2 Samuel 4:5

5 The sons of Rimmon the Be'erotite, Rechav and Ba`anah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-Boshet, as he took his rest at noon.

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 and the Be'erotites fled to Gittayim, and have been sojourners there until this day).

4 Now Yonatan, Sha'ul's son, had a son who was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the news came of Sha'ul and Yonatan out of Yizre`el; and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. His name was Mefivoshet.

5 The sons of Rimmon the Be'erotite, Rechav and Ba`anah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-Boshet, as he took his rest at noon.

6 They came there into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they struck him in the body: and Rechav and Ba`anah his brother escaped.

7 Now when they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, they struck him, and killed him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the `Aravah all night.