Verse 3

He removed the city’s residents and made them labor with saws, iron picks, and axes. This was his policy with all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem.

Referenced Verses

  • Exod 1:14 : 14 They made their lives bitter by hard service with mortar and bricks and by all kinds of service in the fields. Every kind of service the Israelites were required to give was rigorous.
  • Josh 9:23 : 23 Now you are condemned to perpetual servitude as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
  • Judg 8:6-7 : 6 The officials of Succoth said,“You have not yet overpowered Zebah and Zalmunna. So why should we give bread to your army?” 7 Gideon said,“Since you will not help, after the LORD hands Zebah and Zalmunna over to me, I will thresh your skin with desert thorns and briers.”
  • Judg 8:16-17 : 16 He seized the leaders of the city, along with some desert thorns and briers; he then“threshed” the men of Succoth with them. 17 He also tore down the tower of Penuel and executed the city’s men.
  • 2 Sam 12:31 : 31 He removed the people who were in it and made them labor with saws, iron picks, and iron axes, putting them to work at the brick kiln. This was his policy with all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem.
  • 1 Kgs 9:21 : 21 Their descendants remained in the land(the Israelites were unable to wipe them out completely). Solomon conscripted them for his work crews, and they continue in that role to this very day.
  • 1 Chr 19:2-5 : 2 David said,“I will express my loyalty to Hanun son of Nahash, for his father was loyal to me.” So David sent messengers to express his sympathy over his father’s death. When David’s servants entered Ammonite territory to visit Hanun and express the king’s sympathy, 3 the Ammonite officials said to Hanun,“Do you really think David is trying to honor your father by sending these messengers to express his sympathy? No, his servants have come to you so they can get information and spy out the land!” 4 So Hanun seized David’s servants and shaved their beards off. He cut off the lower part of their robes so that their buttocks were exposed and then sent them away. 5 People came and told David what had happened to the men, so he sent messengers to meet them, for the men were thoroughly humiliated. The king said,“Stay in Jericho until your beards grow again; then you may come back.”
  • Ps 21:8-9 : 8 You prevail over all your enemies; your power is too great for those who hate you. 9 You burn them up like a fiery furnace when you appear; the LORD angrily devours them; the fire consumes them.