When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

2 SAMUEL 10:5KJV
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2 Samuel 10:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 10:5 mean?

2 Samuel 10:5 describes how King David responded with kindness and sensitivity to his men after they were publicly humiliated by having their beards shaved. David told them to stay in Jericho until their beards grew back, allowing them time to recover their dignity before returning.

In this verse, David is speaking to his own men, who had been shamed by the Ammonites as an act of insult. In the culture of ancient Israel, a man's beard was a symbol of honor and masculinity, so shaving it was a deep disgrace. David’s instruction to wait in Jericho shows his understanding of their shame and his desire to protect them from further embarrassment.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 10:5

  • "ashamed" (כָּלֵם, kalem): This word means to be deeply humiliated or disgraced. The verse emphasizes the emotional impact of the insult on David’s men, showing that their shame was not minor but very significant.
  • "Tarry" (יָשַׁב, yashav): This word means to sit, dwell, or remain. David’s instruction to "tarry at Jericho" is not just about waiting, but about giving them a safe place to stay until they could regain their honor.
  • "beards" (זָקָן, zaqan): The beard in this context is a symbol of personal and social identity. The focus on the beard highlights why the men felt so ashamed and why David’s response was so considerate.

Why 2 Samuel 10:5 matters

  • This verse clears up that David was not punishing his men for what happened, but instead was protecting their dignity and showing compassion for their feelings.
  • It highlights the importance of honor and public image in ancient Israelite society, especially for men serving the king.
  • The verse connects to the wider story by showing David’s leadership style—he cares for his people and responds thoughtfully to their needs, even in difficult situations.

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.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:5 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.
  • 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.