The Death of Ishbosheth
2 Samuel 4:5-12
And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth…


I. THE MOTIVES that induced those two traitors to murder Ishbosheth were:

1. Abner's death had disabled him for any royal duty.

2. All the tribes were in a confusion to hear their peacemaker was slain; hereupon they now doubted of obtaining David's favour.

3. None of Saul's house (beside concubine sons incapable of the crown) were alive to revenge Ishbosheth's murder, save only Mephibosheth.

4. These two traitors, therefore, thought that by their removing useless Ishbosheth out of David's way the Crown of the whole kingdom must needs come to him without any contradiction.

II. WHAT RECEPTION THESE TWO TRAITORS FOUND WITH DAVID WHEN THEY PRESENTED ISHBOSHETH'S HEAD TO HIM.

1. David abhors the villany, and resolves with an oath to execute the villains.

2. Hereupon David justly commanded their execution, and cut off their hands that had done the deed, and their feet that carried them away with this present.

(C. Ness.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.

WEB: The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, as he took his rest at noon.




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