John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants , etc.] His ambassadors: and shaved off one half of their beards ; that is, he ordered them to be shaved off; than which a greater indignity could not have been well done to them and to David, whom they represented, since the Israelites shaved not their beards, and were very careful of preserving them; for had it been the custom to shave, they might have shaved off the other half, and then they would not have appeared so ridiculous; and with other people it has been reckoned a very great punishment as well could be inflicted, and as great an affront as could well be offered, to mar a man’s beard, or shave it off in whole or in part f160 . The Lacedemonians, as Plutarch relates, when any fled from battle, used, by way of reproach, to shave off part of their beards, and let the other part grow long; and with the Indians, as Bishop Patrick observes from an ancient writer, the king used to order the greatest offenders to be shaven, as the heaviest punishment he could inflict upon them; but what comes nearest to the case here is what the same learned commentator quotes from Tavernier, who in his Indian Travels tells us, that the sophi of Persia caused an ambassador of Aurengzeb to have his beard shaved off, telling him he was not worthy to wear a beard, and thereupon commanded it should be shaved off; which affront offered him in the person of his ambassador was most highly resented by Aurengzeb, as this was by David: and cut off their garments in the middle, [even] to their buttocks ; and as they wore long garments in those countries, without any breeches or drawers under them, those parts by these means were exposed to view which modesty requires should be concealed f162 ; so that they must be put to the utmost shame and confusion: and sent them away ; in this ridiculous manner, scoffing and leering at them no doubt; that since they came with compliments of condolence, it was proper they should appear in the habit of mourners, with their beards shaved, and their garments rent; cutting of garments, and standing in them from morning tonight, was a punishment of soldiers with the Romans, when they offended f163 .
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 ויקח3947 חנון2586 את853 עבדי5650 דוד1732 ויגלח1548 את853 חצי2677 זקנם2206 ויכרת3772 את853 מדויהם4063 בחצי2677 עד5704 שׁתותיהם8357 וישׁלחם׃7971
