King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 10:3 Mean?

2 Samuel 10:3 in the King James Version says “And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, th... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

2 Samuel 10:3 · 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.

5

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

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 · 28 words
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֩1 of 28

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׂרֵ֨י2 of 28

And the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

בְנֵֽי3 of 28

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

עַמּ֜וֹן4 of 28

of Ammon

H5983

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

אֶל5 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חָנ֣וּן6 of 28

unto Hanun

H2586

chanun, the name of an ammonite and of two israelites

אֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֗ם7 of 28

their lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

הַֽמְכַבֵּ֨ד8 of 28

doth honour

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

דָּוִ֛ד9 of 28

thou that David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת10 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אָבִ֙יךָ֙11 of 28

thy father

H1

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

בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ12 of 28

Thinkest

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כִּֽי13 of 28
H3588

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

שָׁלַ֥ח14 of 28

rather sent

H7971

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

לְךָ֖15 of 28
H0
מְנַֽחֲמִ֑ים16 of 28

comforters

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

הֲ֠לוֹא17 of 28
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

בַּֽעֲב֞וּר18 of 28

unto thee to

H5668

properly, crossed, i.e., (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that

חֲקֹ֤ר19 of 28

search

H2713

properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately

אֶת20 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָעִיר֙21 of 28

the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וּלְרַגְּלָ֣הּ22 of 28

and to spy it out

H7270

to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer (i.e., slander); to lead about

וּלְהָפְכָ֔הּ23 of 28

and to overthrow

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

שָׁלַ֥ח24 of 28

rather sent

H7971

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

דָּוִ֛ד25 of 28

thou that David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת26 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֲבָדָ֖יו27 of 28

his servants

H5650

a servant

אֵלֶֽיךָ׃28 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


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 10:3 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 10:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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