2 Samuel 4:5

5 Rechab and Baanah set out for Ishbosheth's house and arrived there about noon, while he was taking his midday rest.

2 Samuel 4:5 Meaning and 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 kings;''

or at a time when king's usually slept; though this is remarked by some as an instance and proof of the sluggishness and inactivity of this prince, who left the management of all affairs to Abner his general, and gave himself to sloth and sensuality; which, when indulged, bring ruin on princes and their kingdoms.

2 Samuel 4:5 In-Context

3 Its original inhabitants had fled to Gittaim, where they have lived ever since.)

4 Another descendant of Saul was Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, who was five years old when Saul and Jonathan were killed. When the news about their death came from the city of Jezreel, his nurse picked him up and fled; but she was in such a hurry that she dropped him, and he became crippled.

5 Rechab and Baanah set out for Ishbosheth's house and arrived there about noon, while he was taking his midday rest.

6 The woman at the door had become drowsy while she was sifting wheat and had fallen asleep, so Rechab and Baanah slipped in.

7 Once inside, they went to Ishbosheth's bedroom, where he was sound asleep, and killed him. Then they cut off his head, took it with them, and walked all night through the Jordan Valley.