2 Samuel 4:1

1 Und als der Sohn Sauls hörte, daß Abner zu Hebron gestorben war, da wurden seine Hände schlaff, und ganz Israel war bestürzt.

2 Samuel 4:1 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 4:1

And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron
By Saul's son is meant Ishbosheth, to whom tidings were soon brought of the death of Abner his general, and that he died in Hebron, where David his rival reigned, and was there murdered by Joab the general of his army:

his hands were feeble:
not only in a natural sense, being quite dispirited at hearing such news; but in a civil sense, having lost his main support and strength, he being president of his council, and commander of his forces, and in whom he placed all his confidence: and if he knew nothing of his being at Hebron, it must surprise him to hear of his dying there; from whence he might conclude, that since he was there without his knowledge, it could not be in his favour, some plot was forming, and schemes laying with his rival to dethrone him; or if he knew of it, and understood it in this light, that he was endeavouring to make peace between him and David, and upon advantageous terms to him, of which now he might entertain no hopes; he was dispirited, and might conclude that Joab was against any terms at peace, and therefore had dispatched him:

and all the Israelites were troubled;
at the loss of so great a man in their kingdom, and of whose designs to unite them to Judah, and put them under the government David, they were not ignorant; but now were in the utmost confusion, not knowing what step to take, and whom to send to carry on the treaty, in which Abner was concerned; and whether it would be safe for any to go upon it, since he who had the management of it was murdered, and no justice done on the murderer, and therefore might question David's sincerity and uprightness in this affair; these things greatly distressed and embarrassed them for the present, but Providence opened a way for their future establishment and prosperity.

2 Samuel 4:1 In-Context

1 Und als der Sohn Sauls hörte, daß Abner zu Hebron gestorben war, da wurden seine Hände schlaff, und ganz Israel war bestürzt.

2 Und zwei Männer waren Oberste der Scharen des Sohnes Sauls, der Name des einen war Baana, und der Name des anderen Rekab, Söhne Rimmons, des Beerothiters, von den Kindern Benjamin. Denn auch Beeroth wird zu Benjamin gerechnet;

3 aber die Beerothiter entflohen nach Gittaim und haben sich dort als Fremdlinge aufgehalten bis auf diesen Tag.

4 Und Jonathan, der Sohn Sauls, hatte einen Sohn, der an den Füßen lahm war. Er war fünf Jahre alt, als die Nachricht von Saul und Jonathan aus Jisreel kam; da nahm seine Amme ihn auf und floh. Und es geschah, als sie ängstlich floh, daß er fiel und lahm wurde; und sein Name war Mephiboseth.

5 Und die Söhne Rimmons, des Beerothiters, Rekab und Baana, gingen hin und kamen um die Hitze des Tages in das Haus Isboseths, während er seine Mittagsruhe hielt.