King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 10:2 Mean?

2 Samuel 10:2 in the King James Version says “Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sen... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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


Context

1

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

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

3

And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? Thinkest: Heb. In thine eyes doth David?

4

Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed 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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of War with Ammon and Aram, emphasizing responding to insult with strength. The Ammonite insult to David's ambassadors and subsequent war demonstrates appropriate responses to hostility. Theological themes include honor/shame dynamics in ancient cultures, the legitimacy of responding firmly to aggression, and trusting God when facing overwhelming opposition. The Hebrew narrative emphasizes strategic wisdom alongside divine enablement.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 10 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding responding to insult with strength provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of responding to insult with strength?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 26

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָוִ֔ד2 of 26

And David's

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

עָשָׂ֨ה3 of 26

I will shew

H6213

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

חֶ֔סֶד4 of 26

kindness

H2617

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

עִם5 of 26
H5973

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

חָנ֣וּן6 of 26

unto Hanun

H2586

chanun, the name of an ammonite and of two israelites

בְּנֵ֥י7 of 26

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 26

of Nahash

H5176

nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-israelite

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩9 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֨ה10 of 26

I will shew

H6213

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

אָבִ֑יו11 of 26

as his father

H1

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

עִמָּדִי֙12 of 26
H5978

along with

חֶ֔סֶד13 of 26

kindness

H2617

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

וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח14 of 26

sent

H7971

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

דָוִ֔ד15 of 26

And David's

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לְנַֽחֲמ֛וֹ16 of 26

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

בְּיַד17 of 26

him by the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַבְדֵ֣י18 of 26

of his servants

H5650

a servant

אֶל19 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָבִ֑יו20 of 26

as his father

H1

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

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙21 of 26

came

H935

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

עַבְדֵ֣י22 of 26

of his servants

H5650

a servant

דָוִ֔ד23 of 26

And David's

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶ֖רֶץ24 of 26

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּנֵ֥י25 of 26

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

עַמּֽוֹן׃26 of 26

of Ammon

H5983

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 10:2 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 2 Samuel 10:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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