2 Samuel 4

Isboseth and his party are astonished at Abners death, v.1. Two Captains murder Isboseth, and bring his head unto David, 2. Who caused them to be put to death, and hanged up; but Isboseths head to be buried, 9.

1. Now when Sauls son [viz. Isboseth] beard, that Abner was dead at Hebron, his hands grew feeble, [i.e. He fainted and left all courage to war against David. Compare below chap.17.2. Ezra.4.5. Isa.13.7. and 35.3. Jer.38.4. & 47.3. & 50.43. Zephan.3.16.] and all Israel was terrified. [or, troubled; because Abner having treated with them, to bring the Kingdom unto David, was now dead, so that knew not what would become of the matter. The rest that sided with Sauls house, were astonished at the loss of this great Commander, on whom Sauls house relied.]

2. And Sauls son had two men, Commanders of Bands: [Of plundering, ranging, and roving souldiers; as above chap.3.22.] the name of the one was Baena, [Heb. Baanas] and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: for Beeroth, [see Jos.18.25.] also was reckoned to Benjamin: [although the Benjamites after Sauls defeat (as is related in the sequel) were fled thence, and possibly the Philistines had taken this place, as they had done others, see 1 Sam.31.7.]

3. And the Beerothites were fled to Gitthaim, [Nehemiah 11:33. There is a city of this name mentioned to be in Benjamin. Some conceive that there was yet another place of the same name by the South-borders of Juda, whither they were fled for safety, and found themselves so well there, that thought not at all of returning, until the affairs of Sauls house were thus transacted, and this here mentioned was written at such time when it was but newly done] and were strangers there unto this day.

4. And Jonathan, Sauls son, [Who died in the battle with his father Saul] had a son that was smitten [i.e. lame; as followeth: so below chap.9.3.] on both feet: be was five years old, [Heb. he was a son of five years] when the rumour came of Saul and Jonathan [i.e. the tidings came of the defeat of Saul and Jonathan] out of Jizreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled; and it came to pass, when she made hast to flee, that he fell, and became cripple, and his name was Mephiboseth [Heb. Mephiboscheth: otherwise called Merik-baal, 1 Chron.8.34.]

5. And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baena, went their ways, and came to the house of Isboseth [Perceiving that Isboseths affairs, after Abners death, were grown low, and of small appearance, and that David undoubtedly should come to the Crown, because Mephiboseth being lame (as in the former verse is related) was unsit to succeed, and so no cause to fear his vengeance, therefore they attempted this murder, to curry favour with David] when the day was grown hot: [or, about the heat of the day] and he lay on the Couch at noon. [To rest himself, or to take an afternoons sleep. Compare below chap.11.2.]

6. And they came in thither, into the midst of the house (as) intending to fetch wheat; [Feigning and demeaning themselves, as if they had been Corn-merchants, or Corn-porters] and they smote him on the fifth rib: [as above on chap.2.23.& 3.27] and Rechab and Baena his brother escaped.

7. For they came into the house when he lay on his bed, in his bed-chamber, and smote him, and slew him, and cut off his head: [Heb. Put away, or, off his head] and they took his head, and went their way on the plain field [of Mehanaim (where Isboseth kept Court, above chap.2.8, 29.) having passed Jordan, they went speedily over the plain fields of Jericho to Hebron] all night.

8. And they brought the head of Isboseth unto David to Hebron, and said unto the King; Behold, there is the head of Isboseth, the son of Saul, thine enemy, who sought thy soul: i.e. Who sought thy life, who attempted to take away thy life. See Exod.on ver.19. 1 Sam.20.4. and 23.15. 2 Sam.10.11. Psal.63.10,&c. Elsewhere this phrase signifieth also, to seek to preserve a mans life, Prov.29 10.] thus the LORD hath given vengeances to my Lord the King this day, of Saul, and of his seed.

9. But David answered Rechab and Baena his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them: (As true as) the LORD liveth, who hath delivered my soul out of all distress:

10. Seeing I took hold of him, that told, saying; Behold, Saul is dead; [Adding withal, that he himself had holpen to slay Saul at his request, above chap.1.10.] whereas he was in his (own) eyes, [i.e. he thought so, he perswaded himself so, he had such a good opinion of himself] as one that brought good tidings; yet notwithstanding I took hold of him, and slew him [i.e. I caused him to be apprehended and put to death. See above chapter 1.15.] at Ziklag: although he (thought) that I would have given him a messengers reward. [Oth. which was the messengers reward, which I ought to give him.]

11. How much more [viz. Ought I to do it] when wicked men have slain a righteous man [That had no way deserved it at their hands] in his (own) house upon his bed? Now then should I not require his blood of your hands, and take you away from the earth? [By punishing you, because ye have shed his blood, and are not able to restore it, as likewise unto the man his life. See Gen.9.on ver.1. Psal.9.12, 13. Ezek.3.18, 20. & 33.8.]

12. And David commanded his youths, [i.e. Servants Ministers, Courtiers, Officers, Pages] and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up by the pool at Hebron: but they took the head of Isboseth, and buried it in Abners Sepulchre at Hebron.