Bible Strands
2 Samuel 10:2
And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David announces his intention to his court immediately after the Ammonite king Nahash dies and his son Hanun takes the throne. He orders servants to travel to Ammon and offer condolence on behalf of the deceased king.
The words — David states he will do חֶסֶד (chesed), literally covenant loyalty or steadfast love, toward Hanun. The term frames the diplomatic mission as a debt of reciprocal faithfulness rather than a routine political gesture.
The thread — The reference to Nahash’s prior kindness recalls David’s rescue at Jabesh-gilead (1 Samuel 11:1). This personal debt contrasts with the statutory exclusion of Ammonite descendants from the assembly of the LORD (Deuteronomy 23:3).
Why it lands — The text asks a reader to observe how historical obligations shape present political actions. It requires assessing whether recorded gestures of loyalty are sustained or rejected by those who receive them.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”
- Deuteronomy 23:3 No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation.
- Nehemiah 13:1 At that time the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people, and in it they found the passage stating that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,
- 1 Samuel 22:3 From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I learn what God will do for me.”
- Nehemiah 4:3 Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”