2 Samuel 4:5-12 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

Matthew Henry

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 4:5

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:6

And they came thither into the midst of the house ,.... They not only came unto it, but entered into it, and went into the inmost part of it; the guards being asleep also perhaps, or not on duty, so that there were none to obstruct them; or if there were, they deceived them, since they went in as though they would have fetched wheat ; out of the king's granaries, for the payment and support of the soldiers under them, who in those days were paid in corn, as were the Roman soldiers ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:7

For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber ,.... This is repeated to give a more particular account of the murder; though Abarbinel thinks they went in twice; when they went in first they smote him under the fifth rib, and made their escape; but fearing they had not left him dead, they returned, and did as follows: and they smote him, and slew him ; so that it was out of all doubt with them that he was dead: and beheaded him ; to make sure work of it: ... 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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:7

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 4:9

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

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

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

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