2 Samuel 4:12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:9-12

We have here justice done upon the murderers of Ish-bosheth. I. Sentence passed upon them. There needed no evidence, their own tongues witnessed against them; they were so far from denying the fact that they gloried in it. David therefore shows them the heinousness of the crime, and that blood called for blood from his hand, who was now the chief magistrate, and was by office the avenger of blood. And, perhaps, he was the more vigorous in the prosecution because for reasons of state he had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:12

And David commanded his young men, and they slew them ,.... He ordered some of his guards about him to fall on them, and put them to death; and they accordingly did: and cut off their hands and their feet ; their hands, which had smote Ishbosheth, and cut off his head; and their feet, which had been swift to shed his blood, and made haste to bring his head so many miles to David; this was what the Jews call measure for measure: and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron ; not their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:12

And they slew them - None ever more richly deserved death; and by this act of justice, David showed to all Israel that he was a decided enemy to the destruction of Saul's family; and that none could lift up their hands against any of them without meeting with condign punishment. In all these cases I know not that it was possible for David to show more sincerity, or a stricter regard for justice. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-12

The facts are: 1 . On the death of Abner, consternation seizes Ishbosheth and his friends. 2 . The only other representative of the house of Saul was a mere boy, whose age and bodily infirmity rendered his coming to the front out of the question. 3 . Two of Ishbosheth's officers, forming a secret design, visit Ishbosheth as though on business connected with their duties, and slay him. 4 . Stealing away by night, they carry the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron, and think to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:12

They out off their hands and their feet. This was not intended for the purpose of mutilation, but to carry out an Eastern idea of retaliation. The hands were cut off because they had committed the murder; the feet, because they had brought the head to Hebron. Still, David was violating the spirit of the Mosaic Law. It ordered that the body of a man who had been put to death should be buried the same day ( Deuteronomy 21:23 ). In the face of this humane enactment, it is wonderful that the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:12

( HEBRON .) The reward of the wicked. This book contains an account of many sudden and violent deaths (in addition to those that took place in battle) by assassination, suicide ( 2 Samuel 17:23 ), the direct judgment of God ( 2 Samuel 6:7 ), the judicial sentence of man. Capital punishment for murder was of old deemed right and necessary and divinely sanctioned (see 2 Samuel 1:13-16 ). In this execution, we see that: 1 . The agents by whom the purposes of God are effected... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:12

Cut off their hands ... - After they were dead. Their hands and feet were hung up in a place of public resort, both to deter others and also to let all Israel know that David was not privy to the murder of Ish-bosheth. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:12

2 Samuel 4:12. David commanded, and they slew them But what a disappointment to Baanah and Rechab was the sentence which David passed upon them! And such they will meet with who think to serve the Son of David by cruelty or injustice: who, under colour of religion, outrage or murder their brethren, and think they do God service. However men may now canonize such methods of serving the church and the catholic cause, Christ will let them know another day that Christianity was not designed... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-12

End of the line of Saul (3:2-4:12)On becoming king of Judah, David followed the pattern of neighbouring kings by taking a number of wives (2-5). (For the more important people of David’s family and relatives see the appendix at the end of the commentary on 2 Samuel.) Meanwhile Abner became so powerful among Ishbosheth’s supporters, that Ishbosheth accused him of trying to gain the throne for himself. (According to an eastern custom, one way a person signified his claim to the throne was by... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 4:12

sepulchre . Compare 2 Samuel 3:32 . read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:9-12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:12

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-12

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 4:12

Group of Brands