Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Samuel+004
CHAPTER 4 (ESV)
5 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. 6 And they came into the midst of the house as if to get wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. 7 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, 8 and brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron. And they said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. The Lord has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring.” 9 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, 10 when one told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. 11 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?” 12 And David commanded his young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hanged them beside the pool at Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner at Hebron.
REFLECTION:
- Two assassinations cleared the way for David to become ruler of a united Israel (3:22-39 & 4:1-12); however, he had no part in either. Joab’s main objective in killing Abner was revenge for his brother Asahel who had been killed by Abner in battle. Ish-Bosheth’s assassins hoped to be rewarded for bringing David “good news”!
- David quickly acted to show his people he had nothing to do with either death. He publicly mourned and honoured Abner, and he executed the two men who assassinated Ish-Bosheth and gave a proper burial for him.
- Justice and righteousness are essential for good government. David displayed such qualities in his governing, especially in his early years. We may benefit from sinful acts of others. But we should never rejoice in them.
PRAYER:
Hear me, LORD, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips. Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right. Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed. Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded. My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled. (Ps 17:1-5)
HYMN:
Every Step – youtu.be/zuUkOzu7SU0
