2 Samuel 4 9

2 Samuel 4:9 kjv

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,

2 Samuel 4:9 nkjv

But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all adversity,

2 Samuel 4:9 niv

David answered Rekab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, "As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble,

2 Samuel 4:9 esv

But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity,

2 Samuel 4:9 nlt

But David said to Recab and Baanah, "The LORD, who saves me from all my enemies, is my witness.

2 Samuel 4 verses

2 Samuel 4 9 Meaning

David's response to Rechab and Baanah is a solemn oath invoking the living God, stating that just as God has consistently delivered his own life from every form of distress and trouble, so too will God's justice prevail against the unrighteous acts of those who committed murder. This statement serves as the divine foundation and justification for David's impending judgment upon the two assassins, grounding his authority in God's active involvement in his life and His character as a deliverer and righteous judge.

2 Samuel 4 9 Context

This verse occurs after the assassination of Ish-bosheth, Saul's son and the nominal king over the tribes of Israel, by his two captains, Rechab and Baanah. They brought Ish-bosheth's head to David, expecting reward for what they presumed would be seen as an act beneficial to David's consolidation of power. However, David had previously demonstrated his firm stand against shedding the blood of divinely appointed individuals, even his adversaries. He mourned Saul's death and executed the Amalekite who claimed responsibility (2 Sam 1:1-16). He also mourned Abner's death, emphasizing his kingdom's innocence regarding that blood (2 Sam 3:28-29). David was divinely appointed, and his reign was meant to be established by God, not by treachery and bloodshed. The historical and cultural context includes the concept of bloodguilt, where unjustified killing defiles the land and demands justice, as well as the importance of an oath sworn by God's name, signifying its absolute truth and solemnity. The Beerothites were a Gibeonite clan, implying a historical covenant (Josh 9:17) which would make their treachery against any king in Israel especially heinous, as it violated historical obligations.

2 Samuel 4 9 Word analysis

• And David answered: David's response is swift and decisive, reflecting his commitment to justice rather than opportunism. His actions are not self-serving but based on divine principles.
• Rechab and Baanah his brother: The assassins, described by their relationship, emphasizing their concerted action in treachery. They are from a clan (Beerothites) whose ancestors were bound by a covenant with Israel (Joshua 9), heightening the betrayal.
• the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite: Specifies their identity and lineage. Their origin links them to Gibeon, suggesting a deep-seated contempt for legitimate authority and covenants, even against a weak king.
• 'As the LORD lives,': (Hebrew: חַי־יְהוָ֧ה, chai-YHWH) This is a most solemn and sacred oath, affirming the living God as the ultimate truth and authority. It is an appeal to God's very being and faithfulness, implying that the speaker's ensuing words or actions are guaranteed by God Himself. David uses it to emphasize the absolute certainty and divine backing of his judgment.
• who has redeemed: (Hebrew: פָּדָה, padah) Implies not just deliverance, but a deliberate act of liberation, often involving a ransom or rescue from a perilous state. This verb signifies active, saving intervention by God.
• my soul: (Hebrew: נַפְשִׁ֑י, nafshi) Refers to David's very life, his being, his entire person. It emphasizes a complete and holistic rescue, affecting his innermost self.
• out of all adversity: (Hebrew: מִכֹּל צָרָה, mikol-tsārāh) "Tsārāh" means distress, trouble, anguish, or tribulation. "All" stresses the comprehensive nature of God's deliverance throughout David's tumultuous life, from the pursuit of Saul, conflicts with Philistines, and various other perils. This personal testimony underscores David's deep and unwavering reliance on God's consistent rescue, which now serves as the foundation for his righteous judgment on others.

• "David answered... Beerothite, and said to them": This phrase sets up a direct confrontation, highlighting David's authoritative stance and immediate address of the assassins' presumption.
• "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul": This forms the crucial nexus of the verse. David bases his forthcoming judgment not on his personal feelings or political ambition, but on God's active, faithful, and past deliverance in his own life. God's character as a Redeemer provides the moral and theological foundation for David's just condemnation of the assassins.
• "redeemed my soul out of all adversity": This personal testimony emphasizes David's past reliance on God for protection from myriad dangers. It underscores that his ascension to the throne is by divine hand, not by human treachery or conspiracy, distinguishing his reign from that of Saul, whose house fell due to their own wickedness and the judgment of God, not due to David's manipulation.

2 Samuel 4 9 Bonus section

The strong contrast between Ish-bosheth’s weak and faithless household and David's righteous and divinely sustained kingdom is starkly highlighted. While Ish-bosheth was murdered by his own opportunistic captains, David had survived countless adversaries only through God's direct intervention. David's response sets a crucial precedent for his future reign, emphasizing that his kingdom would be established on righteousness and justice, not on human manipulation, treachery, or bloodshed. This moment is not merely David asserting his power, but him acting as God's anointed agent of justice on Earth, ensuring that the blood of the innocent, particularly those associated with the former royal house, would not fall upon him or his nascent kingdom.

2 Samuel 4 9 Commentary

2 Samuel 4:9 is pivotal, showcasing David's steadfast commitment to divine justice rather than pragmatic political gain. When confronted with Ish-bosheth's assassins, David did not opportunistically embrace their act, which might have cleared his path to the throne. Instead, he vehemently condemned it. His opening oath, "As the LORD lives," grounds his authority not in his kingship alone, but in his deep, personal relationship with God, who had consistently delivered him from his own adversities. This echoes David's own understanding that true kingship is ordained and upheld by God, and murder, especially against the Lord's anointed (even a nominal one like Ish-bosheth, who was still Saul's heir), is a transgression against divine order. David's experience of God as his personal Redeemer from "all adversity" fortifies his resolve to execute righteous judgment. His past sufferings, navigated through God's faithful hand, shaped his understanding of God's character as a just God who will not countenance wickedness and bloodshed without accountability. This verse demonstrates David's principle: God’s means must be as pure as God’s ends.