Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

1 CHRONICLES 19:5KJV
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1 Chronicles 19:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 19:5 mean?

1 Chronicles 19:5 describes how David responded when he learned that his messengers had been humiliated by having their beards shaved and their clothes cut. David told the shamed men to stay in Jericho until their beards grew back, allowing them to recover their dignity before returning.

The verse takes place after David’s men were mistreated by the Ammonites, who saw their visit as a threat. David, as king, shows concern for his men’s honor and emotional state. In the culture of the time, a man’s beard was a symbol of respect and identity, so being forced to shave it was deeply humiliating. David’s instruction to wait in Jericho shows his sensitivity and care for their reputation.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 19:5

  • "ashamed" (נָכָם, bosh): This word (H3637, bosh) means to be deeply humiliated or disgraced. In this context, it highlights how severe the insult was—this was not a minor embarrassment, but a public shaming.
  • "beards" (זָקָן, zaqan): The beard (H2206, zaqan) in ancient Israelite culture was a sign of manhood and honor. Losing it by force was a serious insult, which explains why David took the matter so seriously.
  • "Tarry" (יָשַׁב, yashav): This word (H3427, yashav) means to remain or dwell. David’s instruction to "tarry at Jericho" was not just about waiting, but about giving the men a safe place to recover before facing others again.

Why 1 Chronicles 19:5 matters

  • The verse shows David’s compassion and leadership, emphasizing that he cared for the personal dignity of his men, not just their usefulness.
  • It helps readers understand the cultural importance of beards and public honor in the ancient Near East, making sense of why this incident was so serious.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing the breakdown in relations between Israel and Ammon, setting the stage for the conflict that follows.

Where else these words appear

“beards” Hebrew H2206 · used in 18 verses

  • Leviticus 13:29 If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;
  • 1 Samuel 17:35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
  • Psalms 133:2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

“grown” Hebrew H6779 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 2:5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
  • 2 Samuel 23:5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
  • Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

“ashamed” Hebrew H3637 · used in 38 verses

  • Numbers 12:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
  • Psalms 35:4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
  • Isaiah 54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

“Jericho” Hebrew H3405 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 22:1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
  • Joshua 4:19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
  • Joshua 18:12 And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Bethaven.