Tarry at Jericho— As Jericho had not been rebuilt since the day on which it was miraculously overthrown, the king humanely judged that his ambassadors would be glad to conceal themselves to more advantage in the desolations of that city till their beards were grown. It should seem from the text, that the ambassadors had taken refuge there before David sent to them to tarry there. Possibly Jericho might have been then pretty much in the same condition in which Mr. Baumgarten found it in the beginning of the 15th century. He tells us, that Zaccheus's house was the only one then standing there, and even that without a roof. He then adds, "There are round about, about a dozen of small cottages, if I may properly call them so; for nothing of building is to be seen in them, being only fenced with tall hedges of thorns, having within a large place for cattle to stand and be shut up in: but in the middle they have huts or tents, where men used to shelter themselves and their goods from the inclemency of the sun and rain." See Churchill's Travels, vol. 1: p. 420.
REFLECTIONS.—When David sits on the throne of his kingdom, no former favours shewn him shall want a recompence.
1. He sends compliments of condolence to Hanun, the son of Nahash, king of the Ammonites, on his father's death, as mindful of the kindnesses which during his state of exile Nahash had shewn to him, not indeed out of love to Israel, but rather out of enmity to Saul: however, at that time they were to David very obliging, and he intended now to make an equal return. Note; (1.) We are not to scrutinise the motives from which good is done us; if we are relieved, we are bound to bless the friendly hand. (2.) It is kind to mourn with the afflicted, and by partaking to alleviate their sorrows.
2. The ambassadors meet with a very ill reception. Hanun might himself have treated them with dignity, as they deserved; but his suspicious courtiers suggested that they came on a base design, as spies: and Hanun, as kings are too often governed by their servants, hearkened to their insinuations, used the ambassadors most infamously, in violation of the law of nations, and sent them back with marks of the highest insult and contempt. Note; (1.) There are seldom wanting, in courts, flatterers who seek to instill poison, instead of wholesome counsel, into the ears of kings. (2.) A base mind is ever most suspicious. (3.) They who will be ambassadors for the Son of David must sometimes expect the like insult and ill usage, and have their messages of peace misconstrued into the vilest meaning.
3. David's concern for his ambassadors was as great as his resentment for the insolence against himself, thus affronted in their persons. He sends, therefore, to meet them, and appoints them a retirement at Jericho. Note; (1.) Patience will wear off many reproaches; and time, the great revealer of truth, rescue the injured from the cruel and unjust aspersions of their defamers. (2.) It has been the lot of many an innocent man under calumny to be driven into obscurity, whose righteousness will by and by shine as the light.