Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary

I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash - We do not know exactly the nature or extent of the obligation which David was under to the king of the Ammonites; but it is likely that the Nahash here mentioned was the same who had attacked Jabesh-gilead, and whom Saul defeated: as David had taken refuge with the Moabites, ( 1 Samuel 22:3;), and this was contiguous to the king of the Ammonites, his hatred to Saul might induce him to show particular kindness to David.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

The history does not record any instance of Nahash‘s kindness to David, but the enmity of the house of Nahash against Saul may have disposed him favorably toward Saul‘s enemy David, and if there was any family connection between David‘s house and Nahash 2 Samuel 17:25 this may have increased the friendship.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Then said David, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash,.... Send him a friendly compliment of condolence on the death of his father:

as his father showed kindness unto me; when David was persecuted by Saul, he sent him aid, and invited him into his country for protection it may be, and some way or other showed respect unto him; though not out of real love and friendship to David, but in enmity to Saul, who had defeated him at Jabeshgilead, and had often wars with him: the Jews say^F15Tanchuma apud Jarchium in loc. the particular kindness was, that when David left his father, mother, and brethren, with the king of Moab, he slew all but one, who fled to the king of the children of Ammon, and was by him saved alive:

and David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father; for the death of his father; to condole the loss of him, which was the custom of kings in friendship and alliance in former times, and still continues:

and David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon; even to Rabbah, the metropolis of the nation, and the royal city, where the king kept his court.

Geneva Study Bible

Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father ^a 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.

(a) The children of God are not unmindful of a benefit received.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Then said David, I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness unto me — It is probable that this was the Nahash against whom Saul waged war at Jabesh-gilead (1 Samuel 11:11). David, on leaving Gath, where his life was exposed to danger, found an asylum with the king of Moab; and as Nahash, king of the Ammonites, was his nearest neighbor, it may be that during the feud between Saul and David, he, through enmity to the former, was kind and hospitable to David.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

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.

David sent — There had hitherto been friendship between David and him: and therefore the spoils of the children of Ammon are mentioned, chap8:12, by way of anticipation, and with respect to the story here following.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Samuel 10:2 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.

Ver. 2. Then said David.] Let Hanun be as graceless as he will, David will show himself gracious by being grateful. The same Greek word χαρις signifieth both grace and gratitude. Neither doth the ill success he had argue that he did amiss, as Pellican will have it: for duty is to be done, however it speed or take with wicked persons. What if Hanun were a heathen king? might not his friendship be therefore sought? might not his father’s courtesy be requited? If a very dog fawn upon us, we stroke him on the head, and clap him on the side: much less is the common band of humanity untied by grace.

As his father showed kindness unto me.] What this kindness was in particular, the Scripture showeth not: the Hebrews say, that when the king of Moab had slain David’s parents and brethren - whom he left with him for safeguard from Saul - one of his brethren escaped and fled to Nahash, king of Ammon, who helped him. Abulensis, Lyra, Angelomus, and others say, that when David fled from Achish, king of Gath, he came to the king of Ammon, who showed him kindness, and out of his hatred to Saul, their common enemy, bestowed many favours upon him. This David now desireth to requite, but meeteth with coarse entertainment.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Therefore there had hitherto been peace and friendship between David and him; and therefore the spoils of the children of Ammon are mentioned 2 Samuel 8:12, by way of anticipation, and with respect to the story here following.

As his father showed kindness unto me; which he might do either by offering him his help, if he needed it; or by supplying him with military or other provisions upon occasion, or many other ways.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

2.His father showed kindness unto me — When and how we are nowhere told, but it was probably during the time of his flight from Saul.

To comfort him — To sympathize with him in the time of his mourning for his father.

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments

2 Samuel 10:2. As his father showed kindness unto me — All generous minds are full of gratitude and compassion. David here remembers the ancient benefits which he had received from Nahash, and pitied his son, who had lost such a father. What those benefits were is uncertain. It is probable, however, that, being an enemy to Saul, who had given him a great overthrow, he proved a friend to David when he was persecuted by him, sent him relief and assistance, and perhaps offered him his protection. David sent to comfort him — According to the present custom among princes, who send some of their courtiers to condole with those, under any loss or suffering, with whom they live in friendship. And as, it appears, there had hitherto been friendship between David and him, we must conclude that what is said of the spoils of the children of Ammon, 2 Samuel 8:12, is mentioned by way of anticipation, and is to be understood of the spoils taken after the victory spoken of in this chapter.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Naas, whom Saul had defeated, and who on that account is supposed to have received his rival more willingly, (Calmet) when he had retreated into the country of Moab, 1 Kings xxii. 3. After receiving many presents from Naas, he retired to Odollam. (St. Jerome, Tradit.) (Menochius) --- Though the Israelites were not to seek the friendship of these nations, (Deuteronomy xxiii. 6,) they were not forbidden to make a return of gratitude. (Menochius)

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

kindness = lovingkindness, or grace. Compare 2 Samuel 9:1.

as = according as.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

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.

I will show kindness unto Hanun, the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness unto me. It is probable that this was the Nahash against whom Saul waged war at Jabesh-gilead (1 Samuel 11:11). David, on leaving Gath, where his life was exposed to danger, found an asylum with the king of Moab; and as Nahash, king of the Ammonites, was his nearest neighbour, it may be that, during the feud between Saul and David, he, through enmity to the former, was kind and hospitable to David.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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.

shew kindness

Deuteronomy 23:3-6; Nehemiah 4:3-7; 13:1-3

Nahash

1 Samuel 11:1

as his father

1 Samuel 22:3,4

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 2:6 - I also;  2 Samuel 17:27 - the son of Nahash;  1 Kings 5:1 - sent;  2 Kings 20:12 - sent letters;  Isaiah 39:1 - sent letters;  Jeremiah 37:2 - the prophet;  John 11:19 - to comfort;  Ephesians 6:20 - bonds