191 And it cometh to pass after this, that Nahash king of the sons of Ammon dieth, and his son reigneth in his stead, 2 and David saith, 'I do kindness with Hanun son of Nahash, for his father did with me kindness;' and David sendeth messengers to comfort him concerning his father. And the servants of David come in unto the land of the sons of Ammon, unto Hanun, to comfort him, 3 and the heads of the sons of Ammon say to Hanun, 'Is David honouring thy father, in thine eyes, because he hath sent to thee comforters? in order to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out, the land, have not his servants come in unto thee?' 4 And Hanun taketh the servants of David, and shaveth them, and cutteth their long robes in the midst, unto the buttocks, and sendeth them away. 5 And 'some' go, and declare to David concerning the men, and he sendeth to meet them—for the men have been greatly ashamed—and the king saith, 'Dwell in Jericho till that your beard is grown, then ye have returned.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 19:1-5
Chapter Contents
David's wars.
The history is here repeated which we read 2 Samuel 10. The only safety of sinners consists in submitting to the Lord, seeking peace with him, and becoming his servants. Let us assist each other in a good cause; but let us fear lest, while made instruments of good to others, we should come short of salvation, through unbelief and sin.