II Samuel Chapter 4
Please read: II Samuel 4 –
We learn in the first verse that there were two sons who came from Beeroth, a people known as Beerothites. Beeroth was one of the many cities that the tribe of Benjamin inherited when they entered the promised land. The Bible tells us that when Israel came in to possess the land that the Beerothites escaped to the town of Gittaim and were not taken out. So, the people of Beeroth became a part of the tribe of Benjamin. And now we find that two of their descendants, Rechab and Baanah, murdered king Ishbosheth. What is even more disheartening is that Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin, meaning Saul’s son was murdered by people of his own tribe.
Let’s just think back for a moment about how just a few years prior there was an outcry of the people of Israel, begging Samuel to give them a king like all the other nations. The first king had not been such a great win and now there were split loyalties in the country. Samuel had warned them that having a king would cause them many hardships, and it would not deliver the life of ease as they imagined. The Bible says as soon as the people saw the weakness of Ishbosheth they were dismayed. And two of their own decided to take matters into their own hands and murdered king Ishbosheth.
Let's Reflect
1. There is a little side note in this chapter in verse 4. It says that there was another surviving member of Saul’s family. His grandson Mephibosheth had survived. He was just a baby when his nurse escaped with him upon learning of the deaths of Saul and his sons. Who was Mephibosheth’s father? We will learn more about this grandson later.
2. The two men who were Beerothite descendants, walked into the king’s palace with a plan to take the king’s life since he was a weak and fearful king. (A “good” reason to kill someone!). These two thought they were going to bring themselves glory and positions of power. To whom did they take the head of Ishbosheth after they killed him?
3. David had never asked for this. In fact, he told these two fools about another man who had brought him the story of killing Saul who was mortally wounded in battle. According to verse 10 what did David say that he had done to the one bringing him the supposed good news of Saul’s death?
4. What did David do to these two men who brought him the head of Ishbosheth?
5. According to verse 9, who did David say he depended on to seek vengeance for him?
