2 Samuel 4

1 audivit autem filius Saul quod cecidisset Abner in Hebron et dissolutae sunt manus eius omnisque Israhel perturbatus est

2 duo autem viri principes latronum erant filio Saul nomen uni Baana et nomen alteri Rechab filii Remmon Berothitae de filiis Beniamin siquidem et Beroth reputata est in Beniamin

3 et fugerunt Berothitae in Getthaim fueruntque ibi advenae usque in tempus illud

4 erat autem Ionathan filio Saul filius debilis pedibus quinquennis enim fuit quando venit nuntius de Saul et Ionathan ex Iezrahel tollens itaque eum nutrix sua fugit cumque festinaret ut fugeret cecidit et claudus effectus est habuitque vocabulum Mifiboseth

5 venientes igitur filii Remmon Berothitae Rechab et Baana ingressi sunt fervente die domum Hisboseth qui dormiebat super stratum suum meridie

6 ingressi sunt autem domum adsumentes spicas tritici et percusserunt eum in inguine Rechab et Baana frater eius et fugerunt

7 cum autem ingressi fuissent domum ille dormiebat super lectulum suum in conclavi et percutientes interfecerunt eum sublatoque capite eius abierunt per viam deserti tota nocte

8 et adtulerunt caput Hisboseth ad David in Hebron dixeruntque ad regem ecce caput Hisboseth filii Saul inimici tui qui quaerebat animam tuam et dedit Dominus domino meo regi ultiones hodie de Saul et de semine eius

9 respondens autem David Rechab et Baana fratri eius filiis Remmon Berothei dixit ad eos vivit Dominus qui eruit animam meam de omni angustia

10 quoniam eum qui adnuntiaverat mihi et dixerat mortuus est Saul qui putabat se prospera nuntiare tenui et occidi in Siceleg cui oportebat me dare mercedem pro nuntio

11 quanto magis nunc cum homines impii interfecerint virum innoxium in domo sua super lectulum suum non quaeram sanguinem eius de manu vestra et auferam vos de terra

12 praecepit itaque David pueris et interfecerunt eos praecidentesque manus et pedes eorum suspenderunt eos super piscinam in Hebron caput autem Hisboseth tulerunt et sepelierunt in sepulchro Abner in Hebron

2 Samuel 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

Ishbosheth murdered. (1-7) David puts to death the murderers. (8-12)

Verses 1-7 See how Ishbosheth was murdered! When those difficulties dispirit us, which should sharpen our endeavours, we betray both our heavenly crowns and our earthly lives. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty and ruin. The idle soul is an easy prey to the destroyer. We know not when and where death will meet us. When we lie down to sleep, we are not sure that we may not sleep the sleep of death before we awake; nor do we know from what hand the death-blow may come.

Verses 8-12 A person may be glad to obtain his just wishes, and yet really regret the means by which he receives them. He may be sorry for the death of a person by which he is a gainer. These men shed innocent blood, from the basest motives. David justly executed vengeance upon them. He would not be beholden to any to help him by unlawful practices. God had helped him over many a difficulty, and through many a danger, therefore he depended upon him to crown and complete his own work. He speaks of his redemption from all adversity, as a thing done; though he had many storms yet before him, he knew that He who had delivered, would deliver.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 4

This chapter relates the concern the death of Abner gave to Ishbosheth, and the men of Israel, 2Sa 4:1; the murder of Ishbosheth by two of his captains, who cut off his head, and brought it to David, 2Sa 4:2-8; by whom they were rewarded according to their deserts, he putting them to death, and exposing their bodies to shame and ignominy, 2Sa 4:9-12.