2 Samuel 4:5

5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed 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 Beerothites fled to Gittaim and were sojourners there until this day.)

4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.

6 And they came thither into the midst of the house as though they would have fetched wheat, and they smote him under the fifth rib; and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.

7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber; and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and got themselves away through the plain all night.