2 Samuel 10:5

KJV

When they told [it] unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and [then] return.

KJV (with Strong's)

When they told {H5046} it unto David {H1732}, he sent {H7971} to meet {H7125} them, because the men {H582} were greatly {H3966} ashamed {H3637}: and the king {H4428} said {H559}, Tarry {H3427} at Jericho {H3405} until your beards {H2206} be grown {H6779}, and then return {H7725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On hearing how they had been treated, David sent a delegation to meet them, because the men had been deeply humiliated. The king said, "Stay in Yericho until your beards have grown back, and then return."

Berean Standard Bible

When this was reported to David, he sent messengers to meet the men, since they had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.”

American Standard Version

When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 10:5 details King David's compassionate and strategically wise response to his ambassadors, who had been severely humiliated by Hanun, the king of Ammon. Upon learning of their public disgrace—their beards shaved and garments cut—David immediately dispatched messengers to intercept them, recognizing their profound shame. He then instructed them to remain in Jericho until their beards had regrown, thereby providing a period of seclusion and restoration of dignity before their return to the royal court in Jerusalem. This act underscores David's empathetic leadership and practical wisdom in caring for his people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative following a significant diplomatic affront. David, seeking to extend kindness to Hanun, the new king of Ammon, in memory of his father Nahash, sent ambassadors to offer condolences ([2 Samuel 10:1-2](/2_samuel/10-1 "2 Samuel 10:1-2 - David's Kindness to Hanun")). However, Hanun, swayed by his suspicious princes who misinterpreted David's intentions as espionage, subjected these ambassadors to an extreme act of public humiliation: shaving off half their beards and cutting their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks ([2 Samuel 10:4](/2_samuel/10-4 "2 Samuel 10:4 - Hanun's Disgraceful Act")). This act was not merely rude; it was a deliberate and profound insult designed to shame David's representatives and, by extension, David himself and the entire nation of Israel. David's immediate and empathetic response in 2 Samuel 10:5 sets the stage for the inevitable conflict that follows, as such an egregious insult could not go unanswered ([2 Samuel 10:6](/2_samuel/10-6 "2 Samuel 10:6 - The Ammonites Prepare for War")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, particularly among Semitic peoples, a man's beard was an extremely potent symbol of honor, dignity, maturity, and masculinity. To shave off half of it was an act of profound public degradation, akin to a criminal's branding or a slave's mutilation. Furthermore, cutting off the ambassadors' garments to expose their nakedness was an additional layer of public shame, designed to strip them of all personal and national dignity. Such an act was considered an unpardonable insult, often a direct provocation to war. David's instruction to "tarry at Jericho" was also culturally significant. Jericho, though destroyed in Joshua's time, had been rebuilt and was a city of some prominence in the Jordan Valley, strategically located away from the immediate public gaze of Jerusalem. It provided a convenient and relatively secluded place for the ambassadors to recover their physical appearance and, by extension, their social standing, before facing the court and the general populace. This demonstrates David's understanding of the cultural weight of their humiliation and his desire to restore their honor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully highlights several key themes central to the book of Samuel and biblical wisdom. Firstly, the theme of **shame and honor** is paramount; the ambassadors' "great" shame underscores the cultural significance of their disfigurement and the deep wound to their dignity. Secondly, David's response exemplifies **compassionate and wise leadership**. Instead of immediately demanding their return to Jerusalem, which would have compounded their humiliation, David prioritizes their well-being and reputation, demonstrating empathy and practical foresight. His decision to send them to Jericho provides a necessary period of **restoration and patience**, allowing physical healing (beard regrowth) and emotional recovery before they could resume their public roles. This act of grace from David stands in stark contrast to Hanun's cruel and short-sighted actions, foreshadowing the just retribution that would follow as a consequence of such a grave insult to David's kingdom and its representatives ([2 Samuel 10:6-19](/2_samuel/10-6 "2 Samuel 10:6-19 - War with Ammon and Syria")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"Greatly ashamed" (Hebrew, _bōshu me'ōd'_):** The Hebrew verb _bōsh_ means to be ashamed, confounded, or put to shame. The intensifier _me'ōd_ ("greatly," "very much") emphasizes the profound depth of the humiliation experienced by the ambassadors. This was not a minor embarrassment but a soul-crushing disgrace that stripped them of their public and personal honor, leaving them feeling utterly disgraced and exposed.
* **"Tarry" (Hebrew, _yeshbu'_):** Derived from the verb _yashab_, meaning "to sit," "to dwell," or "to remain." In this context, it signifies a command to reside or stay for an extended period. David's directive was not for a brief stop but for a prolonged period of seclusion, emphasizing the necessity of time for complete physical and psychological recovery from their ordeal.
* **"Beards be grown" (Hebrew, _yizqān_):** The verb _zaqan_ specifically refers to the growing of a beard, highlighting the central role of the beard as a symbol of a man's dignity and maturity in ancient Israelite culture. The regrowth of the beard was synonymous with the restoration of their honor and their readiness to re-enter public life without the visible marks of their humiliation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When they told [it] unto David":** This phrase emphasizes the immediate communication of the ambassadors' plight to the king. The speed with which the news reached David highlights the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a royal response.
* **"he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed":** David's swift and proactive response. He didn't wait for them to arrive in Jerusalem in their disgraced state but dispatched a delegation to intercept them. This action demonstrates his deep empathy and understanding of the profound shame the men felt, seeking to shield them from further public humiliation.
* **"and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and [then] return":** This is David's wise and compassionate directive. By commanding them to stay in Jericho, a city away from the capital, David provided a safe, private space for them to recover physically and mentally. The specific instruction to wait "until your beards be grown" underscores the cultural importance of the beard as a symbol of honor and dignity, signifying that their full restoration was paramount before their return to court.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Contrast** is evident in the stark difference between Hanun's cruel and dishonorable treatment of David's ambassadors and David's empathetic and honorable response. Hanun's actions are driven by suspicion and malice, leading to degradation, while David's are motivated by compassion and wisdom, leading to restoration. **Symbolism** plays a crucial role, with the beard serving as a potent symbol of a man's honor, dignity, and social standing. Its mutilation is a symbolic assault on the very identity and integrity of the men and, by extension, the kingdom they represent. Jericho itself functions as a symbolic place of refuge and healing, a temporary sanctuary for those in disgrace. Finally, the narrative employs **foreshadowing**, as the profound insult and David's protective response clearly set the stage for the inevitable military conflict that follows, indicating that such a grave affront to national honor could not be ignored ([2 Samuel 10:6-19](/2_samuel/10-6 "2 Samuel 10:6-19 - War with Ammon and Syria")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's response in 2 Samuel 10:5 transcends mere political strategy; it embodies a profound theological principle of caring for the shamed and restoring dignity, reflecting God's own character. Just as God often provides a "refuge" or "resting place" for His people in times of distress, David provides a physical and emotional sanctuary for his disgraced ambassadors. This act of compassionate leadership highlights the biblical emphasis on empathy, patience, and the process of healing and restoration. It reminds us that true care involves not just addressing immediate needs but also working towards the full recovery of a person's self-worth and standing, mirroring God's desire to redeem and restore fallen humanity.

* [Psalm 147:3](/psalms/147-3 "Psalm 147:3 - Healing the Brokenhearted")
* [Galatians 6:2](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bearing Burdens")
* [Proverbs 27:21](/proverbs/27-21 "Proverbs 27:21 - Honor and Shame")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's immediate and empathetic response to his humiliated ambassadors provides a powerful model for how we, as individuals and communities, should respond to those who have experienced deep shame or trauma. In a world where public shaming, whether online or in person, is unfortunately common, David's actions call us to cultivate a posture of compassion rather than judgment. He didn't demand their immediate return to parade their disgrace, nor did he dismiss their feelings. Instead, he recognized their profound shame and wisely provided a safe space and sufficient time for healing and restoration. This teaches us the vital importance of offering grace, privacy, and practical support to those who are hurting, allowing them to recover their dignity at their own pace. True care involves not just physical provision but also the sensitive nurturing of emotional and psychological well-being, enabling a full return to wholeness and confidence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's immediate response to the ambassadors' shame challenge our typical reactions to others' humiliation or embarrassment?**
* **In what ways can we, like David, create "Jericho" spaces—physical or emotional—for those in our lives who are experiencing deep shame or trauma?**
* **What does it truly mean to restore someone's dignity, beyond just addressing their immediate physical needs?**
* **How can we cultivate greater empathy in our leadership roles, whether in family, church, or community, following David's example?**

### FAQ
**Why was shaving half the beard so insulting in ancient culture?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern societies, particularly among Israelites, a man's beard was a sacred symbol of honor, dignity, maturity, and even religious identity. Levitical law even prohibited shaving the corners of the beard ([Leviticus 19:27](/leviticus/19-27 "Leviticus 19:27 - Law on Beards")). To have half of one's beard shaved off was not merely a cosmetic alteration but a profound act of public mutilation and disgrace, designed to strip a man of his social standing and personal honor. It was akin to public branding or a deliberate act of war, meant to humiliate and provoke. This act, combined with cutting their garments to expose them, was the ultimate insult, signaling contempt for the individuals and the king they represented.

**Why did David send them to Jericho specifically?**

Answer: David's choice of Jericho was both practical and compassionate. Jericho, while rebuilt, was located in the Jordan Valley, away from the immediate public scrutiny of Jerusalem, the capital. This provided a degree of seclusion and privacy necessary for the ambassadors to recover from their profound humiliation. It allowed them to avoid the public gaze while their beards regrew, thereby restoring their physical appearance and, crucially, their sense of dignity and honor before they had to face the royal court and the general populace. It was a strategic decision that prioritized the well-being and restoration of his men, demonstrating David's wisdom and empathy as a leader.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's compassionate act of providing a place of refuge and restoration for his shamed ambassadors beautifully foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ. While David could only offer a temporary Jericho and a physical restoration of dignity, Jesus Christ offers a complete and eternal restoration from the deepest shame of sin. He is the ultimate compassionate King who did not shy away from those who were publicly disgraced or outcast, but instead drew near to them, offering healing and acceptance (e.g., [Luke 7:36-50](/luke/7-36 "Luke 7:36-50 - Jesus and the Sinful Woman") with the sinful woman, or [Luke 19:1-10](/luke/19-1 "Luke 19:1-10 - Jesus and Zacchaeus") with Zacchaeus). Indeed, Christ Himself bore the ultimate shame, being stripped, mocked, and crucified outside the city gates, becoming a public spectacle of humiliation ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation"); [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Faith")). Through His sacrifice, He takes away our shame and guilt, clothing us in His righteousness and restoring our true dignity as children of God ([Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Isaiah 61:10 - Garments of Salvation"); [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God")). He provides the ultimate "Jericho"—a place of rest, healing, and profound peace for all who are weary and burdened by the weight of sin and shame, promising that in Him, we will find true rest for our souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")).

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

1 Chronicles 19:5

Then there went [certain], and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and [then] return.

Joshua 6:24

And they burnt the city with fire, and all that [was] therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.

Joshua 6:26

And Joshua adjured [them] at that time, saying, Cursed [be] the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it.

1 Kings 16:34

In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest [son] Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.