Introduction:
Hanun is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily known for his interactions with King David. He was the son of Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, and his actions led to significant conflict between the Ammonites and Israel.

Biblical References:
Hanun is prominently featured in two parallel accounts in the Bible: 2 Samuel 10 and 1 Chronicles 19. These passages provide insight into his character and the events that unfolded during his reign.

Background:
Hanun ascended to the throne of the Ammonites after the death of his father, Nahash. Nahash had previously shown kindness to David, which prompted David to send a delegation to express his condolences and maintain friendly relations with the Ammonites.

The Incident with David's Envoys:
In 2 Samuel 10:1-2 , it is recorded: "Some time later, the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun reigned in his place. And David said, 'I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.' So David sent his servants to console Hanun concerning his father."

However, Hanun's advisors suspected David's intentions, suggesting that the envoys were spies. Influenced by this counsel, Hanun humiliated David's servants by shaving off half of their beards and cutting their garments at the hips, sending them back in disgrace (2 Samuel 10:3-4).

Consequences of Hanun's Actions:
Hanun's actions led to a severe diplomatic incident. David, upon learning of the humiliation of his envoys, instructed them to stay in Jericho until their beards grew back (2 Samuel 10:5). This act of disrespect escalated tensions, leading to war between Israel and the Ammonites.

The Ammonite War:
In response to the impending threat from Israel, Hanun allied with other regional powers, including the Arameans, to bolster his military strength. Despite these efforts, the coalition was defeated by David's forces, led by Joab and Abishai (2 Samuel 10:6-14).

Further Conflict and Defeat:
The conflict continued as the Arameans regrouped and were again defeated by David's army. The Ammonites, left vulnerable, faced further attacks from Israel. Eventually, David's forces besieged the Ammonite capital, Rabbah, leading to its capture (2 Samuel 12:26-31).

Legacy:
Hanun's decision to humiliate David's envoys had far-reaching consequences, resulting in the loss of Ammonite independence and the subjugation of their people. His account serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of wise counsel and the potential repercussions of rash decisions.

Conclusion:
Hanun's interactions with David highlight the complexities of ancient Near Eastern diplomacy and the fragile nature of alliances. His account is a reminder of the importance of discernment and the potential for conflict when trust is broken.Hanun

gracious; merciful

Hanun

(favored).

1. Son of Nahash (2 Samuel 10:1,2; 1 Chronicles 19:1,2) king of Ammon, who dishonored the ambassadors of David, (2 Samuel 10:4) and involved the Ammonites in a disastrous war, (2 Samuel 12:31; 1 Chronicles 19:6) (B.C. 1035.)
2. A man who, with the people of Zanoah, repaired the ravine gate in the wall of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 3:13) (B.C. 446).
3. The sixth son of Zalalph, who also assisted in the repair of the wall, apparently on the east side. (Nehemiah 3:30) (B.C. 446.)

Hanun

A king of the Ammonites, whose father Nahash had befriended David in his early troubles. Upon the death of Nahash, David sent an embassage to condole with his son. The shameful treatment received by these ambassadors led to a destructive war upon the Ammonites, 2 Samuel 10:1 19; 1 Chronicles 19:1-19.

Graciously given.

(1.) The son and successor of Nahash, king of Moab. David's messengers, sent on an embassy of condolence to him to Rabbah Ammon, his capital, were so grossly insulted that he proclaimed war against Hanun. David's army, under the command of Joab, forthwith crossed the Jordan, and gained a complete victory over the Moabites and their allies (2 Samuel 10:1-14) at Medeba (q.v.).

(2.) Nehemiah 3:13.

(3.) 3:30.

HANUN

ha'-nun (chanun, "favored," "pitied"):

(1) A son and successor of Nahash, king of Ammon. Upon the death of Nahash, David sent sympathetic communications to Hanun, which were misinterpreted and the messengers dishonored. Because of this indignity, David waged a war against him, which caused the Ammonites to lose their independence (2 Samuel 10:1 1 Chronicles 19:1).

(2) One of the six sons of Zalaph who assisted in repairing the East wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:30).

(3) One of the inhabitants of Zanoah who repaired the Valley Gate in the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:13).

Byron H. Dement

2586. Chanun -- "favored," two contemporaries of Nehemiah, also an ...
... "favored," two contemporaries of Nehemiah, also an Ammonite king. Transliteration:
Chanun Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-noon') Short Definition: Hanun. ... Hanun. ...
/hebrew/2586.htm - 6k

Persistency in Wrong Doing.
... So David said, "I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father
showed kindness unto me." And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his ...
/.../xliii persistency in wrong doing.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... other. As long as Nahash lived, there was peace between him and David.
But with the accession of his son Hanun came a change. The ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Voluntary Suffering
... The beard was in those times accounted honourable; and when David and his servants
were shaven by the command of Hanun, they were ashamed to be seen. ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xviii voluntary suffering.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion ...
... You come next to my ninth argument, and serve it as Hanun served David's servants
(2 Samuel 10:4), you have cut off one half of its beard, and its garments to ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/differences in judgment about water.htm

Hanun (10 Occurrences)
... David's messengers, sent on an embassy of condolence to him to Rabbah Ammon, his
capital, were so grossly insulted that he proclaimed war against Hanun. ...HANUN. ...
/h/hanun.htm - 11k

Sympathy (15 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his
father showed kindness to me." So David sent by his servants to comfort him ...
/s/sympathy.htm - 12k

Express (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his
father showed kindness to me." So David sent by his servants to comfort him ...
/e/express.htm - 12k

Nahash (9 Occurrences)
... same name is mentioned, who showed kindness to David during his wanderings (2 Samuel
10:2). On his death David sent an embassy of sympathy to Hanun, his son ...
/n/nahash.htm - 14k

Delegation (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his
father showed kindness to me." So David sent by his servants to comfort him ...
/d/delegation.htm - 8k

Zalaph (1 Occurrence)
... ZALAPH. za'-laf (tsalaph, "caper-plant"): Father of Hanun, one of the repairers
of the wall (Nehemiah 3:30). Multi-Version Concordance Zalaph (1 Occurrence). ...
/z/zalaph.htm - 7k

Loyally (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 19:2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash,
because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to comfort ...
/l/loyally.htm - 8k

Explore (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord,
"Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to ...
/e/explore.htm - 11k

Buttocks (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 10:4 So Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their
beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks ...
/b/buttocks.htm - 7k

Console (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 19:2 And David said: 'l will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash,
because his father showed kindness to me.' So David sent messengers to ...
/c/console.htm - 8k

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