Nahash
“Serpent”
Summary
Nahash was a king of the Ammonites whose cruel demands upon Jabesh-gilead led to Saul's first military victory, and who later showed kindness to David during his persecution.
☩Attack on Jabesh-gilead
At the beginning of Saul's reign, Nahash the Ammonite besieged Jabesh-gilead in the trans-Jordanic territory. When the inhabitants sued for peace and offered to serve him as tributaries, Nahash cruelly demanded that he thrust out the right eye of every man as 'a reproach upon all Israel.' The citizens obtained a seven-day truce and sent messengers to Gibeah to appeal for help. This crisis provided the occasion for Saul's first military action as king, when he rallied all Israel and decisively defeated the Ammonites.
☩Kindness to David
The Nahash who showed kindness to David during his wanderings was probably the same person, or his son of the same name. When Nahash died, David sent ambassadors to his son Hanun to express condolence, because 'his father shewed kindness to me.' This kindness may have occurred during David's persecution by Saul, when the Ammonite king, like Achish of Gath, may have found it politically advantageous to befriend Saul's enemy. Jewish tradition suggests Nahash protected one of David's brothers when his family was endangered.
☩Shobi Son of Nahash
During Absalom's rebellion, 'Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon' was one of three chieftains who brought provisions to David at Mahanaim. Despite the terrible war between David and the Ammonites under Hanun, there remained those in Ammon who were well-disposed toward David, honoring the earlier friendship between the two houses.
Related Verses10 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Nahash," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VI (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Nahash," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Nahash," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).