To search the city. — The capital, and almost the only city of the Ammonites was Rabbah; it was strongly fortified, and a knowledge of its interior would be important to an enemy. The suspicions of the Ammonites may have been roused by David’s growing power, and especially by his conquest of the neighbouring Moabites.
Related Commentaries of 2 Samuel 10:3
2 Samuel 10:3
3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkesta thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?