David and the Ammonites

19 After this, Nahash king of the Ammonites died, and his son became king in his place.

² David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father.

But when David’s officials came to the land of the Ammonites to console Hanun, ³ the officers of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Do you really think David is honoring your father because he has sent messengers to express sympathy to you? Haven’t his officials come to you as scouts to spy on the land and to overthrow it?”

⁴ So Hanun seized David’s officials, shaved them, and cut off their clothing up to the middle of their buttocks and sent them away.

⁵ After they were sent on their way, David received a report about these men. David sent messengers to meet them, for the men were deeply humiliated. The king said, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.”