2 Samuel 4:8 NIV

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 4:8

And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron ,.... Supposing it would have been a very acceptable present to him: and said to the king, behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life ; all which, his relation to Saul, his enmity to David, and his designs upon his life, are artfully put together to raise the indignation of David against him, and make their present of his head to him the more agreeable: and the Lord hath avenged my lord... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:8

They brought the head - unto David - They thought, as did the poor lying Amalekite, to ingratiate themselves with David by this abominable act. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:8

Which sought thy life. Saul had sought David's life, but Ishbosheth was innocent of any such attempts. Still, had he been victorious, David, as his rival, would certainly have been put to death. Jehovah hath avenged my lord the king. The ordinary language of the East is so religious that these words imply nothing more than that these wicked men saw in their base act a step towards the carrying out of a Divine purpose. But in thus referring to the common belief that David's kingdom was... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:7-8

2 Samuel 4:7-8. They smote him, and slew him, &c. The privacy of the place gave them opportunity to do all this, without discovery. And gat them away through the plain, from Mahanaim to Hebron It being for the most part a flat country, till they came to ascend the mountain, on the side of which Hebron stood. Hath avenged the king of Saul and of his seed For they were all now extinguished except his grandson Mephibosheth, who was of no account because of his lameness. 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 4:8

life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:8

8. They brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David . . . and said, Behold the head of Ish-bosheth—Such bloody trophies of rebels and conspirators have always been acceptable to princes in the East, and the carriers have been liberally rewarded. Ish-bosheth being a usurper, the two assassins thought they were doing a meritorious service to David by removing the only existing obstacle to the union of the two kingdoms. :-. DAVID CAUSES THEM TO BE PUT TO DEATH. read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:5-8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 4:7-8

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:1-12

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 4:8

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 4:8

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