Hanun in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

1. Son of Nahash, king of Ammon 1037 B.C. David had in his outlawry by Saul received kindness from Nahash; naturally, as Nahash was (1 Samuel 11) Saul's enemy and neighbour of Moab with which David's descent from the Moabitess Ruth connected him. He therefore at Nahash's death sent a message of condolence to his son Hanun. As gratitude, kindness, and sympathy characterized David's conduct, so ingratitude, uncharitable suspiciousness, and insolent injustice characterized Hanun. Insulting the ambassadors (by shaving half the beard, which is a foul insult in oriental estimation, and cutting off their skirts) brought on himself and his country a disastrous war which ended in the capture of Rabbah and of the royal crown, and the cruelest retaliations on their fighting men of their own cruelties to Israel (2 Samuel 10; 2 Samuel 12:30-31; 1 Chronicles 19-20). 2. Nehemiah 3:13. 3. Nehemiah 3:30.