CHAP. X.
NAbash the King of the Ammonites being dead David sendeth an Ambassage * 1.1 to his sonne Hanun to comfort him for the kindnesse, which hee had formely received from his father, and as Josephus hath it, to signifie, that hee would continue in amity with him, and helpe him, if any enemy now at the beginning of his raigne should molest him. What kindnesse the old King had shewed to David, is not said. The Rabbines say, that when he left his father and mother and some other friends with the King of Moab, that King slew his father and mother, and then the King of Ammon did courteously receive the rest, that fled unto him. Jerom, that David himselfe fled unto him, before hee * 1.2 came to the cave of Odullam, and was kindely entertained. Comestor, that David went to him, when hee fled from Achish, and was kindely entertained. And David living now in peace set his minde upon requiting old kindnesses, which he had received at the hands of any, and therefore having done some∣what for Mephibosheth within the land, hee now sendeth out to requite another kindnesse. Whereas it is forbidden, to seeke the peace of the Ammonites for * 1.3 ever, against which David might seeme now to transgresse, the Rabbines say, that hee did, and was therefore punished with disgrace done to his Ambassa∣dours; but Tostatus, Martyr and others, that hee did herein nothing unlawfull. * 1.4 Hee was prevented with kindnesse before by the King of Ammon, it was there∣fore a point of gratitude in him, to seeke to requite it, hee onely shewed him∣selfe willing to continue in amity with this King, but not to make any league with him, which onely was unlawfull. Whereas ch: 8. 12. mention is made of spoiles taken from the children of Ammon, implying warres made before this against Ammon, and if so, how doth this ambassage rightly follow? Answ: That was spoken by anticipation, for the warre with Ammon was not made till afterwards upon the occasion here declared. For the kindnesse shewed by Nahash unto David, it is most probable that hee did it, because Saul, who persecuted David, was his deadly enemy, and his hatred was great against him ever since the overthrow, which hee had given him at Jabesh Gilead, there∣fore Saul being a common enemy to them both hee thought it fit to joyne in friendship with David against him.
This kindnesse of David being misconstrued by Hanuns servants, who su∣spected * 1.5 that hee sent to spy out the Citie, and to overthrow it, hee being very credulous, as if it had been so indeed, tooke Davids servants, and shaved off halfe their beards, and cut off their garments by the buttocks, and sent them away greatly ashamed. 1 Chron. 19. 4. it is said, bee shaved them, which may be