2 Samuel 4:10

_AND DAVID ANSWERED RECHAB AND BAANAH HIS BROTHER, THE SONS OF RIMMON THE BEEROTHITE, AND SAID UNTO THEM, AS THE LORD LIVETH, WHO HATH REDEEMED MY SOUL OUT OF ALL ADVERSITY,_ No JFB commentary on these 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....

Verse 2 Samuel 4:10. _A REWARD FOR HIS TIDINGS_] Ὡ εδει με δουναι ευαγγελια, _Septuagint_. Here is a proof that ευαγγελιον, _evangelium_ or _gospel_, signifies the _reward_ which the bringer of good tidings is entitled to receive. See my _preface_ to St. Matthew's Gospel. Matthew 1:1....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 4:1 WHEN SAUL'S SON HEARD THAT ABNER WAS DEAD. The news of Abner's death must have had a doubly depressing effect upon Ishbosheth; for he learned, not only that the mainstay of his kingdom was slain, but that even he, in despair of a successful issue, had been engaged in treasonable negotiations with his rival. ALL THE ISRAELITES WERE TROUBLED. Their trouble was caused rather by uncertainty than by fear. Abner's plans had fallen through, and the fact of his murder threw grave suspicions on David. Had he now attacked Israel, the chiefs would most probably have stood loyally by Saul's house. But he did nothing, and his innocence slowly but gradually was made clear. They were thus in a state of suspense, and waiting till some brave man arose to lead them to a decision. Unfortunately, a fresh crime threw e

WHEN ONE TOLD ME, SAYING, BEHOLD, SAUL IS DEAD,.... No more is related, not that he killed him, or assisted in killing him, only that he was dead; by which it appears, as Abarbinel thinks, that the Amalekite did not slay Saul, and that David did not put him to death on that account, but for what follows: THINKING TO HAVE BROUGHT GOOD TIDINGS; which would have been very acceptable to David, that he would have rejoiced and exulted at it as he did; but he was mistaken; instead of that, I TOOK HOLD OF HIM, AND SLEW HIM AT ZIKLAG; that is, ordered one of his young men to lay hold on him, and slay him, as he did, 2 Samuel 1:15; WHO [THOUGHT] THAT I WOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM A REWARD FOR HIS TIDINGS; a handsome present, as the Targum here, a gift, or raised him to some post of honour and profit....

5. THE DEATH OF ISH-BOSHETH CHAPTER 4 _ 1. Ish-bosheth in despair (2 Samuel 4:1)_ 2. Mephibosheth, the lame son (2 Samuel 4:4) 3. The end of Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 4:5) 4. The punishment of the murderers (2 Samuel 4:9) Abner's death meant the speedy end of Ish-bosheth's pretentious reign. Baanah and Rechab were his captains and became his murderers. While Ish-bosheth was resting in the heat of the day they sneaked in and murdered the sleeping son of Saul, then brought the head to David. They claimed to be instruments of God in the execution of the wicked deed, expecting approval and a reward from

It was clear that Ishbaal's authority could not long survive Abner. It was only a question who should carry out the schemes which Abner had set on foot. Two of Ishbaal's captains came to his house as he was enjoying his midday siesta. And, behold the portress was cleaning wheat, and she had fallen sound asleep, and they got into the house without being noticed (following LXX of 2 Samuel 4:6 _cf. mg.),_ and slew Ishbaal and took his head to David, who had them put to death. There are two insertions in this narrative. 2 Samuel 4:2_ b_, 2 Samuel 4:3 is an archæ ological note as to Beeroth (Deuteronomy 10:6). Its inhabitants, probabl

BEHOLD. Figure of speech _Asterismos._ App-6....

The Punishment of the Murderers by David 8. _to the king_ Observe that Ish-bosheth is never honoured with the title of _king_. _thine enemy, which sought thy life_ These words are to be referred to Saul not to Ish-bosheth. Cp. 1 Samuel 24:4; 1 Samuel 25:29. _the_Lord _hath avenged_ The murderers profanely represented themselves as the instruments of Providence. "They pretended piety and loyalty, but they regarded nothing except their own interest." Wordsworth....

Ish-bosheth Slain. 2 Samuel 4:5-12 5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, 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 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 gat them away through the plain all night. 8 And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the Lord hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed. 9And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Ri