2 Samuel 4:1-4

4. The King in Gilead Slain, 2 Samuel 4:1-12.

Mephibosheth Introduced. 2 Samuel 4:1-4

And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
2 And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin:

3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)
4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

1.

What was the effect of Abner's death on the rest of Israel? 2 Samuel 4:1

When Ish-bosheth heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, he felt weak; his hands were feeble. All the Israelites were troubled by this sudden turn of events. It is doubtful that the Israelites were afraid of what would happen, but they must have been disappointed and afraid that their wish for David's ruling over them might not be fulfilled. Such a tragic event would slow up the negotiations.

2.

Who were the Beerothites? 2 Samuel 4:2

Beeroth was an old Caananite city and one of the four controlled by Gibeon (Joshua 9:17). A modern El Bireh, a site with a fine spring of water, has been identified as the probable location. The town was reckoned as belonging to Benjamin (Joshua 18:25). The Beerothites had fled to Gittim, also a city of Benjamin (Nehemiah 11:33). They, thus, became considered as a part of the Benjamite community, but evidently did not attain full citizenship. Later on, we learn that Saul had tried to exterminate the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21:1-11). This slaying of Saul's son by the Beerothites may be vengeance that they take into their own hands.

3.

Who was Mephibosheth? 2 Samuel 4:3

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan. In 1 Chronicles 8:34, his name is Merib-baal. It is the same in 1 Chronicles 9:40, Merib-baal means Baal's warrior. Mephibosheth means one who puffs at a shameful thing. His name was probably changed when he was taken into David's family at a later time (2 Samuel 9:1-13). Since he was five years old when his father was killed in the battle with the Philistines, he was about twelve years old at the time when David was made king over all Israel. He is mentioned at the time of Ish-bosheth's death, since he would be the only other survivors and heir apparent to the throne of Saul.