(2) Nahash Samuel omits, but adds "Hanun." The omissions in each are perhaps accidental. Saul's first campaign was against Nahash (1 Samuel 11).

Children of Ammon.--Sons of Ammon, like "sons of Israel." The title calls attention to their tribal organisation.

Because.--For. Samuel, "according as."

Shewed kindness to me.--The Hebrew phrase, which answers to the Greek of Luke 1:72. (See Revised Version.)

The rest of the verse is made more perspicuous than in 2Samuel 10:2 by slight changes and additions.

Verse 2. - Because his father showed kindness to me. The instance of kindness here alluded to is not recorded. There may have been many opportunities and calls for it during David's persecuted life, and when the Ammonite king would feel a motive beyond any intrinsic goodness of heart to "show kindness" to the youth who was Saul's object of hatred. It is, however, very remarkable that we find a genuine kindliness towards David still cleaving to the succession of Ammonite kings, even after the events of this chapter (2 Samuel 17:27-29). Hanna. Nothing else is known of this Hanun. Though here the name of an Ammonite king, we find it in Nehemiah 3:13, 30, the name of two of those who helped repair the city. The Assyrian Inscriptions contain the name as that of a Philistine king, tributary to Tiglath-pileser (see 'Speaker's Commentary').

19:1-19 David's wars. - The history is here repeated which we read 2Sa 10. The only safety of sinners consists in submitting to the Lord, seeking peace with him, and becoming his servants. Let us assist each other in a good cause; but let us fear lest, while made instruments of good to others, we should come short of salvation, through unbelief and sin.See Chapter Introduction