2 Samuel 4 11

2 Samuel 4:11 kjv

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?

2 Samuel 4:11 nkjv

How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous person in his own house on his bed? Therefore, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and remove you from the earth?"

2 Samuel 4:11 niv

How much more?when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed?should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!"

2 Samuel 4:11 esv

How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth?"

2 Samuel 4:11 nlt

How much more should I reward evil men who have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed? Shouldn't I hold you responsible for his blood and rid the earth of you?"

2 Samuel 4 verses

2 Samuel 4 11 Meaning

In 2 Samuel 4:11, David declares his severe judgment against Rechab and Baanah for murdering Ish-Bosheth. He emphasizes that if he punished the messenger who falsely claimed to kill Saul (God's anointed), he would demand even greater retribution for their treachery. They murdered Ish-Bosheth, whom David refers to as a "righteous person" (innocent of any crime deserving of this death by them), in his own home, while he was vulnerable and sleeping on his bed. For this heinous act, David affirms that he will justly demand accountability for Ish-Bosheth's shed blood and eradicate the murderers from the earth, signifying their immediate and complete destruction. This verse showcases David's unwavering commitment to justice, his rejection of opportunistic violence, and his assertion of moral authority as king.

2 Samuel 4 11 Context

2 Samuel chapter 4 narrates the assassination of Ish-Bosheth, the son of King Saul, who reigned over Israel's northern tribes while David ruled Judah in Hebron. Following the death of Abner, Ish-Bosheth's general, Ish-Bosheth loses all hope and becomes deeply discouraged. Two of his captains, Rechab and Baanah, seize this moment of weakness to murder him during his midday rest, striking him while he lay defenceless on his bed in his own house. They behead him and bring his head to David, expecting a reward for ridding him of his rival. This verse, 2 Samuel 4:11, contains David's strong condemnation of their act. David, having already lamented Abner's unjust death and executed the Amalekite who falsely claimed responsibility for Saul's death (2 Sam 1:14-16), demonstrates here his unwavering commitment to divine justice rather than pragmatic political gain. His pronouncement underscores his righteous character and his adherence to God's law regarding the sanctity of life and the prohibition of shedding innocent blood, crucial for establishing the moral foundation of his kingship over a united Israel.

2 Samuel 4 11 Word analysis

• How much more: (אַף כִּי - aph ki) This emphatic phrase introduces an a fortiori argument, meaning "how much more certainly." David implies a logical progression: if he punished the previous claimant-killer (2 Sam 1), then the guilt and required punishment for this direct, treacherous murder are far greater and more certain.
• wicked men: (אֲנָשִׁים רְשָׁעִים - anashim resha'im) Designates Rechab and Baanah as evil-doers. Resha'im (wicked) denotes those who are actively rebellious against divine and moral order, specifically in this context, against justice and life.
• have slain: (הָרְגוּ - hargu) A direct and brutal act of killing. The term leaves no ambiguity about their culpability.
• a righteous person: (צַדִּיק - tzaddiq) Crucial term. Ish-Bosheth is deemed "righteous" or "innocent" not in a comprehensive theological sense of sinlessness, but relative to the treacherous act of his murderers. He was innocent of any crime that warranted such a violent death at their hands, making his blood "innocent blood." This emphasizes the extreme nature of the crime and David's commitment to protecting the vulnerable.
• in his own house: (בְּבֵיתוֹ - b'veito) This highlights a profound violation of sanctuary. A man's home was his safe haven; this act was a betrayal of a fundamental expectation of security and hospitality.
• upon his bed: (עַל מִשְׁכָּבוֹ - al mishkavo) Signifies the victim's utter vulnerability and helplessness, adding another layer of heinousness to the crime. He was ambushed while in the most private and vulnerable state of rest.
• shall I not therefore now require his blood: (וְעַתָּה הֲלֹא אֲבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־דָּמוֹ - v'attah halo avakkesh et damo) "Require his blood" means to demand full legal and divine retribution for the taking of his life. David, as the king, is Yahweh's appointed agent for dispensing such justice. It underscores accountability.
• of your hand: (מִיֶּדְכֶם - miyedchem) Directly attributes responsibility and guilt to the perpetrators. Their hands are stained with the innocent blood.
• and take you away from the earth: (וְהִשְׁמַדְתִּי אֶתְכֶם מִן־הָאָרֶץ - v'hishmadeti etkhem min ha'aretz) Signifies absolute eradication and total destruction. This is not just banishment but capital punishment, a complete removal from the land, which, in Israelite thought, meant removal from the community of God's people and the inheritance He gives. It represents the full extent of the divine judgment exacted through the king.

2 Samuel 4 11 Bonus section

• The immediacy of David's response (execution right after the declaration, 2 Sam 4:12) highlights his swift and unwavering administration of justice, leaving no room for doubt or further treachery.
• The emphasis on "blood" (dam) in the Old Testament often carries profound theological weight, representing life itself (Lev 17:11, Deut 12:23). Its unjust shedding is an offense against the Giver of life, defiling the land and demanding recompense.
• David's action reinforces the principle of accountability (Gen 9:6), establishing a standard for his kingship: all life, especially innocent life, is sacred and protected by the crown. This moral clarity was essential for unifying the tribes and setting apart his reign as truly chosen by God.
• While Ish-Bosheth's character may be debated by some scholars (he was portrayed as weak), David's labeling him as "righteous" (tzaddiq) or "innocent" firmly places him in the category of victims of unjust killing. This highlights David's consistent moral framework even towards political rivals, showing his commitment to higher divine principles.

2 Samuel 4 11 Commentary

David's words in 2 Samuel 4:11 are not just a sentencing but a powerful declaration of his commitment to a just and God-honoring rule. By contrast with the opportunism of Rechab and Baanah, who expected commendation for their act of calculated evil, David unequivocally condemns treachery and bloodshed, especially when it targets the vulnerable. His refusal to accept Ish-Bosheth's death as a convenience or to reward its perpetrators marks him as a righteous king, aligning himself with divine law against innocent blood. This action distinguishes David's kingdom from the brutal power struggles common in the ancient Near East and underscores that God's chosen king governs by justice, not by ruthless pragmatism. It solidified his moral authority to rule over all Israel and assured the populace that his ascension would not usher in an era of chaos but one of stability under God's laws.

• Example for Practical Usage: When faced with temptation to gain advantage through deceit or harm to others, recall David's stance here. True divine blessing comes from upholding righteousness, even when the path of expedience seems easier or more rewarding. The Lord desires justice and faithfulness, not human craftiness.