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 Ishbosheth, whose services were probably utilized in raids against the Philistines. As such, they were subjects of Ishbosheth; and he was their king to whom they had sworn allegiance. This action in their murder of Ishbosheth was exceedingly criminal. As for their motivation, there might have been some residual hatred in their hearts due to Saul's persecution of their people; but there can be little doubt that their intention was exactly like that of the self-seeking Amalekite who pretended to have slain Saul. They supposed that such a deed would place in their hands the means of their ingratiating themselves with David; and they no doubt expected to be richly rewarded for their crime.