Add parallel Print Page Options

David: I will deal fairly with Hanun, son of Nahash, because his father dealt fairly with me.

So David sent messengers to Ammon with a message of sympathy about Nahash’s death. When David’s emissaries arrived, the princes of the Ammonites spoke to Hanun their lord.

Ammonite Leaders: Do you think this means David honors your father the king just because he sends these men with empty condolences? Hasn’t David ordered them to search the city, keep their eyes open, and plot how to conquer us?

So Hanun had David’s messengers seized. He mocked the men, shaving off half their beards, cutting off their garments at their hips, and then ordering them home.

Read full chapter

David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash,(A) just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father.

When David’s men came to the land of the Ammonites, the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think David is honoring your father by sending envoys to you to express sympathy? Hasn’t David sent them to you only to explore the city and spy it out(B) and overthrow it?” So Hanun seized David’s envoys, shaved off half of each man’s beard,(C) cut off their garments at the buttocks,(D) and sent them away.

Read full chapter