References (7)
Then the Ammonite Nahash came up and encamped against Javesh-Gilead [probably Tell Maqlub along the Javis River]. Then all the men of Javesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you." [The Ammonites had been fighting the Israelites over the area east of the Jordan River for a long time, see .]
And the Ammonite Nahash said to them, "On this condition I will make a covenant with you, that everyone's right eye be put out, and I will put it as a reproach on all Israel." [Mutilating enemies was common among pagan peoples, see ; . The people would be able to see enough to function as laborers, but would be unable to become skilled warriors and revolt.]
And when you saw that Nahash, king of the Ammonites, was coming against you [], you said to me, 'A king shall reign over us,' even though the Lord your God (Yahweh Elohim) is your king.
And David said, "I will show mercy (caring love – Hebr. chesed) [keep my covenant] to Nahash the son of Chanon in the same way that he showed mercy (Hebr. chesed) [was loyal] to me." So David sent gifts by the hands of his servants to comfort him after the death of his father. And David's servants came to the land of the Ammonites.
And it came to pass, when David came to Mahanaim, that Shobi, the son of Nahash, from Rabbah of the land of the Ammonites, and Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-Debar, and Barzillai, the Gileadite, from Rogelim,
Some time later, Nahash, king of the Ammonites, died, and his son succeeded him as king.
Then David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun, the son of Nahash, because his father showed me kindness (caring love—Hebr. chesed)." So David sent messengers to comfort him in his grief over his father. When David's servants came to the land of the Ammonites to comfort Hanun,
