2 Samuel Chapter 4 — The Death of Ishbosheth
Ishbosheth, Saul's son and king of Israel, is assassinated by two of his captains. David rejects their actions as a betrayal and orders their execution for killing a righteous man.
1When Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
2Saul’s son had two men who were captains of raiding bands. The name of one was Baanah and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin (for Beeroth also is considered a part of Benjamin;
3and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have lived as foreigners there until today).
4Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news came about Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel; and his nurse picked him up and fled. As she hurried to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
5The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went out and came at about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth as he took his rest at noon.
6They came there into the middle of the house as though they would have fetched wheat, and they struck him in the body; and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
7Now when they came into the house as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him, killed him, beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night.
8They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life! The LORD has avenged my lord the king today of Saul and of his offspring.*or, seed”
9David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
10when someone told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ thinking that he brought good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news.
11How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house on his bed, should I not now require his blood from your hand, and rid the earth of you?”
12David commanded his young men, and they killed them, cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in Abner’s grave in Hebron.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
2 Samuel 4:4
“Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news came about Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel; and his nurse picked him up and fled. As she hurried to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.”
This verse introduces Mephibosheth, a key figure in the later narrative regarding David's kindness to Jonathan's descendants.
2 Samuel 4:11
“How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house on his bed, should I not now require his blood from your hand, and rid the earth of you?”
This verse highlights David's commitment to justice and his refusal to benefit from the murder of his political rivals.
Chapter Summary
Following the death of Abner, Ishbosheth’s leadership falters, causing distress throughout Israel. Two brothers, Rechab and Baanah, who were captains in Ishbosheth's army, decide to assassinate the king while he is resting in his home. They behead him and bring his head to David in Hebron, expecting a reward for eliminating his rival and avenging Saul's past actions. However, David reacts with indignation rather than gratitude. He reminds the brothers of how he previously executed the messenger who claimed to have killed Saul at Ziklag. David condemns the murder of a righteous man in his own bed and orders the execution of Rechab and Baanah. The chapter also briefly introduces Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, highlighting the remaining lineage of Saul's house. David ensures Ishbosheth is buried with respect in Abner’s grave in Hebron.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ishbosheth was killed by two of his own captains, Rechab and Baanah, who were brothers from the tribe of Benjamin. They entered his house at noon while he was resting and assassinated him, thinking David would reward them.
Mephibosheth is the son of Jonathan and the grandson of Saul. He is mentioned here to explain that he was lame in both feet due to an accident during a hasty flight when his family received news of Saul's death, establishing the remaining state of Saul's household.
David was appalled by the murder and refused to reward the assassins. He ordered the execution of Rechab and Baanah for their crime against a righteous man and provided a respectful burial for Ishbosheth's head.
Study Note
The mention of Mephibosheth's lameness provides historical context for why he was not considered a viable successor to Saul's throne during the political transition.
Related Chapters
1 Samuel 31
This chapter records the death of Saul, which is the event that led to Mephibosheth's injury mentioned in this text.
2 Samuel 1
David references his execution of the Amalekite messenger at Ziklag, which is described in detail at the beginning of 2 Samuel.
2 Samuel 9
This later chapter describes David's eventual kindness toward Mephibosheth, who is first introduced in this chapter.
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