So Hanun seized David’s
envoys, shaved them, cut off their garments at the buttocks, and sent them
away.
When
someone came and told David about the men, he sent messengers to meet them, for
they were greatly humiliated. The king said, “Stay at Jericho till your beards
have grown, and then come back.” 1 Chronicles
19:4-5
Beards were an
important part of the Middle East culture (still are). Shaving one, back then, brought attention to
them and apparently ridicule. 2 Samuel
10 said they were greatly humiliated so the beards were important along with
the horror of exposing their private parts.
Leviticus 14 and
19 reveal commands from God to not shave or trim their beards so it was
especially important to people in Israel.
The Ammonites may have known this way to bring shame to an Israelite.
Today shaving
beards and our heads may bring some attention but certainly not the level of
humiliation back then. But, imagine our
Secretary of State going to another county and them shaving him by force and
cutting up his clothes. It would
certainly cause war even today.