan River, offering a quiet, out-of-the-way place for the men to recuperate. It allowed them to be unseen in their humiliating state. Its association with Israel's past adds a layer of unexpected restoration to a once-cursed location.
• "until your beards have grown out": ʿAd ṣame'aḥ ziqnekhem (עַ֣ד צֶמַ֤ח זְקַנְכֶם֙). The beard (zaqen זָקֵן) was profoundly symbolic in ancient Israel and the wider Near East, representing honor, masculinity, wisdom, and dignity. For a man to have his beard half-shaved was an extreme and humiliating act, comparable to publicly stripping him of his identity and standing. David's instruction addresses this primary source of shame. Tṣameaḥ (צָמַח) means "to sprout" or "to grow." This period of waiting allowed for the literal and symbolic restoration of their honor.
• "and then return": Ve-shavtem (וְשַׁבְתֶּֽם). This is the condition for their reentry. Once their physical appearance, and thus their honor, was restored, they could resume their normal lives and duties, ready for whatever action David might then command. It emphasizes a return to wholeness and dignity.

2 Samuel 10 5 Bonus section

• Contrast in Leadership: This verse beautifully contrasts Hanun's short-sighted, ill-advised action based on suspicion with David's thoughtful, compassionate, and strategic leadership. Hanun's act inflamed a minor diplomatic incident into a major war; David's response mitigated the personal impact on his men while preparing for the inevitable conflict.
• Symbolism of Jericho: That David chose Jericho, a city historically under a divine curse (Joshua 6:26), as a place of refuge and restoration for these shamed men, is striking. It suggests a pragmatic approach to providing safety and time, rather than adherence to strict superstition regarding the site. It could also symbolically hint at new beginnings even in places associated with past judgment.
• Public vs. Private Healing: David recognized that their shame was public. He provided a private space and time for them to heal, showing wisdom in dealing with sensitive matters. It's a profound lesson in how to support those who have faced deep personal humiliation.
• Redemptive Delay: The "until your beards have grown out" command implies a redemptive delay. It was not just about physical growth, but about mental and emotional recuperation, allowing them to overcome the stigma and return with renewed confidence. This pause also afforded David time to gather his forces effectively.

2 Samuel 10 5 Commentary

2 Samuel 10:5 vividly portrays King David's compassionate and sagacious leadership in the face of profound public disgrace. Instead of a furious, immediate military response to Hanun's insult—which eventually did come—David prioritizes the psychological and social well-being of his shamed ambassadors. His directive for them to wait in Jericho, away from public view, until their beards regrew demonstrates a deep understanding of the honor-shame culture of his time. The cutting of garments and beards was a direct assault on the men's dignity, stripping them of their perceived manliness and societal standing. By allowing them time for physical restoration, David effectively allowed for the restoration of their emotional and social honor. This act highlights David's character: not just a warrior, but a leader who deeply cares for his people, demonstrating empathy and strategic patience, turning a moment of severe humiliation into a measured period of healing before action.