Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 10:4

"So Hanun took David`s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away." — 2 Samuel 10:4 (ASV)

Shaved off the one half of their beards. — According to Middle Eastern customs, this was the greatest insult that could have been inflicted. “Cutting off a person’s beard is regarded by the Arabs as an indignity quite equal to flogging and branding among ourselves. Many would rather die than have their beard shaved off” (Arvieux, quoted by Keil). It is remarkable that in none of David’s wars does he appear as the aggressor.