Bible Chapter Summary
2 Samuel 4 Summary
Death of Ish-bosheth and End of House of Saul
Learning that Abner is dead, Ish-bosheth loses courage and all Israel is troubled. Two captains of bands, Rechab and Baanah, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, enter Ish-bosheth's house and slay him while he rests at noon, then bring his severed head to David at Hebron claiming to have avenged him. David, remembering his earlier judgment on the messenger who claimed to have slain Saul, executes Rechab and Baanah and orders their hands and feet hung over the pool in Hebron. Ish-bosheth's head is buried in Abner's sepulcher, removing the last obstacle to David's rule over all Israel.
Key themes
Key verses
2 Samuel 4:1
“And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.”
2 Samuel 4:6-7
“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 and Baanah his brother escaped.”
2 Samuel 4:9-11
“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,”
2 Samuel 4:12
“And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.”
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