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 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.
5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
6 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.
7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.
8 And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.
9 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,
10 When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:
11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?
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.
World Behind This Chapter
Explore the people, places, language, history, and material world connected to 2 Samuel 4.
Why is Mephibosheth introduced here?
The notice prepares for his larger role in 2 Samuel 9 and later succession politics.
Who were Rechab and Baanah?
They are officers who assassinate Ish-bosheth and expect David to reward them.
Why does David execute Ish-bosheth's killers?
David publicly rejects their claim that assassination served his political interests.
Sources to ExploreCurated research paths for this chapter 3
History & Daily Life1
- An Israelite Palace East of the Jordan?Biblical Archaeology Society
Discusses a recent proposal connecting decorated stone blocks in Jordan with Mahanaim, the city associated with Ish-bosheth’s court. Clearly presents the identification as a proposal rather than settled fact.
Maps & Timeline1
- Mahanaim and PenielBible Mapper
Map-based study of Mahanaim and Peniel as fortified sites guarding routes near the Jabbok River and Jordan Valley. Useful context for Ish-bosheth’s court east of the Jordan, though the precise location of Mahanaim remains debated.
Language & Literature1
- Ish-bosheth and Eshbaal: The Name of Saul’s SonTheTorah.com
Explains why Saul’s son is called Ish-bosheth in Samuel but Eshbaal in Chronicles, introducing readers to scribal and editorial changes in royal names involving the element “Baal.”

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