2 Samuel 10:4

So Hanun had David's representatives detained, shaved off half of each man's beard, cut off their clothes at the buttocks, and then sent them back home.

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

3the Ammonite military leaders said to Hanun their king, “Do you really believe David sent condolences to you out of respect for your father? Isn't it more likely that David sent his representatives to scout out the city, spy on it, and then conquer it?”

5When David was told about this, he sent messengers to meet them, because they were very embarrassed. The king instructed them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have re-grown, and then you can return.”

Read all of 2 Samuel 10

Cross References

Leviticus 19:27Don't cut your hair on the sides of your head or trim the sides of your beard,

1 Chronicles 19:4So Hanun detained David's ambassadors and had them shaved, and their robes cut off at the buttocks. Then he sent them back.

Isaiah 15:2The people of Dibon go up to their temple to weep at its high places. The Moabites weep over the towns of Nebo and Medeba. Every head has been shaved, every beard has been cut off in mourning.

Isaiah 47:2Go to work grinding flour with millstones. Remove your veil. Strip off your skirt, bare your legs, wade through rivers.

Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 10:2-6

Hanun's Usage of David's Servants. ( b. c. 1038.) 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… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 2 Samuel 10:4