Nahash

Two persons by this name are known with certainty in the OT.

1) The arrogant king of the Ammonites who marched on the Israelite town of Jabesh-gilead during the time of Samuel. Though the town was prepared to submit to him as a vassal, he preconditioned that very person in the town should gouge out their right eye "and so bring disgrace to Israel" (1 Sam 11:1-2). The incident gave occasion, who had just been anointed king, the opportunity to show of what stuff he was made; with an army he quickly mustered he routed the Ammonites.

What happened to Nahash himself afterwards is not known. In David's time, however, the Ammonite kingdom was ruled by one of his descendents (possibly his son) by the name of Hanun. David had heard that his father had died and "thought, 'I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.'" (2 Sam 10:1-2; 1 Chron 19:2). Thinking to send a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father, the delegation met with humiliation instead; the members had half of their beards shaved and their clothes ripped to expose their buttons. War broke out between the two, with the Ammonites fighting with an ally in the Arameans. Though Israel eventually prevailed, it became the spring when David decided to stay home from battle and saw Bathsheba bathing (2 Sam 11:1). Hanun did not seem to have reign long for a few years later, when David had to flee to the Transjordan as a result of Absalom's revolt, Shobi son of Nahash came out with provisions for David and his refugee entourage (2 Sam 17:27ff) (it is possible, of course, that Shobi's father/ancestor may be a different person).

2) A Nahash is named in 2 Sam 17:25 as the grand father of Amasa (Absalom's general): "Amasa was the son of a man named Jether, an Israelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab." This text presents a bit of a puzzle because Abigail and Zeruiah were David's sisters (1 Chron 2:16). The most probable explanation here to understand Abigail as the daughter of Nahash who possibly died early and whose widow later (re-)married David. This would make her therefore "step-sister" (rather than blood or half sister) of Zeruiah.

3) A Ir Nahash is named as the son of a Tehinnah from the city of Recah in the genealogical list of Judah in 1 Chron 4:12. It is, however, uncertain if Ir Nahash is a person because the words can be translated as "city of Nahash." Nothing else is known about this person or location.