2 Samuel 4:8

_AND THEY BROUGHT THE HEAD OF ISHBOSHETH UNTO DAVID TO HEBRON, AND SAID TO THE KING, BEHOLD THE HEAD OF ISHBOSHETH 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._ Behold the head of Ish-bosheth. Such bloody trophies of rebels and conspirators have always been acceptable to princes in the East, and the carriers been liberally rewarded. Ish-bosheth being a usurper, the two assassins thought they were doing a meritorious service to David by removing the only existing obstacle to the union of the two kingdoms....

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 4:8. _THEY BROUGHT THE HEAD - UNTO DAVID_] They thought, as did the poor lying Amalekite, to ingratiate themselves with David by this abominable act....

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

AND THEY BROUGHT THE HEAD OF ISHBOSHETH UNTO DAVID TO HEBRON,.... Supposing it would have been a very acceptable present to him: AND SAID TO THE KING, BEHOLD THE HEAD OF ISHBOSHETH THE SON OF SAUL THINE ENEMY, WHICH SOUGHT THY LIFE; all which, his relation to Saul, his enmity to David, and his designs upon his life, are artfully put together to raise the indignation of David against him, and make their present of his head to him the more agreeable: AND THE LORD HATH AVENGED MY LORD THE KING THIS DAY OF SAUL AND OF HIS SEED; for all the evils and injuries they had done him; this being the last of the sons of Saul by a lawful wife, the two remaining were by a concubine; and these men impiously ascribe to the Lord what they with wicked hands had done....

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

LIFE. soul. Hebrew. _nephesh._ App-13. THE LORD. Hebrew. _Jehovah._ App-4....

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