The Hebrews on various occasions and for various purposes had recourse to the services of ambassadors, e.g., to contract alliances (Josh. 9:4), to solicit favours (Num. 20:14), to remonstrate when wrong was done (Judg. 11:12), to condole with a young king on the death of his father (2-Sam 10:2), and to congratulate a king on his accession to the throne (1-Kings 5:1).
To do injury to an ambassador was to insult the king who sent him (2-Sam 10:5).