2 Samuel 4:1-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-8

Here is, I. The weakness of Saul's house. Still it grew weaker and weaker. 1. As for Ishbosheth, who was in possession of the throne, his hands were feeble, 2 Sam. 4:1. All the strength they ever had was from Abner's support, and now that he was dead he had no spirit left in him. Though Abner had, in a passion, deserted his interest, yet he hoped, by his means, to make good terms with David; but now even this hope fails him, and he sees himself forsaken by his friends and at the mercy of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1

And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron ,.... By Saul's son is meant Ishbosheth, to whom tidings were soon brought of the death of Abner his general, and that he died in Hebron, where David his rival reigned, and was there murdered by Joab the general of his army: his hands were feeble : not only in a natural sense, being quite dispirited at hearing such news; but in a civil sense, having lost his main support and strength, he being president of his council, and commander... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:2

And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands ,.... Of troops in the army, or of guards about the person of Ishbosheth son of Saul: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin ; so that these men were brethren in nature, as well as in iniquity; they had the same father, who is described by his name and city, and their names are expressly mentioned and recorded to their infamy; and they were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:3

And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until that day. At the death of Saul, when many of the Israelites deserted their cities, and left them to the Philistines, 1 Samuel 31:7 ; and so the inhabitants of Beeroth forsook their city, which was near the Philistines, and went to Gittaim, a city in the same tribe, though a little further off, see Nehemiah 11:33 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:4

And Jonathan, Saul's son ,.... His eldest son, who died at the same time with him: had a son that was lame of his feet ; of both feet, which were broken or bruised by a fall, as later related: and he was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel : that is, when the tidings of their death came from Jezreel, the place where the battle was fought in which they died, to Gibeah, and the royal palace there; so that he was now twelve years of age: and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:5

And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah , went ,.... From Gittaim, where they were sojourners, 2 Samuel 4:3 ; or from the army, where they had commissions, wherever it was: and came, about the heat of the day ; the middle of the day, at noon, as follows: to the house of Ishbosheth ; which was at Mahanaim: who lay on a bed at noon ; as was usual in hot countries, especially for great personages, as kings; so the Targum,"and he was sleeping the sleep of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:6

And they came thither into the midst of the house ,.... They not only came unto it, but entered into it, and went into the inmost part of it; the guards being asleep also perhaps, or not on duty, so that there were none to obstruct them; or if there were, they deceived them, since they went in as though they would have fetched wheat ; out of the king's granaries, for the payment and support of the soldiers under them, who in those days were paid in corn, as were the Roman soldiers ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:1

All the Israelites were troubled - Abner was their great support; and on him they depended; for it appears that Ish-bosheth was a feeble prince, and had few of those qualities requisite for a sovereign. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:2

Captains of bands - Principes latronum , captains of banditti, says the Vulgate; the Syriac is the same. Whether Ish-bosheth kept bands of marauders, whose business it was to make sudden incursions into the country places, and carry off grain, provisions, cattle, etc., we know not; but such persons would be well qualified for the bloody work in which these two men were afterwards employed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:3

The Beerothites fled to Gittaim - Probably the same as Gath; as Ramathaim is the same as Ramah. read more

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