King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 19:2 Mean?

1 Chronicles 19:2 in the King James Version says “And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David s... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed 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 · KJV


Context

1

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

2

And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed 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.

3

But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land? Thinkest: Heb. In thine eyes doth David, etc

4

Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Theological Analysis: This passage falls within the section on Ammonite war - David's continued conquests. The Hebrew term מִלְחָמָה (milchamah) - war/battle is theologically significant here, pointing to God fights for His people. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing temple worship, Levitical service, and covenant faithfulness.

Chronicles presents David not primarily as warrior-king but as worship organizer and temple planner. This verse contributes to that portrait by highlighting the spiritual dimensions of Israel's national life. The text demonstrates that true prosperity comes through proper worship and covenant obedience rather than merely military or political success.

Doctrinally, this passage teaches about God fights for His people. Cross-references throughout Chronicles connect David's reign to the broader redemptive narrative, showing how God's covenant promises advance through faithful human leadership while ultimately depending on divine grace and power. The messianic implications are profound: Spiritual warfare and Christ's triumph.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Background: This section describes events from David's reign (c. 1010-970 BCE) but was written centuries later during the Persian period (c. 450-400 BCE). The Chronicler's selectivity in retelling David's story serves his theological purposes—he omits David's sins (Bathsheba, Absalom's rebellion) while emphasizing David's worship reforms and temple preparations.

The historical setting of Ammonite war - David's continued conquests occurred during Israel's united monarchy, when the nation reached its territorial and political zenith. Archaeological evidence from this period shows significant building projects and administrative development. However, the Chronicler writes for a much smaller, struggling post-exilic community, using David's golden age to inspire hope for restoration.

Ancient Near Eastern parallels show that temple construction and royal sponsorship of worship were common across cultures. However, Israel's understanding of worship centered on covenant relationship with the one true God rather than manipulation of capricious deities. This theological distinctiveness shapes the Chronicler's presentation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse's emphasis on God fights for His people challenge or affirm your current spiritual priorities and practices?
  2. What does Spiritual warfare and Christ's triumph teach you about Jesus Christ and His redemptive work?
  3. In what practical ways can you apply the principles of covenant faithfulness and proper worship demonstrated in this passage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 29

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָוִ֜יד2 of 29

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

עָשָׂ֨ה3 of 29

I will shew

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

חֶ֔סֶד4 of 29

kindness

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

עִם5 of 29
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

חָנ֖וּן6 of 29

to Hanun

H2586

chanun, the name of an ammonite and of two israelites

בְּנֵֽי7 of 29

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נָחָ֗שׁ8 of 29

of Nahash

H5176

nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-israelite

כִּֽי9 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עָשָׂ֨ה10 of 29

I will shew

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אָבִ֑יו11 of 29

because his father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

עִמִּי֙12 of 29
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

חֶ֔סֶד13 of 29

kindness

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח14 of 29

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

דָוִ֜יד15 of 29

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מַלְאָכִ֖ים16 of 29

messengers

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

לְנַֽחֲמֽוֹ׃17 of 29

to comfort

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

עַל18 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אָבִ֑יו19 of 29

because his father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיָּבֹאוּ֩20 of 29

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עַבְדֵ֨י21 of 29

So the servants

H5650

a servant

דָוִ֜יד22 of 29

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶל23 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֧רֶץ24 of 29

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּנֵֽי25 of 29

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֛וֹן26 of 29

of Ammon

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

אֶל27 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חָנ֖וּן28 of 29

to Hanun

H2586

chanun, the name of an ammonite and of two israelites

לְנַֽחֲמֽוֹ׃29 of 29

to comfort

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 19:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 19:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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