2 Samuel 10:4

KJV

Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, [even] to their buttocks, and sent them away.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore Hanun {H2586} took {H3947} David's {H1732} servants {H5650}, and shaved off {H1548} the one half {H2677} of their beards {H2206}, and cut off {H3772} their garments {H4063} in the middle {H2677}, even to their buttocks {H8357}, and sent them away {H7971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Hanun took David's servants, shaved off half their beards, cut off their clothes halfway up, at their buttocks, and then sent them away.

Berean Standard Bible

So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away.

American Standard Version

So Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 10:4 details a profound act of public humiliation inflicted by Hanun, the new king of the Ammonites, upon King David's diplomatic envoys. This deliberate and deeply insulting act, involving the shaving of half their beards and the cutting of their garments to expose them, transformed a gesture of goodwill into an irreparable breach of peace, directly precipitating a major conflict between Israel and Ammon.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of a brief but pivotal narrative arc in [2 Samuel 10](/2_samuel/10 "2 Samuel 10 - David's War with Ammon and Syria"). Following the death of Nahash, the Ammonite king who had previously shown kindness to David (likely during David's fugitive years), David sent messengers to express condolences to Hanun, Nahash's son and successor ([2 Samuel 10:1-2](/2_samuel/10-1 "2 Samuel 10:1-2 - David's Condolence to Hanun")). This diplomatic overture, intended to honor a past relationship, was tragically misinterpreted. The Ammonite princes, suspicious of David's motives, convinced Hanun that the envoys were spies sent to survey the city for an impending attack ([2 Samuel 10:3](/2_samuel/10-3 "2 Samuel 10:3 - Ammonite Princes' Suspicion")). Hanun's subsequent actions in [2 Samuel 10:4](/2_samuel/10-4 "2 Samuel 10:4 - Hanun's Humiliation of David's Messengers") are a direct response to this counsel, escalating the situation from suspicion to outright hostility and setting the stage for the Ammonite-Syrian wars described in the remainder of [2 Samuel 10](/2_samuel/10 "2 Samuel 10 - David's War with Ammon and Syria") and [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba; War with Ammon").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a man's beard was an extremely potent symbol of his honor, dignity, maturity, and social standing. To shave off a beard, or even half of it, was an act of profound disgrace, often associated with mourning, slavery, or ritual impurity. It was a public stripping of identity and respect. Similarly, garments were not merely clothing but represented a person's status, identity, and modesty. To cut off a man's tunic "even to their buttocks" was to expose him indecently, rendering him utterly vulnerable, shamed, and an object of ridicule. This act was designed to convey the utmost contempt and to publicly challenge the authority and honor of the king who sent them. Such an affront was considered an act of war, as it violated the fundamental principles of diplomatic immunity and personal dignity, demanding a swift and decisive response to restore honor.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes within the broader narrative of David's reign and the book of [2 Samuel](/2_samuel "2 Samuel - David's Reign"):
* **The Fragility of Diplomacy and the Dangers of Suspicion:** David's genuine gesture of kindness was met with deep-seated suspicion and fear, leading to a catastrophic breakdown in relations. This highlights how easily good intentions can be misconstrued, with severe consequences, as seen in Hanun's rash decision based on his princes' counsel ([2 Samuel 10:3](/2_samuel/10-3 "2 Samuel 10:3 - Ammonite Princes' Suspicion")).
* **Honor and Shame as Driving Forces:** The concept of honor (כָּבוֹד, _kavod_) and shame (בּוּשָׁה, _bushah_) was paramount in ancient Near Eastern societies. Hanun's actions were a deliberate attempt to shame David and his kingdom, an act so egregious it could not go unanswered without David himself losing face and authority. David's subsequent actions are driven by the need to restore the honor of his messengers and, by extension, his own and Israel's honor.
* **The Inevitability of Conflict:** The extreme nature of Hanun's insult made war unavoidable. This incident marks a turning point, demonstrating how personal affronts, especially those involving royal honor, could quickly escalate into large-scale military conflicts, shaping the trajectory of David's reign and his regional influence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Beards (זָקָן, _zaqen'_):** In ancient Israel and the wider Near East, the beard was a sacred symbol of masculinity, wisdom, honor, and social standing. It was meticulously cared for, and its defilement was a grave insult. For a man to have his beard shaved, especially half of it, was an act of profound humiliation, akin to being stripped of one's identity and reduced to a state of shame or servitude. This act was a deliberate public degradation, designed to dishonor the individual and, by extension, the sovereign they represented.
* **Garments (בֶּגֶד, _beged'_):** Clothing in the ancient world was more than mere covering; it signified social status, identity, and modesty. The act of cutting off one's garments, especially in a way that exposed the buttocks, was an extreme form of public shaming and indecent exposure. It stripped the individuals of their dignity and rendered them objects of ridicule and contempt, making them unfit to appear in public and forcing them to retreat in shame.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore Hanun took David's servants":** This clause establishes Hanun's direct responsibility for the ensuing actions. He is not merely allowing his princes to act, but actively takes charge, demonstrating his intent to personally oversee the humiliation of David's envoys. This highlights the deliberate and calculated nature of the insult.
* **"and shaved off the one half of their beards":** This describes the first, and perhaps most culturally significant, act of degradation. The shaving of half the beard was a calculated move to inflict maximum shame while leaving enough to highlight the defilement. It was a visible, undeniable mark of their disgrace, stripping them of their masculine honor and making them objects of public scorn.
* **"and cut off their garments in the middle, [even] to their buttocks":** This details the second, equally severe, act of humiliation. By cutting their tunics at the waist, their lower bodies were exposed, a profound violation of modesty and dignity in ancient society. This act rendered them naked and vulnerable, turning them into figures of ridicule and contempt, unfit to appear in any respectable setting.
* **"and sent them away":** The final action completes the cycle of disgrace. The messengers, now publicly shamed and disfigured, are expelled from Ammonite territory. This "sending away" is not a dismissal but a public expulsion, forcing them to return to David in their state of profound dishonor, thereby extending the insult directly to David and his kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of the insult. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the beard and garments are not merely physical objects but potent symbols of honor, identity, and status in ancient Near Eastern culture. Their defilement thus symbolizes the complete stripping away of dignity and respect. The actions described are a form of **Grotesque Realism**, vividly portraying the physical degradation to evoke a strong emotional response of shock and outrage. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as David's benevolent intentions are met with such cruel and unwarranted hostility, setting the stage for the inevitable conflict. The precise, almost clinical, description of the acts of mutilation emphasizes the deliberate and calculated nature of Hanun's affront, highlighting the profound **Violation** of diplomatic norms and personal dignity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of suspicion and the profound consequences of dishonoring others, especially those sent as representatives. Hanun's actions, born of paranoia and poor counsel, not only violated diplomatic protocol but also deeply offended the divine principle of treating others with dignity, a principle foundational to God's law. The narrative underscores that while God often calls for peace and reconciliation ([Romans 12:18](/romans/12-18 "Romans 12:18 - Live Peaceably with All")), there are times when severe affronts to honor and justice necessitate a firm response to prevent further contempt and to uphold the integrity of God's people. David's subsequent actions, while leading to war, were rooted in the need to protect the honor of his kingdom and to respond justly to an act of unprovoked aggression that mocked the very idea of respectful relations.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Psalm 105:15](/psalms/105-15 "Psalm 105:15 - Do Not Touch My Anointed Ones")
* [Isaiah 20:4](/isaiah/20-4 "Isaiah 20:4 - Shame of Egypt and Ethiopia")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Hanun's egregious insult to David's messengers offers profound lessons for contemporary life. It compels us to consider the devastating impact of misjudgment and the vital importance of seeking truth and wisdom before acting, rather than succumbing to unfounded suspicion or negative counsel. Hanun's rash decision, based on the paranoid advice of his princes, ignited a costly war that could have been avoided had he sought to verify David's intentions or simply returned the gesture with respect. This story also highlights the universal human need for dignity and the deep offense caused when it is violated. For believers, it serves as a powerful reminder of our call to honor all people, reflecting the inherent value God places on every individual, even those with whom we disagree. It challenges us to consider how our words and actions might unintentionally or intentionally dishonor others, and the far-reaching consequences of such choices in personal, communal, and even international relations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this story challenge my own tendency to act on suspicion or unverified information?**
* **In what ways might I, or my community, inadvertently cause shame or dishonor to others, and how can we prevent this?**
* **What does David's response to the humiliation of his servants teach me about standing up for dignity and justice, even when it is costly?**
* **How can I cultivate a spirit of honor and respect in my interactions, even with those who may be perceived as adversaries?**

### FAQ
**Why was shaving half a beard and cutting garments considered such a severe insult in ancient times?**

Answer: In the ancient Near East, a man's beard was a profound symbol of his honor, maturity, and social standing. To shave it off, especially half of it, was an act of extreme public humiliation, often associated with slavery, ritual impurity, or deep mourning. It stripped a man of his dignity and masculine identity. Similarly, garments were not just clothing but represented a person's status, modesty, and identity. Cutting them off "even to their buttocks" exposed the individual indecently, making them an object of ridicule and shame. Both acts were designed to utterly disgrace the individual and, by extension, the king or nation they represented, demonstrating profound contempt and hostility. Such an affront was universally understood as a direct challenge and an act of war, as it violated fundamental principles of diplomatic immunity and personal honor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While David's messengers endured profound humiliation at the hands of Hanun, their suffering foreshadows the ultimate and voluntary humiliation of Jesus Christ. Unlike David's servants, who were shamed against their will, Jesus willingly "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). He, the King of Glory, allowed Himself to be stripped of His garments and mocked ([Matthew 27:28-31](/matthew/27-28 "Matthew 27:28-31 - Jesus Mocked by Soldiers")), His face spat upon and His beard plucked ([Isaiah 50:6](/isaiah/50-6 "Isaiah 50:6 - The Suffering Servant")), enduring the ultimate public disgrace on the cross. This was not a diplomatic incident, but a divine act of identification with humanity's shame and sin. Where David's response to humiliation was war, Christ's response was redemptive suffering, absorbing the world's shame and offering forgiveness. Through His "sending away" from the presence of the Father on the cross, He secured our eternal acceptance and restored our dignity, transforming the deepest humiliation into the greatest victory ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 20:4

So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with [their] buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

Jeremiah 41:5

That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, [even] fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring [them] to the house of the LORD.

Isaiah 15:2

He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads [shall be] baldness, [and] every beard cut off.

1 Chronicles 19:3

But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?

1 Chronicles 19:4

Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.

Psalms 109:4

For my love they are my adversaries: but I [give myself unto] prayer.

Psalms 109:5

And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.