Nahash

About Nahash Written by AI

Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, is mentioned in 2 Samuel 17:27 as one of the individuals who provided support to King David and his followers during their time in Mahanaim. This event took place during Absalom's rebellion against David, when the king was forced to flee from Jerusalem. As David and his entourage arrived in Mahanaim, a city east of the Jordan River, they were met by several individuals who brought supplies, including beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese. Among these supporters was Nahash, the king of the Ammonites. The assistance provided by Nahash and the others was crucial for David and his followers, who were in need of provisions and support during this challenging time. The fact that Nahash, a foreign king, offered aid to David suggests that there may have been a positive diplomatic relationship between the Ammonites and Israel at this point in David's reign. It is worth noting that there are other mentions of a king named Nahash of the Ammonites in the biblical text (1Samuel 11; 2Samuel 10), but it is unclear whether the Nahash mentioned in 2 Samuel 17:27 is the same individual or a different Ammonite king with the same name. The context of this passage focuses solely on Nahash's role in providing support to David during Absalom's rebellion.

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.