2 Samuel 4
McGeeCHAPTERS 4 AND 5THEME: David is made king over all of Israel
2 Samuel 4:1
ISH-BOSHETH, THE SON OF SAUL, IS KILLEDTroubled times for the nation Israel continue in this chapter. Internal strife and civil war followed the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. It was a time of great heartache and heartbreak for God’s people. This section of the Word of God is usually passed over. I am confident, however, that it has been given to us for at least two reasons: (1) To show us the family of the Lord Jesus Christ and to give us His genealogy; and (2) to give us an example. Paul tells us, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition …” (1Co_10:11). It has been given to us that it might minister to us in a spiritual way. We have already seen that there had been a rebellion against David, who had been made king of the tribe of Judah. He had moved to Hebron, which was situated just at the edge of the kingdom in the south. Abner had led a rebellion by putting Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, on the throne. But because Ish-bosheth reprimanded and rebuked him for taking one of Saul’s concubines into his own harem, Abner left the house of Saul and allied himself with David. This was a mistake, because Joab was waiting to kill Abner in revenge for the slaying of his brother Asahel. Now that Ish-bosheth has lost Abner, his military captain, his army is weak. He knows he cannot maintain his kingdom against David without an army. Abner has been murdered. What is he going to do? The Beerothites were ejected by Saul and they fled to Gittaim. Beeroth, their town, passed into the possession of Benjamin.
2 Samuel 4:4
Mephibosheth is an unusual name, but please remember it. The story about Mephibosheth and David is one of the most beautiful stories ever told. This boy was Jonathan’s son. As long as he lived, he was a constant danger to David because he had throne rights. Since he was Jonathan’s son, however, David would never harm a hair of his head. Later on David will go looking for family members of Saul and Jonathan, not to slay them, but to show them kindness.
2 Samuel 4:5
These two underlings, Rechab and Baanah, were petty officers under Abner in the army of Saul. When they discovered that Abner was deadand they recognized the strength and power of Davidthey conspired to put Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, to death. When Ish-bosheth was in bed, they slipped in upon him and slew him. It was a bloody, ugly thing that they did. It was also a mistake, by the way. By killing this man they expected to make peace with David. In fact, they thought David would reward them for their act.
2 Samuel 4:7
They took the head of Ish-bosheth (imagine that!) to David. David was not about to accept it. David would never approve a thing like that.
2 Samuel 4:12
Rechab and Baanah were murderersmurderers of a king. David executed them summarily for their dastardly deed. The eleven tribes in the north recognize that they no longer have any leadership and that it is foolish to carry on rebellion against David at this time. So they attempt to make overtures of peace.