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2 Samuel 10

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 10 of 24

1 And it happened afterward, the king of the Ammonites died. And his son Hanun reigned in his place.

2 And David said, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me. And David sent to comfort him concerning his father by the hand of his servants. And David's servants came into the land of the sons of Ammon.

3 And the leaders of the sons of Ammon said to their lord Hanun, Is David honoring your father in your eyes, because he has sent comforters to you? Has not David sent his servants to you to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?

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Chapter Summary

David's servants are sent to comfort Hanun. Hanun humiliates them. The Ammonites are overcome by Joab and Abishai. Shobach is slain by David.

Key Hebrew Words

חֶ֫סֶד kindness, loyal love H2617 · TWOT 698a
נָחַם to comfort, console H5162 · TWOT 1344
כָּלַם be humiliated, disgraced H3637 · TWOT 987
מִלְחָמָה battle, war H4421 · TWOT 1104c
חָזַק be strong, take courage H2388 · TWOT 636
יָשַׁע to deliver, help H3467 · TWOT 929

People & Context

David

Israel's king who sends comforters to Hanun, then routs the Ammonites and Syrians who war against him.

Hanun

New Ammonite king who shames David's envoys by shaving their beards, provoking the war.

Joab

David's army commander who divides the forces and drives back the Syrians in battle.

Abishai

Joab's brother, set against the sons of Ammon while Joab faces the Syrians.

Shobach

Commander of Hadarezer's Syrian army, struck down by David at Helam.

Hadarezer

Syrian overlord who musters reinforcements beyond the River; his vassal kings finally submit to Israel.

Timeline

David Sends Comforters to Ammon

After the king of the Ammonites dies, David sends his servants to comfort Hanun, the new king, as a gesture of kindness.

2 Samuel 10:1-2
Hanun Humiliates David's Servants

Suspecting the comforters are spies, Hanun shaves off half their beards, cuts their robes in half, and sends them away in disgrace.

2 Samuel 10:3-4
David's Men Wait in Jericho

David commands his humiliated servants to remain in Jericho until their beards grow back.

2 Samuel 10:5

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