101 Now it happened afterwards e that the king of the Ammonites e died , and Hanun his son became king in his place . 2 Then David said , "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash , just as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent some of his servants to console him concerning his father . But when David's servants came to the land of the Ammonites e , 3 the princes of the Ammonites e said to Hanun their lord , "Do you think that David is honoring your father because he has sent consolers to you? Has David not sent his servants to you in order to search the city , to spy it out and overthrow it?" 4 So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off half of their beards , and cut off their garments in the middle as far as their hips , and sent them away . 5 When they told it to David , he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly humiliated . And the king said , "Stay at Jericho until your beards grow , and then return ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 10:1-5
Commentary on 2 Samuel 10:1-5
(Read 2 Samuel 10:1-5)
Nahash had been an enemy to Israel, yet had showed kindness to David. David therefore resolves gratefully to return it. If a Pharisee gives alms in pride, though God will not reward it, yet he that receives the alms ought to return thanks for it. Those who bear ill-will to their neighbours, are resolved not to believe that their neighbours bear any good-will to them. There is nothing so well meant, but it may be ill interpreted, and is wont to be so, by men who love nobody but themselves. The best men must not think it strange if they are thus misrepresented. Charity thinketh no evil. According to the usages of those days and countries, Hanun treated David's ambassadors in the most contemptuous manner. David showed much concern for his servants. Let us learn not to lay unjust reproaches to heart; they will wear off, and turn only to the shame of those who utter or do them; while the reputation wrongfully hurt in a little time grows again, as these beards did. God will bring forth thy righteousness as the light, therefore wait patiently for him, Psalm 37:6,7.