10:1,2
From David’s success and generally good behaviour we are soon going to enter a phase focusing on David’s failures. This chapter represents a transition from success to failure. 1 Sam 11 records Saul rescuing the city of Jabesh from Nahash the Ammonite. Nahash has now died and has been succeeded by his son Hanun. As was a custom in those days, David sent a delegation to Hanun to express his sympathy, much as world leaders today send messages of condolence when another world leader dies.
10:3,4
David’s kindness was rebuffed by the Ammonites/ Hanun sought advice from his commanders, and they were very distrusting of David. They claimed that rather than showing respect by sending his envoys, he had sent them in order to spy out the land in preparation for an attack. So they seized the envoys, cut off half of each man’s beard, and also cut off their garments at the buttocks, then sent them away. These actions were highly disrespectful, and were intended to shame the envoys.
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