Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 4

Introduction

Overview

2 Samuel 4:1, The Israelites being troubled at the death of Abner, 2 Samuel 4:2, Baanah and Rechab slay Ish-bosheth, and bring his head to Hebron; 2 Samuel 4:9, David causes them to be slain, and Ish-bosheth’s head to be buried.

Verse 1

his hands: 2 Samuel 17:2, Ezra 4:4, Nehemiah 6:9, Isaiah 13:7, Isaiah 35:3, Jeremiah 6:24, Jeremiah 50:43, Zephaniah 3:16

and all: Matthew 2:2, Matthew 2:3

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 30:31 - Hebron

Verse 2

captains: 2 Samuel 3:22, 2 Kings 5:2, 2 Kings 6:23

other: Heb. second

Beeroth: Joshua 9:17, Joshua 18:25

Reciprocal: Daniel 11:26 - that feed

Verse 3

1 Samuel 31:7, Nehemiah 11:33

Reciprocal: Joshua 4:9 - and they are there 2 Samuel 6:10 - Gittite 1 Chronicles 13:13 - the Gittite

Verse 4

Jonathan: 2 Samuel 9:3

when the tidings: 1 Samuel 29:1, 1 Samuel 29:11, 1 Samuel 31:1-10

Mephibosheth: 1 Chronicles 8:34, 1 Chronicles 9:40, Meribbaal

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 19:26 - thy servant 2 Samuel 21:7 - Mephibosheth 1 Kings 11:17 - Hadad Matthew 24:19 - General

Verse 5

went: 2 Chronicles 24:25, 2 Chronicles 25:27, 2 Chronicles 33:24

lay on a bed: It is customary, in all hot countries, to travel or work very early and very late, and to rest at noon, at which time the heat most prevails. 2 Samuel 11:2, 1 Kings 16:9, Proverbs 24:33, Proverbs 24:34, 1 Thessalonians 5:3-7

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 2:8 - Ishbosheth Esther 2:21 - and sought Proverbs 29:12 - General

Verse 6

as though: It is still the custom of the East, according to Dr. Perry, to allow the soldiers a certain quantity of corn, with other articles of provision, together with some pay, and as it was the custom also to grind the corn, as needed, at the break of day, these two captains very naturally went the day before to the palace, where the king's stores appear to have been kept, to fetch wheat, in order to distribute it to the soldiers under them, to be ground at the accustomed hour in the morning. The princes of the East, in those days, as appears from the history of David, reposed on their couches till the cool of the evening: they therefore came in the heat of the day, when they knew their master would be resting on his bed; and as it was a necessary to have the corn before it was needed, their coming at this time, though it might be earlier than usual, excited no suspicion.

under: 2 Samuel 2:23, 2 Samuel 3:27, 2 Samuel 20:10

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 8:8 - wheat 2 Samuel 2:8 - Ishbosheth Esther 2:21 - and sought

Verse 7

took his head: 1 Samuel 17:54, 1 Samuel 31:9, 2 Kings 10:6, 2 Kings 10:7, Matthew 14:11, Mark 6:28, Mark 6:29, When those difficulties dispirit us which should rather invigorate us and sharpen our endeavours, we betray a carelessness of character which is soon taken advantage of by our more watchful neighbours. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty and ruin. The idle soul is an easy prey to the destroyer.

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 20:16 - Let the Lord 2 Samuel 11:2 - arose from

Verse 8

sought: 1 Samuel 18:11, 1 Samuel 19:2-11, 1 Samuel 19:15, 1 Samuel 20:1, 1 Samuel 23:15, 1 Samuel 25:29, Psalms 63:9, Psalms 63:10, Psalms 71:24, Matthew 2:20

the Lord: 2 Samuel 18:19, 2 Samuel 18:31, 2 Samuel 22:48, Luke 18:7, Luke 18:8, Revelation 6:10, Revelation 18:20

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 20:16 - Let the Lord 1 Samuel 24:4 - the men 2 Samuel 16:8 - the blood

Verse 9

who hath: Genesis 48:16, 1 Kings 1:29, Psalms 31:5-7, Psalms 34:6, Psalms 34:7, Psalms 34:17, Psalms 34:22, Psalms 71:23, Psalms 103:4, Psalms 106:10, Psalms 107:2, 2 Timothy 4:17, 2 Timothy 4:18

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:16 - Ahab rose up Psalms 54:7 - For he Psalms 71:17 - hitherto Psalms 72:14 - he shall Proverbs 12:13 - but Proverbs 20:26 - wise

Verse 10

one: 2 Samuel 1:2-16

thinking: etc. Heb. he was in his own eyes, as a bringer, etc. who thought, etc. or, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings.

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 1:15 - Go near 2 Samuel 18:13 - wrought 1 Chronicles 12:1 - these are Job 31:29 - General Psalms 101:7 - He that worketh 1 Corinthians 13:6 - Rejoiceth not 1 Timothy 6:10 - the love

Verse 11

when wicked: 1 Kings 2:32, Proverbs 25:26, Habakkuk 1:4, Habakkuk 1:12, 1 John 3:12

require: 2 Samuel 3:27, 2 Samuel 3:39, Genesis 9:5, Genesis 9:6, Exodus 21:12, Numbers 35:31-34, Psalms 9:12

from: Genesis 4:11, Genesis 6:13, Genesis 7:23, Exodus 9:15, Psalms 109:15, Proverbs 2:22, Jeremiah 10:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:4 - wilt Joshua 2:19 - his blood Job 31:29 - General Lamentations 1:6 - all Ezekiel 3:18 - but Ezekiel 33:6 - his blood Habakkuk 1:13 - the wicked 1 Timothy 6:10 - the love Hebrews 9:14 - How

Verse 12

slew them: 2 Samuel 1:15, Psalms 55:23, Matthew 7:2

hanged: 2 Samuel 21:9, Deuteronomy 21:22, Deuteronomy 21:23

in the sepulchre: 2 Samuel 3:32

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 21:14 - buried 1 Kings 2:25 - he fell 1 Chronicles 8:33 - Eshbaal Lamentations 1:6 - all