The Second Book of Samuel, otherwise called the Second Book of the Kings
2 Samuel 4
Chapter IV · Vol. II, p. 681
1 The Israelites being troubled at the death of Abner, 2 Baanah and Rechab slay Ishbosheth, and bring his head to Hebron. 9 David causeth them to be slain, and Ishbosheth's head to be buried.
1 And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, ahis hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
2 And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bbands;1 the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other2 Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for cBeeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin:
4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had ea son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old whenf the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was gMephibosheth.4
5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, hwent, and came about the heat of the day5 to the house of Ish-bosheth, who ilay on a bed at noon.
h 1 Ti.6.10. Jude 11. 2 Ch.24.25; 25.27; 33.24.
5 In warm climates it is customary for the inhabitants to retire to couches in the heat of the day, during which period the fields are deserted, and business ceases in towns. The traitors take advantage of this time of repose to effect their murderous purpose. Note, If wicked men are so careful to find the most suitable opportunity for sin, how watchful should God's children be to seize the most favourable opportunities for doing good!—C.
i Pr.24.33,34. ch.11.2-4. Mat.24.50. 1 Th.5.2,3.
6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat;6 and they ksmote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
6 To prepare it, by parching and grinding, for the use of the family.—C.
k ch.2.23; 3.27; 20.10.
7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bed-chamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and ltook his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.
A.M. 2955. B.C. 1049.
l 1 Sa.17.54; 31.9. Job 18.5. Ps.1.4; 37.2.
8 And they mbrought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, nBehold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged7 my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.
m ch.1.10. 2 Ki.10.7. Mat.14.14.
n Ps.12.2; 55.21. 1 Sa.20.1; 23.15. Pr.29.10. Mat.2.20.
7 How readily do these wicked men assume that God has directed what their unfaithfulness, malice, covetousness, and ambition prompted! David, however, ascribes their conduct to its true motive, and punishes them as their crime deserved.—C.
9 And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who ohath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
10 Whenp one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, (thinking to have brought8 good tidings,) I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:9
p ch.1.1-16.
8 Heb. he was in his own eyes as a bringer, &c.
9 Or, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings.
11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall qI not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?
q Ge.9.6. Ex.21.12. Nu.35.30,31. Ps.9.12. Eze.3.18,20. Re.13.10; 16.6.
12 And David commanded his young men, and they rslew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and shanged them up over the pool in Hebron:1 but they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it tin the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
s De.21.23. ch.21.9.
1 The pool of Hebron still exists. It is an immense tank 133 feet square and 21 feet deep. It is built of huge blocks of hewn stones, and the masonry is manifestly of remote antiquity. There is another smaller tank at some distance, but it is not of such ancient date as the former.—P.
t ch.3.32.
Notes
Reflections.—Dreadful are the effects of war; numerous and great the perils of infancy; to have escaped them unhurt is a singular mercy. God soon removes every obstacle to the fulfilment of his purpose and promise: and the most flourishing families are quickly reduced to the most weak and abject conditions. The higher men's station is the more dangerous it is: and when once they begin to fall, every pretended friend is ready to hasten forward their ruin, and make religion a pretext for their conduct. Very precarious is their life who have only wicked men for their guardians: but sinners' hands make the snares wherewith themselves are caught. And it is proper that magistrates should think the best of their opposers; and that they should punish treachery and murder, even when it seems calculated to promote their own interests.