2 Samuel 4 Explained – A 5 Minute Bible Study

2 Samuel 4 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Saul died in approximately 1055 B.C., after reigning over Israel for 40 years.

• David became king over Judah the same year. He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all of Israel.  

CHARACTERS:

• David – He would eventually become the 2nd king over all Israel. In 2 Samuel 4, he was king over the people of Judah.

• Abner – The leader of the army of Israel. He was killed by Joab in 2 Samuel 3.

• Ish-bosheth – The son of Saul. He was king in Israel while David was king in Judah.

• Mephibosheth – The grandson of Saul and son of Jonathan. He was lame and unable to walk.

• Rechab and Baanah – Two brothers who assassinated Ish-bosheth. Rechab and Baanah were brothers (4:5).

WHERE:

• David lived at Hebron.

• Ish-bosheth’s house was probably located at Mahanaim (2 Sam 2:8), on the east side of the Jordan River.

OUTLINE:

• THE ASSASINATION OF ISH-BOSHETH (4:1-12):

  • When Ish-bosheth heard about the death of Abner, his “courage failed.”

  • Ish-bosheth had two men, who were captains of raiding bands, Baanah and Rechab, and together, they plotted to kill Ish-bosheth.

  • The text also introduced Mephibosheth, who will be discussed in greater detail in future chapters. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan. He was lame, due to a fall he suffered as a young child.  

  • Baanah and Rechab went into Ish-bosheth’s house while he was resting and killed him, by stabbing him in the stomach.

  • They took Ish-bosheth’s head to David at Hebron, probably expecting some kind of reward or honor.

  • But David was angry with the brothers. He called Ish-bosheth a “righteous man,” and he commanded the brothers to be put to death.

  • Their bodies were hung beside the pool at Hebron, and Ish-bosheth’s head was buried in the tomb of Abner.

APPLICATION:

• Ish-bosheth was a man whose strength depended on another man, in his case, Abner.

• He needed Abner to stay alive so he could retain the kingdom.

• Ish-bosheth was hopeless without Abner.

• Where does your hope, purpose, and strength come from?

• Is it dependent on another person? A particular outcome? Something you could potentially lose?

• God is the only being in the universe you can base your hope, purpose, and strength in without fear of losing them.