And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.

1 CHRONICLES 19:2KJV
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1 Chronicles 19:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 19:2 mean?

1 Chronicles 19:2 describes King David deciding to show kindness to Hanun, the new king of the Ammonites, because Hanun’s father, Nahash, had previously shown kindness to David. David sends messengers to Hanun to comfort him after his father’s death, as a gesture of goodwill.

In this verse, David is acting as king of Israel and responding to the death of Nahash, the Ammonite king. David remembers Nahash’s past kindness and tries to maintain a friendly relationship by reaching out to Nahash’s son, Hanun, during his time of mourning. The verse sets the stage for the events that follow, showing David’s intention to build or maintain peaceful ties with neighboring nations.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 19:2

  • חֶסֶד (chesed): This word, translated as “kindness,” often means steadfast love, loyalty, or mercy. David’s action is not just polite; it reflects a deep sense of loyalty and gratitude for past help.
  • נָחַם (nacham): This word, translated as “comfort,” carries the idea of consoling someone in grief. David’s messengers are sent specifically to express sympathy and support, not just to deliver a formal message.
  • מַלְאָךְ (mal’akh): The word for “messengers” can also mean “angels” or “envoys.” Here, it emphasizes that David is sending official representatives, showing the seriousness and respect behind his gesture.

Why 1 Chronicles 19:2 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David’s initial approach to the Ammonites was peaceful and based on gratitude, not aggression or suspicion.
  • The emphasis on kindness (chesed) highlights the importance of loyalty and remembering past relationships, which is a recurring theme in David’s life and in the broader biblical narrative.
  • Understanding David’s intentions in this verse helps explain the misunderstanding and conflict that unfolds in the following verses, showing that the later hostility was not David’s original plan.