Hanun
Hanun, the Ammonite king, mistreated David's envoys, leading to a war between the Ammonites and Israel.
The name Hanun means “gracious; merciful”
MaleKingAmmonUnited Monarchy eraOld Testament2 books9 verses
Summary
A king of the Ammonites living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2 Samuel 10:1; only referred to as Hanun (חָנוּן); a son of Nahash.
Glossary entries
Family members
- Father
Alternative names
- חָנוּןHanun
Mentions
Includes 1 verse that refer to Hanun without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.
- Some time later, the king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son Hanun.
- And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites,
- …the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Has not David instead sent his servants to explore the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?”
- So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away.
- And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console Hanun concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him,
- …the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Have not his servants come to you to explore the land, spy it out, and overthrow it?”
- So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved their beards, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away.
- When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah.
- 1 Chronicles 19:7Referred to, not namedSo they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, as well as the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba while the Ammonites were mustered from their cities and marched out for battle.