2 Samuel 4 7

2 Samuel 4:7 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 4:7 nkjv

For when they came into the house, he was lying on his bed in his bedroom; then they struck him and killed him, beheaded him and took his head, and were all night escaping through the plain.

2 Samuel 4:7 niv

They had gone into the house while he was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head. Taking it with them, they traveled all night by way of the Arabah.

2 Samuel 4:7 esv

When they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and put him to death and beheaded him. They took his head and went by the way of the Arabah all night,

2 Samuel 4:7 nlt

They went into the house and found Ishbosheth sleeping on his bed. They struck and killed him and cut off his head. Then, taking his head with them, they fled across the Jordan Valley through the night.

2 Samuel 4 verses

2 Samuel 4 7 Meaning

This verse precisely details the gruesome assassination of Ish-bosheth, King Saul's son and claimant to the throne, by two of his own captains, Rechab and Baanah. It describes their surreptitious entry into his home, his vulnerable state during an afternoon nap in his private chamber, their swift and brutal actions of striking, killing, beheading him, and their subsequent flight with his severed head throughout the night across the plain to present it to David. The act demonstrates extreme treachery, violence, and a profound misjudgment of David's character, highlighting the brutal nature of power struggles in that era.

2 Samuel 4 7 Context

2 Samuel 4:7 is a pivotal verse marking the end of the civil war between the house of Saul and the house of David, solidifying David's claim to the throne of all Israel. The broader context of 2 Samuel 4 depicts Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, reigning a fragile kingdom from Mahanaim, relying heavily on his general, Abner. Abner's assassination by Joab in the preceding chapter (2 Sam 3) severely weakens Ish-bosheth's position, leaving him vulnerable and his kingdom without strong leadership. The assassination of Ish-bosheth in this verse follows Abner’s death, presenting it as an act by ambitious individuals who mistakenly believed they would earn David's favor by eliminating his rival. This event sets the stage for David to become king over all twelve tribes, fulfilling God's promise, but highlights that human treachery, rather than divine directive, executed the act, which David immediately condemned and punished.

2 Samuel 4 7 Word Analysis

• For they came into the house:
  • "came" (Hebrew: וַיָּבֹאוּ, vayyav'u): Indicates an intentional, forceful, and likely stealthy entry. They sought Ish-bosheth specifically.
  • "house" (Hebrew: הַבַּיִת, ha-bayit): Refers to the royal residence or palace where Ish-bosheth lived, not merely a common dwelling. This signifies a grave violation of the sanctity of the king's home.
• while he lay on his bed in his bedchamber:
  • "lay on his bed": Portrays Ish-bosheth's utter vulnerability and state of rest, possibly a mid-day siesta (compare 2 Sam 11:2 for another common time for rulers to be resting). It emphasizes the betrayal.
  • "bedchamber" (Hebrew: בְּחֶדֶר מִשְׁכָּבוֹ, b'cheder mishkavo): This translates to "his room of lying down" or "his private sleeping chamber." This was the most intimate and secure part of the royal abode. The intrusion here signifies an unprecedented breach of privacy and safety, making the crime more heinous.
• and smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him:
  • "smote him" (Hebrew: וַיַּכֻּהוּ, vayakkuhu): To strike, hit. The initial violent act.
  • "slew him" (Hebrew: וַיְמִיתֻהוּ, vay'mituhu): To kill, put to death. The definitive act of ending his life. This progression from "smote" to "slew" indicates a clear intention to kill.
  • "beheaded him" (Hebrew: וַיִּכְרְתוּ אֶת־רֹאשׁוֹ, vayyikhretu et-rosho): "Cut off his head." This action goes beyond merely killing. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, beheading served multiple purposes: (1) Absolute proof of death to those who commissioned or would reward the act. (2) Extreme humiliation and desecration of the deceased's body and honor. (3) A symbolic triumph over an enemy. It signifies a cruel and definitive end to Ish-bosheth's life and reign.
• and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night:
  • "took his head": Emphasizes the purpose of the beheading—not just for mutilation, but for transport as a trophy or token of accomplishment to secure a reward from David. It was an object to be presented.
  • "gat them away": Implies a rapid departure, an escape.
  • "through the plain" (Hebrew: דֶּרֶךְ הָעֲרָבָה, derekh ha'aravah): Refers specifically to the Jordan Valley or "Araba." This was a significant and distinct geographical feature. It indicates the specific route taken from Mahanaim (east of the Jordan) towards Hebron (west of the Jordan, David's capital). This route was likely chosen for its directness and speed.
  • "all night" (Hebrew: כָּל־הַלַּיְלָה, kol-hallaylah): Highlights the urgency and haste of their journey, traveling under the cover of darkness to avoid detection and swiftly deliver their "prize" to David, expecting a reward.

• "came into the house... bedchamber... smote him, and slew him": This sequence of actions meticulously describes an premeditated, invasive, and murderous assault on a king in his most vulnerable state, underscoring the profound treachery involved.
• "beheaded him, and took his head": This phrase details the complete dehumanization and desecration of Ish-bosheth, emphasizing the trophy-like nature of the head to be presented to David as "proof" of their deed.
• "took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night": This group of phrases highlights the calculated ambition and desperate urgency of the assassins, revealing their clear intent to receive favor by swift action, despite the horror of their crime.

2 Samuel 4 7 Bonus Section

The detail of Ish-bosheth resting in his "bedchamber" (חֶדֶר מִשְׁכָּב, cheder mishkav) evokes not just privacy but also security, a place typically impenetrable. The assassins’ ability to breach this innermost sanctuary highlights the internal corruption and profound betrayal within Ish-bosheth's own guard, as Rechab and Baanah were his own "captains of raiding bands." Their choice to travel "through the plain all night" signifies more than mere haste; the Araba (Jordan Valley) was a well-known, direct route but also potentially dangerous and exposed. Traveling by night under the desert stars further dramatizes their desperate and covert mission, embodying the dark nature of their deed as they sought to deliver what they presumed to be glad tidings to David. Their actions reveal a pervasive opportunism and a deep-seated lack of understanding regarding the ethical framework of true leadership as exemplified by David and expected by the God of Israel.

2 Samuel 4 7 Commentary

2 Samuel 4:7 succinctly narrates the climax of Ish-bosheth's brief, weak reign, marking a critical transition point in the history of Israel. The detailed, gruesome actions—striking, slaying, beheading, and transporting the head—paint a vivid picture of extreme treachery and cold-blooded murder. The assassins, Rechab and Baanah, clearly believed that removing David's last remaining rival would garner them great reward, exhibiting a profound misjudgment of David's character and the divine principles he largely upheld. David had repeatedly shown respect for God's anointed, even Saul, his pursuer (1 Sam 24; 26), and mourned his adversaries (2 Sam 1:17-27, 3:31-39). This verse sets the stage for David's decisive response in the following verses (2 Sam 4:8-12), where he condemns their actions as shedding innocent blood and executes them for their wickedness, reaffirming justice and the proper, God-ordained process of ascension to the throne. It serves as a reminder that while God's plan unfolds, He does not condone the evil means by which men sometimes act, and such actions often face immediate divine or human judgment.