1 Chronicles 19:5

Verse

When someone came and told David about his men, he sent messengers to meet them, since the men had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.”

American Standard Version (1901)

Then there went certain persons, 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.

Bible in Basic English

Then certain men went and gave David word of what had been done to them. And he sent out with the purpose of meeting them; for the men were greatly shamed. And the king said, Keep where you are at Jericho till your hair is long again, and then come back.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And when they were gone, they sent word to David, who sent to meet them (for they had suffered a great affront) and ordered them to stay at Jericho till their beards grew and then to return.

Free Bible Version

A message was sent to David to explain what had happened to the men. David then sent messengers to the men to tell them, “Stay at Jericho until your beards grow, and then you can come back.”

Geneva Bible 1599

And there went certaine and tolde Dauid concerning the men: and he sent to meete them (for the men were exceedingly ashamed) and the King saide, Tarie at Iericho, vntill your beardes be growen: then returne.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

The officials were greatly humiliated/ashamed. When David found out about what had happened to his officials, he sent some messengers to them to tell them, “Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown again, and then return home.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

When they explained this to David, he sent to meet with them, for the men were deeply ashamed. The king said, “Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.”

Noah Webster Bible

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 are grown, and then return.

World English Bible

Then some people went and told David how the men were treated. He sent to meet them; for the men were greatly humiliated. The king said, “Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.”

Young's Literal Translation

And [some] go, and declare to David concerning the men, and he sendeth to meet them — for the men have been greatly ashamed — and the king saith, 'Dwell in Jericho till that your beard is grown, then ye have returned.'

Context

David’s Messengers Disgraced

⁴So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved their beards, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away.⁵When someone came and told David about his men, he sent messengers to meet them, since the men had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.”

Summary

This verse recounts the disrespectful treatment of David's messengers by the Ammonite king, Hanun, who shamed them by shaving off half of their beards and cutting off their garments at the buttocks. Such actions were not only dishonorable but also a grave insult in the ancient Near Eastern culture, signifying humiliation and disgrace. This incident ultimately led to a war between the Ammonites and Israel, highlighting the consequences of pride, disrespect, and aggression in human interactions. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of diplomacy, respect, and kindness in dealing with others to avoid unnecessary conflicts and hostilities.

Commentary