John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. Then said David, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash , etc.] 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 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 give 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 an good-will to them. There is nothing so well meant, but it may be il 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 thu misrepresented. Charity thinketh no evil. According to the usages of those days and countries, Hanun treated David's ambassadors in the mos contemptuous manner. David showed much concern for his servants. Let u learn not to lay unjust reproaches to heart; they will wear off, an turn only to the shame of those who utter or do them; while the reputation wrongfully hurt in a little time grows again, as thes beards did. God will bring forth thy righteousness as the light therefore wait patiently for him, Ps 37:6, 7.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 דוד1732 אעשׂה6213 חסד2617 עם5973 חנון2586 בן1121 נחשׁ5176 כאשׁר834 עשׂה6213 אביו1 עמדי5978 חסד2617 וישׁלח7971 דוד1732 לנחמו5162 ביד3027 עבדיו5650 אל413 אביו1 ויבאו935 עבדי5650 דוד1732 ארץ776 בני1121 עמון׃5983
