Background and Reign:
Nahash was a king of the Ammonites, a people descended from Lot, the nephew of Abraham. The Ammonites occupied the region east of the Jordan River and were often in conflict with the Israelites. Nahash's reign is noted for its interactions with the early monarchy of Israel, particularly during the time of King Saul and King David.

Kindness to David:
Nahash is remembered for his kindness to David, the future king of Israel. This act of kindness is not detailed extensively in the biblical text, but it is significant enough to be noted in the narrative. In 2 Samuel 10:2 , David expresses his intention to show kindness to Hanun, the son of Nahash, because Nahash had shown kindness to him: "Then David said, 'I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.' So David sent a delegation to console him concerning his father."

The nature of Nahash's kindness to David is not explicitly described, but it suggests a diplomatic or personal relationship that was favorable to David during his time of need. This relationship may have been formed during David's years of fleeing from King Saul, when he sought refuge among various neighboring nations.

Death of Nahash:
The death of Nahash is mentioned in the context of David's continued diplomatic relations with the Ammonites. After Nahash's death, his son Hanun ascended to the throne. David's gesture of sending envoys to express condolences to Hanun was a customary act of diplomacy, reflecting the respect and goodwill that existed between David and Nahash.

However, this goodwill was not reciprocated by Hanun, who, influenced by his advisors, suspected David's intentions and humiliated the envoys. This act of disrespect led to a significant conflict between Israel and the Ammonites, as recorded in 2 Samuel 10:3-5 : "But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, 'Do you really think that David is honoring your father by sending you comforters? Has he not sent his envoys to explore the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?' So Hanun seized David’s envoys, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away."

Legacy:
Nahash's legacy is marked by his brief but notable interaction with David, which stands in contrast to the subsequent hostility initiated by his son Hanun. The kindness shown by Nahash to David highlights the complex relationships between Israel and its neighboring nations during the early monarchy period. Despite the eventual conflict, Nahash's initial goodwill towards David is a testament to the potential for peaceful relations amidst a history of enmity.2 Samuel 10:1,2
And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
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1 Chronicles 19:1,2
Now it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead.
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Does the Bible mention David's mother? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Ammonites? | GotQuestions.org

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