2 Samuel 4 3

2 Samuel 4:3 kjv

And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)

2 Samuel 4:3 nkjv

because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been sojourners there until this day.)

2 Samuel 4:3 niv

because the people of Beeroth fled to Gittaim and have resided there as foreigners to this day.

2 Samuel 4:3 esv

the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been sojourners there to this day).

2 Samuel 4:3 nlt

because the original people of Beeroth fled to Gittaim, where they still live as foreigners.

2 Samuel 4 verses

2 Samuel 4 3 Meaning

This verse serves as an explanatory note within the narrative of 2 Samuel, elucidating the context surrounding the lineage and fate of Saul's house. It highlights that the original inhabitants of Beeroth, identified as Beerothites, had fled from their homeland and sought refuge in a place called Gittaim. Their status there was that of "sojourners" or resident aliens, implying they did not hold native rights or full citizenship in Gittaim. The phrase "to this day" signifies that this displaced and non-native status was a lasting reality known to the original readers or hearers of the text. This flight was likely a direct or indirect consequence of the chaotic and precarious state of affairs within Saul's kingdom, particularly related to his actions against the Gibeonites (to which the Beerothites belonged) and the ensuing political instability.

2 Samuel 4 3 Context

Chapter 4 of 2 Samuel continues the narrative following the death of Abner, Ish-bosheth's key general and supporter, whose demise critically weakened Ish-bosheth's claim to the throne of Israel. Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, was titular king over the tribes loyal to Saul, ruling from Mahanaim, while David reigned in Hebron over Judah. The preceding chapters meticulously detail the decline of Saul's house and the rise of David, marked by various power struggles and personal tragedies. The mention of Beerothites in verse 3 is a parenthetical note. It elaborates on the historical condition of people closely tied to Benjamin, the tribe of Saul, yet existing in a state of prolonged displacement. This detail serves to highlight the instability and deep-seated consequences of the ongoing civil conflict and Saul's earlier unrighteous actions against the Gibeonites (to which the Beerothites belonged), setting the stage for Ish-bosheth's final, brutal demise in the following verses and David's eventual uncontested kingship over all Israel.

2 Samuel 4 3 Word analysis

• But: Introduces a significant clarifying detail that pauses the main narrative flow, offering background information crucial to understanding the social and political landscape.
• the Beerothites: Hebrew: בְּאֵרֹתִים (bəʾērōṯîm). Refers to the residents of Beeroth, one of the four cities of the Gibeonites (Josh 9:17). They were a non-Israelite people group with whom Joshua made a perpetual covenant of peace. Saul later attempted to annihilate them, violating this sacred oath (2 Sam 21:1-2). Their presence here underscores the lingering consequences of Saul's treachery and the overall breakdown of order.
• had fled: Hebrew: וַיִּבְרְחוּ (wayyiḇrəḥū). From the verb בָּרַח (baraḥ), meaning "to flee, escape, or run away." It implies a hasty and desperate movement, driven by fear, threat, or necessity, indicating a perceived danger in their homeland. This action marks a permanent departure, not a temporary evacuation.
• to Gittaim: Hebrew: גִתַּיִם (gittaʹyim). The destination of their flight. Not extensively mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. Its location is thought to be in Benjamin, but it seems to be outside the direct control or area where they felt safe under Ish-bosheth's waning rule. Its very name, potentially signifying "twin presses" or "two springs," hints at a place capable of sustaining a displaced population.
• and were sojourners there: Hebrew: גָּרִים (gārîm). From the noun גֵּר (ger), meaning a "sojourner," "alien," or "resident foreigner." This signifies that upon arrival in Gittaim, they did not acquire full citizenship or land rights; they remained resident strangers. Their status emphasizes their rootlessness and the loss of their former standing, a common fate for those displaced by conflict.
• to this day: Hebrew: עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה (ʿad hayyōwm hazzeh). A formulaic phrase used frequently by biblical narrators (especially in Deuteronomistic history) to denote that an event described in the past had a lasting outcome, persisting into the time when the narrative was written or orally recited. It assures the audience of the historical accuracy and continuing relevance of the reported condition, indicating a well-known historical reality. It points to a profound and enduring effect of the described event, demonstrating a permanent alteration of their social status and geographical ties.

2 Samuel 4 3 Bonus section

• The detail of the Beerothites' flight might have served as historical proof for the Deuteronomistic Historian to connect the present state of these people with the long-term consequences of Saul's covenant-breaking, setting a contrast for David's rule which ultimately restored justice to the Gibeonites (2 Sam 21).
• The use of "sojourners" evokes the theme of Israel's own identity as a people who were once "sojourners" in Egypt, and how their law required them to treat resident aliens with justice and love. The Beerothites, ironically, suffered from a lack of such justice under Saul.
• Gittaim is likely located near Aijalon or Beth-horon in the tribe of Benjamin, suggesting they did not flee very far geographically but still effectively removed themselves from the heartland of Saul's weakened influence. This further illustrates the fear of being caught in the collapsing structure of Saul's rule.
• The absence of the Beerothites in their own town during Ish-bosheth's fall is a symbolic indicator of the decay of the kingdom Saul founded; his regime could not even protect its supposed subjects, or, indeed, the stability of the entire region.

2 Samuel 4 3 Commentary

2 Samuel 4:3 is a brief but profound explanatory note that provides crucial socio-political context to the deteriorating situation of Saul's house. It highlights the lasting repercussions of King Saul's faithless actions, specifically his attempt to eradicate the Gibeonites, of whom the Beerothites were a part. This act violated an ancient, divinely witnessed covenant (Josh 9), ultimately leading to a divine curse later explained (2 Sam 21). Their flight to Gittaim and subsequent status as "sojourners" illustrate the general instability and fear prevalent during this transitional period between Saul's failing monarchy and David's consolidating reign. The phrase "to this day" underscores that this displacement was not a fleeting event but a prolonged and recognizable state of affairs, signaling the deep scars left by internal strife and broken covenants within Israel. It implicitly contrasts the chaos of human-centered rule that disregards divine covenants with the potential for order and justice under a king chosen by God, like David, who would eventually address the Gibeonite wrong. The verse subtly portrays the far-reaching impact of national sins, even on innocent populations, foreshadowing the inevitable fall of a kingdom built on disobedience and instability.