2 Samuel 4:7,2 Samuel 4:8

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 4:7

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

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 4:6-7

As though they would have fetched wheat. Not only is the narrative confused, but the versions offer extraordinary varieties of reading. The murder of Ishbosheth is fully described in 2 Samuel 4:7 , and is there in its place, while it is out of place in 2 Samuel 4:6 . And that the captains would themselves fetch wheat, instead of having it carried from the granary by their men; and that they would go through the king's chamber to obtain it; are both improbable. The very act of going to... 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 4:7

bed . Compare 2 Samuel 3:31 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Samuel 4:7

THE HEAD OF ISHBOSHETH WAS PRESENTED TO DAVID"They took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night, and brought the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron. And they said to the king, `Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; the Lord has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring.'"How disgusting it is that these rascals, in their address to David, "Spread the holy name of God and his providence as a cloak and covering for... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 4:6-7

2 Samuel 4:6-7. They came thither into the midst of the house— Houbigant, following the version of the LXX, translates the whole thus: the keeper of the house, while he was cleaning wheat in the midst of it, slept in the sun; therefore Rechab and Baanah his brother entered the house secretly, and whilst Ish-bosheth slept upon his bed, in an inner chamber, they smote him till he died, and they took his head, which they had cut off, and travelled all the night by the way of the desart, &c.... read more

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