Study notes

2 Samuel 4

Introducing 2 SamuelWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

1:1–6:23 Section

David didn’t start ruling as king right after Saul died. First, he mourned for Saul and Jonathan. He put to death the Amalekite who boasted about killing Saul.

David moved back to Judah from the Philistine town where he had been living. Many soldiers had been with David during the years he had run away from Saul. For several years they fought against the army that still supported Saul’s family line. That army was led by a commander named Abner. The fighting led to bitter feelings.

Joab murdered Abner even though Abner had started supporting David as king. Then two soldiers who had been faithful to Saul murdered Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth. David made it clear that he wasn’t guilty of these deaths.

The rest of the 12 tribes of Israel then recognised David as their king. They made a covenant with him and anointed him.

By this time David had many wives and children. Later he had even more. This was very common for kings in that time. But it was against God’s rules for kings of Israel (Deuteronomy 17:14–20). It led to many problems for David’s family.

David chose to make Jerusalem the capital city of the government of Israel. Then he made it the main centre of worship. He did this by bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. The first time the Israelites moved the ark, God put Uzzah to death for touching the ark. David was angry about this.

Uzzah’s death reminded God’s people how holy the ark of the covenant was. They had to honour it because it was God’s throne on earth. The second time the Israelites moved the ark, David celebrated and danced before the ark.

David’s wife Michal wasn’t happy about this. She didn’t think that the king should dance in front of the people he ruled over. She thought it brought shame on him. But David was willing to look foolish to honour God with all his heart.

4:1

all Israel was dismayed: Abner’s true power was evident in Ish-bosheth’s reaction to his death (compare Joshua 2:9–11; 5:1). Ish-bosheth’s lack of courage caused the same weakness among those who followed him.

4:2–3

Beeroth was located in Benjamin near Gibeon. The people of Beeroth likely fled to Gittaim because Saul persecuted non-Israelite residents in that region (see 2 Samuel 21:1–9). The location of Gittaim is unknown.

4:4

  • This parenthetical note shows that Saul’s royal line could not continue after the death of Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 4:5–7). The only remaining heir was a young child who was disabled (see also 2 Samuel 9:1–13).

  • Mephibosheth may be a nickname that means “from the mouth of shame.” This name may reflect how people viewed his physical condition. Under the law of Moses, a disabled animal could not be offered to God. A priest with a physical defect could not stand before God to present the people’s offerings (Leviticus 21:19). In the same way, Mephibosheth’s disability likely made him unacceptable, in the eyes of many, as a candidate for the throne.

    His earlier name, Merib-baal (see 1 Chronicles 9:40), included the word baal. His later name removed any association with Baal (see study note on 2 Samuel 2:8).

4:6

Recab and Baanah believed they would gain David’s favor by committing this betrayal.

4:8

  • your enemy: As far as we know, David never referred to Saul as an enemy.

  • the LORD has granted vengeance: People who do wrong things often assume that God supports their plans and use this belief to justify their desire for power. However, David refused to reward acts of betrayal.

4:12

They cut off their hands and feet: David displayed the bodies of Ish-bosheth’s killers to shame them by denying them a proper burial (compare 1 Samuel 31:8–13). This public act also showed that David was not responsible for Ish-bosheth’s death.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources