2 Samuel 4

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 4 of 24

1 And the son of Saul heard that Abner was dead in Hebron. And his hands were feeble; and all those in Israel were terrified.

2 And Saul's son had two men, troop commanders, one's name being Baanah, and the other's name Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the sons of Benjamin (for Beeroth also is counted to Benjamin).

3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and are aliens there to this day.

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Chapter Summary

The Israelites troubled by the death of Abner. Baanah and Rechab kill Ishbosheth and bring his head to Hebron.

Key Hebrew Words

נְקָמָה vengeance H5360 · TWOT 1413b
דָּם blood H1818 · TWOT 436
צַדִּיק righteous man H6662 · TWOT 1879c
רָשָׁע wicked men H7563 · TWOT 2222b
מְבַשֵּׂר bearer of news H1319 · TWOT 291
נָכֵה crippled, lame H5223 · TWOT 1364a

People & Context

Ishbosheth

Saul's son and rival king, murdered on his bed by his own troop commanders after Abner's death

Rechab

Son of Rimmon the Beerothite who, with Baanah, kills Ishbosheth and brings his head to David

Baanah

Brother of Rechab and co-assassin of Ishbosheth, executed by David for the murder

David

King at Hebron who condemns the assassins, has them killed, and buries Ishbosheth's head with Abner

Mephibosheth

Jonathan's son, lamed at age five when his nurse dropped him fleeing the news of Saul's death

Rimmon

The Beerothite of Benjamin, father of the assassins Rechab and Baanah

Timeline

Ishbosheth Loses Courage

Ishbosheth hears of Abner's death, causing his hands to become feeble and terrifying all Israel.

2 Samuel 4:1-3
Narrator Recounts Mephibosheth's Lameness

The narrator notes that Jonathan's son Mephibosheth was dropped by his nurse at age five while fleeing, rendering him lame in both feet.

2 Samuel 4:4
Ishbosheth Killed

Baanah and Rechab sneak into Ishbosheth's house at noon while he sleeps, strike him in the fifth rib, and behead him.

2 Samuel 4:5-7

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