2 Samuel 4:1-6 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:4

A lifelong affliction. Wars inflict innumerable evils which find no place in the history of them. This verse affords an illustration. When news reached the household of Saul that he and his sons had been slain in battle, a grandson, a boy of five years, was hurriedly borne away by his nurse, and, failing, was lamed in both feet. His lameness continued throughout life, and involved him in serious disadvantages and troubles. There are many who, like Mephibosheth, are weak and suffering from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:5-8

( MAHANAIM .) Assassins. "And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron" ( 2 Samuel 4:8 ). 1 . What useful purpose can the record of the atrocious deeds of such men serve? To throw light upon the condition of the age in which they occurred. To confirm inspired testimony concerning human depravity ( Psalms 14:1-7 .). To exhibit the tendency of the evil principles and passions by which these men were actuated, and incite hatred and abhorrence of them. To show... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:6-7

As though they would have fetched wheat. Not only is the narrative confused, but the versions offer extraordinary varieties of reading. The murder of Ishbosheth is fully described in 2 Samuel 4:7 , and is there in its place, while it is out of place in 2 Samuel 4:6 . And that the captains would themselves fetch wheat, instead of having it carried from the granary by their men; and that they would go through the king's chamber to obtain it; are both improbable. The very act of going to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:2

Beeroth - See the marginal reference. From Joshua 9:17, it might have been expected that the population of Beeroth would be Canaanite. But from some unknown cause the Canaanite inhabitants of Beeroth had fled to Gittaim - perhaps the same as Gath - and continued there as sojourners. If this flight of the Beerothites took place at the time of Saul’s cruel attack upon the Gibeonites 2 Samuel 21:1-2, Baanah and Reehab may have been native Beerothites, and have been instigated to murder the son of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:4

This mention of Mephibosheth seems to be inserted here partly to show that with the death of Ish-bosheth the cause of the house of Saul became hopeless, and partly to prepare the way for the subsequent mention of him 2 Samuel 9:1-13; 2 Samuel 16:1-4; 2 Samuel 19:25. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:5

Lay on a bed at noon - Render, “was taking his midday rest,” according to the custom of hot countries. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:6

As though they would have fetched wheat - This is a very obscure passage, and the double repetition in 2 Samuel 4:6-7 of the murder of the king and of the escape of the assassin, is hard to account for. Rechab and Baanah came into the house under the pretence of getting grain, probably for the band which they commanded out of the king’s storehouse, and so contrived to get access into the king’s chamber; or, they found the wheat-carriers (the persons whose business it was to carry in grain for... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:1

2 Samuel 4:1. His hands were feeble He was greatly dismayed, as well he might be; for he was in effect disarmed; he had lost both his sword and his shield in Abner. And all the Israelites were troubled That is, all those who were united to the interest of Ish-bosheth, and probably many others also; for they had lost their great and powerful agent with David; the man in whom both he and they confided; the man who, from his authority and credit, both with the army and the people, was best... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:2

2 Samuel 4:2. Captains of bands Whether of regular forces, or some flying parties, whose business was spoil and prey, is not certain. Perhaps they were captains of two companies of guards about the king. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:3

2 Samuel 4:3. The Beerothites fled to Gittaim When Saul was slain, several Israelites left their cities and fled, and the Philistines took possession of them. Among these, it seems, this city was forsaken of its inhabitants; and were sojourners there until this day When this book was written they were not returned to their own country, being commodiously settled at Gittaim. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:4

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:5-8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:6-7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:3

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