And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
Ver. 1. The king of the children of Ammon died.] Death is the only king "against whom there is no rising up." as it is in Proverbs 30:31. Nugus, king of Scythia, slighted certain precious presents sent him by Michal Paleologus, the Emperor, asking whether they could drive away sickness and death; for if so, then they would be worth the receiving. a
And Hanun his son reigned in his stead.] Or, Chanun. The Greek hath it Annon: a good name, as signifying Gracious, but ill bestowed. There was an ancient Latin poet, contemporary with Virgil and Ovid, called Gratius the Faliseian; he bore a high esteem in that pure age. But this king carried grace in his name only, as did Ptolomeus Euergetes, Antiochus Epiphanes, and some princes and popes.
a Pachym., Hist., lib. v.