2 Samuel 4:9-12

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 4:9

And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite ,.... In a manner they did not expect: and said unto them, as the Lord liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity ; spiritual and temporal, especially the latter is meant, and particularly what he had been brought into by the persecution of Saul, while living, and by those that adhered to his house since his death; which he ascribes to the Lord, and doubted not that he would still deliver... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:10

When one told me, saying, behold, Saul is dead ,.... No more is related, not that he killed him, or assisted in killing him, only that he was dead; by which it appears, as Abarbinel thinks, that the Amalekite did not slay Saul, and that David did not put him to death on that account, but for what follows: thinking to have brought good tidings ; which would have been very acceptable to David, that he would have rejoiced and exulted at it as he did; but he was mistaken; instead of that, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:11

How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person ,.... As Ishbosheth was in comparison of the wicked men that slew him; though not with respect to David, if he knew of his divine designation to the throne; nor with respect to Mephibosheth his eldest brother's son, whose right to the throne was prior to his, which he must know; though with respect to his conduct towards David, in assuming the throne of Israel, it might not be owing to any bad principles of malice and injustice,... 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 4:9

Who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity - This was, in David's case, a very proper view of the goodness and watchful providence of God towards him. His life was frequently in danger; murderers had often laid wait for it: but God, the living God, had always redeemed that life from all adversity; and called on him now to punish such evil-minded and blood-thirsty men. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:10

A reward for his tidings - Ὡ εδει με δουναι ευαγγελια , Septuagint. Here is a proof that ευαγγελιον , evangelium or gospel, signifies the reward which the bringer of good tidings is entitled to receive. See my preface to St. Matthew's Gospel. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:11

How much more - Here are several things which aggravated the guilt of those wicked men. Ish-bosheth was an innocent man, and therefore none could have any ground of quarrel against him. He was in his own house, which was his sanctuary, and none but the worst of men would disturb him there. 3. He was upon his bed, resting in the heat of the day, and so free from suspicion that he was not even attended by his guards, nor had he his doors secured. To take away the life of such a man,... 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

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