2 Samuel 4:5

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 4:5

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:5

Lay on a bed at noon - It is a custom in all hot countries to travel or work very early and very late, and rest at noonday, in which the heat chiefly prevails. 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 4:5-8

( 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

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:5-6

2 Samuel 4:5-6. Who lay on a bed at noon As the manner was, and still continues to be, in hot countries. As though they would have fetched wheat Which was laid up in public granaries in the king’s house, and was fetched thence by the captains and commanders of the army for the pay of their soldiers, who, in those ancient times, were not paid in money, but in corn. Upon this pretence they were admitted into the house, and so went from room to room to the place where the king lay. 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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:5

THE MURDER OF ISHBOSHETH"Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the heat of the day they came to the house of Ishbosheth, as he was taking his noonday rest. And behold, the doorkeeper of the house had been cleaning wheat, but she grew drowsy and slept; so Rechab and his brother Baanah slipped in. When they came into the house, as he slept on his bed in his bed-chamber, they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him."These mercenary raiders were employees of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:5

5, 6. Rechab and Baanah went and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, c.—It is still a custom in the East to allow their soldiers a certain quantity of corn, together with some pay and these two captains very naturally went to the palace the day before to fetch wheat, in order to distribute it to the soldiers, that it might be sent to the mill at the accustomed hour in the morning. read more

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