Nahash

About Nahash Written by AI

Nahash, mentioned in 2Samuel 10 and 1Chronicles 19, was the king of the Ammonites during the reign of King David of Israel. He was the father of Hanun, who succeeded him as king. The biblical account reveals that Nahash had shown kindness to David at some point in the past, although the specific nature of this kindness is not elaborated upon. After Nahash's death, David sent envoys to express his condolences to Hanun and to offer his continued goodwill towards the Ammonite kingdom. However, Hanun's advisors convinced him that David's envoys were actually spies, sent to gather intelligence in preparation for an invasion. Acting on this suspicion, Hanun humiliated David's envoys by shaving off half of their beards and cutting their garments short at the buttocks, a grave insult in ancient Near Eastern culture. When David learned of this mistreatment, he was deeply offended. The incident escalated tensions between Israel and the Ammonites, ultimately leading to a war between the two nations. David's army, led by his commander Joab, defeated the Ammonites and their Syrian allies in a series of battles. The account of Nahash and his son Hanun highlights the complex diplomatic relationships between Israel and its neighbors during the reign of King David. It also demonstrates the importance of showing respect and maintaining good relations with allies, as well as the consequences of misunderstandings.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Nahash, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

Serpent. (1.) King of the Ammonites in the time of Saul. The inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead having been exposed to great danger from Nahash, sent messengers to Gibeah to inform Saul of their extremity. He promptly responded to the call, and gathering together an army he marched against Nahash. “And it came to pass that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them [the Ammonites] were not left together” (1 Sam. 11:1-11).

(2.) Another king of the Ammonites of the same name is mentioned, who showed kindness to David during his wanderings (2 Sam. 10:2). On his death David sent an embassy of sympathy to Hanun, his son and successor, at Rabbah Ammon, his capital. The grievous insult which was put upon these ambassadors led to a war against the Ammonites, who, with their allies the Syrians, were completely routed in a battle fought at “the entering in of the gate,” probably of Medeba (2 Sam. 10:6-14). Again Hadarezer rallied the Syrian host, which was totally destroyed by the Israelite army under Joab in a decisive battle fought at Helam (2 Sam. 10:17), near to Hamath (1 Chr. 18:3). “So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more” (2 Sam. 10:19).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.