2 Samuel 4:5 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.
2 Samuel 4:5 nkjv
Then the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out and came at about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who was lying on his bed at noon.
2 Samuel 4:5 niv
Now Rekab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out for the house of Ish-Bosheth, and they arrived there in the heat of the day while he was taking his noonday rest.
2 Samuel 4:5 esv
Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the heat of the day they came to the house of Ish-bosheth as he was taking his noonday rest.
2 Samuel 4:5 nlt
One day Recab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth, went to Ishbosheth's house around noon as he was taking his midday rest.
2 Samuel 4 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 4:1 | When Saul’s son Ish-bosheth heard that Abner had died... he lost heart... | Immediate context of Ish-bosheth's vulnerability. |
| 2 Sam 4:6 | They came into the house as if to fetch wheat, and they struck him... | Follow-up verse detailing the act of murder. |
| 2 Sam 4:8 | They brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron... | Consequences of the act presented to David. |
| 2 Sam 4:9-12 | David answered Rechab and Baanah... ‘How much more... wicked men who have slain a righteous person... | David's stern judgment on assassins. |
| 2 Sam 1:15-16 | David called one of the young men and said, "Go, cut him down." So he struck him down... | David punishing an Amalekite for killing Saul. |
| Josh 9:17 | ...and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. | Beeroth as one of the Gibeonite cities. |
| Josh 9:26-27 | Joshua made them on that day woodcutters and drawers of water... | Gibeonites cursed to perpetual servitude. |
| Josh 18:25 | Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth... were assigned to Benjamin. | Confirmation of Beeroth's tribal location. |
| 2 Sam 21:1-6 | ...there was a famine... on account of Saul and his bloody house... because he had put the Gibeonites to death. | Saul's violation of covenant with Gibeonites. |
| Jdg 3:20-21 | Ehud came to him... Eglon was sitting in his cool upper chamber alone. Ehud... thrust it into his belly. | Similar act of assassination during vulnerability. |
| 1 Kgs 15:27 | Baasha... struck him down... as soon as he began to reign. | Another example of king killed by coup. |
| Psa 41:9 | Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. | Theme of betrayal by those trusted or near. |
| Psa 55:12-14 | For it is not an enemy... but you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. | The pain of betrayal. |
| Prov 1:10-16 | My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent... they lie in wait for blood. | Warning against participation in wicked plots. |
| Prov 28:1 | The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. | Reflects the state of those involved in treachery. |
| Matt 26:14-16 | Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me...?" | The sin of selling out one's master for gain. |
| Gen 50:20 | As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good... | God's sovereign hand in seemingly evil acts. |
| Rom 12:19 | Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine..." | Principle of divine retribution, not human. |
| Gal 6:7 | Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. | Spiritual law of cause and effect, applies to evildoers. |
| Heb 9:27 | ...it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment... | Ultimate consequence for all actions. |
2 Samuel 4 verses
2 Samuel 4 5 Meaning
2 Samuel 4:5 describes the actions of Rechab and Baanah, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, as they prepare to assassinate Ish-bosheth. It states that they entered Ish-bosheth's house at midday, a time when he was vulnerable, resting on his bed. This verse sets the scene for the murder of Saul's son and the last king of his house.
2 Samuel 4 5 Context
2 Samuel chapter 4 opens in a state of political instability following the death of Abner, the commander of Saul's army and the key supporter of Ish-bosheth. Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, was merely a figurehead king over Israel, his authority severely weakened after Abner's defection and subsequent assassination. The news of Abner's death disheartened Ish-bosheth and all Israel (2 Sam 4:1), leaving Saul's house truly vulnerable and without strong leadership. It also marks a critical juncture in the power vacuum before David can assume kingship over all Israel. Within this chaotic atmosphere, two opportunistic men, Rechab and Baanah, seized the opportunity to eliminate the weakened king, hoping to curry favor with the rising power, David. This specific verse (2 Sam 4:5) sets the immediate scene for their violent act, highlighting Ish-bosheth's state of profound vulnerability, alone in his house and resting during the heat of the day.
2 Samuel 4 5 Word analysis
- And: Connects the narrative to the preceding verses (2 Sam 4:1-4), showing the immediate progression from Ish-bosheth's state of dismay to the assassins' arrival.
- the sons of Rimmon: Identifies the familial relationship of the two assassins, pointing to their shared motivation or concerted action. Rimmon (רִמּוֹן, Rimmon) means "pomegranate," a common name. His personal character is not elaborated upon, but his sons' actions are significant.
- the Beerothite: Identifies their place of origin, Beeroth (בְּאֵרֹתִי, Be'erothi). Beeroth was one of the four Gibeonite cities (Josh 9:17; Josh 18:25). The Gibeonites had a long-standing, sworn covenant with Israel (Josh 9), which Saul had violated by attempting to exterminate them (2 Sam 21:1-2). This detail potentially provides a complex background for their actions, as they could be acting purely opportunistically or driven by residual resentment against Saul's house, even if their actions here are self-serving.
- Rechab and Baanah: These are the direct perpetrators. Rechab (רֵכָב, Rekhav) means "charioteer" or "rider." Baanah (בַּעֲנָה, Ba'anah) could mean "in affliction" or "son of affliction." They held positions of leadership, being captains of raiding bands (gedudim, 2 Sam 4:2), suggesting they were men of violence and power.
- went, and came: Simple, direct verbs emphasizing their determined and intentional movement toward Ish-bosheth's house. It highlights the planned nature of their approach.
- to the house of Ish-bosheth: Specifies their target. Ish-bosheth (אִישׁ בֹּשֶׁת, Ish Boshet) means "man of shame." His original name was likely Ish-Baal ("man of Baal"), changed to avoid mentioning the pagan deity. This "shame" reflected in his name becomes ironically prophetic for his ignominious end. The fact they came to his house underscores the audacity and intimate betrayal.
- as he lay on a bed: Describes Ish-bosheth's posture and state, revealing his extreme vulnerability. Mishkav (מִשְׁכָּב, mishkav) signifies a place of lying down, implying rest or repose. This detail paints a picture of a victim caught unaware.
- at noon: This specific time, Tsohorayim (צָהֳרַיִם, tsohorayim), or midday, is significant in ancient Near Eastern culture. It was customary for people to rest indoors during the hottest part of the day, making them vulnerable and less guarded. It marks a moment of maximum ease and minimal suspicion, perfect for a surprise attack.
2 Samuel 4 5 Bonus section
The Beerothites' connection to the Gibeonites adds a fascinating, albeit dark, layer to their motivation. While their actions of assassination are condemned by David, and thus by God's standards of justice, there's a possibility that they harbored lingering resentment for King Saul's attempt to annihilate them (2 Sam 21). This act of regicide could be seen by them not just as opportunism for personal gain but as a twisted form of retributive justice against Saul's last direct male heir. This doesn't condone their sin, but it offers a complex lens through which to view their backstory. It emphasizes the intricate web of past injustices that often fuels future conflicts in human history. Moreover, the narrative implies the hand of divine providence, as God orchestrates events, even through wicked deeds, to fulfill His purposes for David's kingdom, as He did in Joseph's life (Gen 50:20).
2 Samuel 4 5 Commentary
2 Samuel 4:5 lays bare the opportunistic and treacherous nature of political power struggles. In a kingdom adrift without firm leadership, Rechab and Baanah, two military leaders, identified a chance to gain personal advantage. Their actions reveal a callous disregard for the anointing of a king, however weak, and highlight the instability plaguing Israel during this transitional period. Ish-bosheth's vulnerability at midday on his bed underscores the ease with which he was targeted, a sad testament to his increasingly isolated and powerless state following Abner's death. This scene serves not only as a dark account of regicide but also foreshadows David's eventual ascendance to the throne of a unified Israel, achieved not by his own hand in vengeance but through God's permissive will amidst human wickedness. The narrative subtly highlights the contrast between the ungodly ambitions of men like Rechab and Baanah, and David's consistent refusal to extend his rule through illegitimate violence against the house of Saul.