Keraia
2 Samuel 10

2 Samuel 10:5

David’s Messengers Disgraced · 2 Samuel 10:1–8
Read 2 Samuel 10

Translations

Modern
When this was reported to David, he sent messengers to meet the men, since they had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.”
Traditional
When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
Literal
And they told David, and he sent to meet them because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Abide at Jericho until your beards have grown, and return.”
Latin
Quod cum nuntiatum esset David, misit in occursum eorum: erant enim viri confusi turpiter valde, et mandavit eis David: Manete in Jericho donec crescat barba vestra, et tunc revertimini.

Original

Hebrew
English
When this was reported to David, he sent messengers to meet the men, since they had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.”

Notes

2 Samuel 10:5

The city of Jericho had not been officially rebuilt (see 1 Kings 16:34). However, the site lay next to the largest and most reliable spring in the land, so people continued to live nearby.

Anyone traveling from Ammon to Jerusalem would pass by this area. Because of this, Jericho provided a quiet and private place where the men could stay hidden while they recovered from their humiliation.

2 Samuel 10:1–5

The king of Ammon insulted David’s ambassadors, which led to two battles between Israel and Ammon (2 Samuel 10:6–12:31).

2 Samuel 10:1–19

After the break in 2 Samuel 9, the story goes back to David's military successes. The Ammonites were likely the dominant political power in Transjordan (the area east of the Jordan) during Saul’s reign and the early years of David’s reign.

Theme notes and profiles

Abishai David Joab

Events

Parallels

1 Chronicles 19:1–9

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Places

Jericho: An ancient city in Canaan, famously conquered by Israel

Glossary

Beard David Gilead (Place) Hadadezer Hanun Jericho Kindness Kings, Books of First and Second Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Facial Hair Mortification: David's Ambassadors, Sent to Hanun The Beard: The Jews Never Appeared Without