2 Samuel 4:5

5 So the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, departed and came to the house of ¹Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day 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 and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been aliens there until this day ).

4 Now Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

5 So the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, departed and came to the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day while he was taking his midday rest.

6 They came to the middle of the house as if to get wheat, and they struck him in the belly; and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.

7 Now when they came into the house, as he was lying on his bed in his bedroom , they struck him and killed him and beheaded him. And they took his head and traveled by way of the Arabah all night.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 2:8