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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 4:12 So David commanded his young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, but they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner's tomb in Hebron.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/4-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/10_2Sa_04_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 4:12 - David Kills the Murderers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So David commanded his young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, but they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner's tomb in Hebron." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_samuel/4-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_samuel/4-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/">2 Samuel</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_samuel/4-11.htm" title="2 Samuel 4:11">◄</a> 2 Samuel 4:12 <a href="/2_samuel/5-1.htm" title="2 Samuel 5:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_samuel/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_samuel/4.htm">New International Version</a> So David gave an order to his men, and they killed them. They cut off their hands and feet and hung the bodies by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-Bosheth and buried it in Abner&#8217s tomb at Hebron. <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> So David ordered his young men to kill them, and they did. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies beside the pool in Hebron. Then they took Ishbosheth’s head and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron. <a href="/esv/2_samuel/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/2_samuel/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So David commanded his young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, but they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron. <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/4.htm">King James Bible</a> And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/4.htm">New King James Version</a> So David commanded his young men, and they executed them, cut off their hands and feet, and hanged them by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then David commanded the young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet, and hung them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then David commanded the young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hung them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then David commanded the young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet, and hung them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/lsb/2_samuel/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then David commanded the young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hung them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/amp/2_samuel/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So David commanded his young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hung them beside the pool in Hebron. But they took Ish-bosheth’s head and buried it in Hebron in the tomb of Abner [his relative]. <a href="/csb/2_samuel/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So David gave orders to the young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, but they took Ish-bosheth’s head and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron. <a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So David gave orders to the young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, but they took Ish-bosheth&#8217s head and buried it in Abner&#8217s tomb in Hebron. <a href="/asv/2_samuel/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/cev/2_samuel/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then David said to his troops, "Kill these two brothers! Cut off their hands and feet and hang their bodies by the pool in Hebron. But bury Ishbosheth's head in Abner's tomb near Hebron." And they did. <a href="/erv/2_samuel/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up_ beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/gwt/2_samuel/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So David gave an order to his young men, who executed Rechab and Baanah, cut off their hands and feet, and hung their dead bodies by the pond in Hebron. Then they took Ishbosheth's head and buried it in Abner's tomb in Hebron. <a href="/gnt/2_samuel/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> David gave the order, and his soldiers killed Rechab and Baanah and cut off their hands and feet, which they hung up near the pool in Hebron. They took Ishbosheth's head and buried it in Abner's tomb there at Hebron. <a href="/isv/2_samuel/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> So David commanded his personal guards, and they killed Rechab and Baanah, cut off their hands and feet, and hung up their bodies beside the pool at Hebron. They took Ish-bosheth's head and buried it in Abner's tomb at Hebron. <a href="/msb/2_samuel/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So David commanded his young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, but they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner?s tomb in Hebron. <a href="/net/2_samuel/4.htm">NET Bible</a> So David issued orders to the soldiers and they put them to death. Then they cut off their hands and feet and hung them near the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/nheb/2_samuel/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> David commanded his young men, and they killed them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbaal, and buried it in the grave of Abner son of Ner. <a href="/wbt/2_samuel/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the sepulcher of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/web/2_samuel/4.htm">World English Bible</a> David commanded his young men, and they killed them, cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in Abner’s grave in Hebron. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And David commands the young men, and they slay them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hang [them] over the pool in Hebron, and they have taken the head of Ish-Bosheth, and bury [it] in the burying-place of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/ylt/2_samuel/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And David commandeth the young men, and they slay them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hang them over the pool in Hebron, and the head of Ish-Bosheth they have taken, and bury it in the burying-place of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/slt/2_samuel/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And David will command the boys and they will kill them and cut off their hands and their feet, and hang them over the pain Hebron. And the head of Ishbosheth they took and they will bury it in the grave of Abner in Hebron.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_samuel/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And David commanded his servants and they slew them: and cutting off their hands and feet, hanged them up over the pool in Hebron: but the head of Isboseth they took and buried in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And so, David commanded his servants, and they put them to death. And cutting off their hands and feet, they suspended them up over the pool in Hebron. But the head of Ishbosheth they took and buried in the sepulcher of Abner at Hebron. <a href="/nabre/2_samuel/4.htm">New American Bible</a> So at David’s command, the young men killed them and cut off their hands and feet, hanging them up near the pool in Hebron. But he took the head of Ishbaal and buried it in Abner’s grave in Hebron. <a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So David commanded the young men, and they killed them; they cut off their hands and feet, and hung their bodies beside the pool at Hebron. But the head of Ishbaal they took and buried in the tomb of Abner at Hebron.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them on the hill in Hebron. But they took the head of Ashbashul and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And David sent for the young men and they killed them and they cut off their hands and their feet, and they hanged on the Hill in Khebruun, and they took the head of Ashbashul and they buried it in the tomb of Abnir in Khebruun <div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_samuel/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron. <a href="/sep/2_samuel/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And David commanded his young men, and they slay them, and cut off their hands and their feet; and they hung them up at the fountain in Chebron: and they buried the head of Jebosthe in the tomb of Abenezer the son of Ner. <a href="/parallel/2_samuel/4-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=1163" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/4.htm">David Kills the Murderers</a> …11How much more, when wicked men kill a righteous man in his own house and on his own bed, shall I not now require his blood from your hands and remove you from the earth!” 12<a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">So David</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: way·ṣaw (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">commanded</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: han·nə·‘ā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">his young men,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: way·ya·har·ḡūm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3mp) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">and they killed Rechab and Baanah.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7112.htm" title="7112: way·qaṣ·ṣə·ṣū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- Cut off. A primitive root; to chop off.">They cut off</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yə·ḏê·hem (N-fdc:: 3mp) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">their hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7272.htm" title="7272: raḡ·lê·hem (N-fdc:: 3mp) -- Foot. From ragal; a foot; by implication, a step; by euphem. The pudenda.">and feet</a> <a href="/hebrew/8518.htm" title="8518: way·yiṯ·lū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To hang. A primitive root; to suspend.">and hung</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">their bodies by</a> <a href="/hebrew/1295.htm" title="1295: hab·bə·rê·ḵāh (Art:: N-fs) -- A pool, pond. From barak; a reservoir.">the pool</a> <a href="/hebrew/2275.htm" title="2275: bə·ḥeḇ·rō·wn (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- From cheber; seat of association; Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites.">in Hebron,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’êṯ (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: lā·qā·ḥū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">but they took</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rōš (N-msc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">the head</a> <a href="/hebrew/378.htm" title="378: ’îš- Man of shame, a son of Saul and king of Isr. From 'iysh and bosheth; man of shame; Ish- Bosheth, a son of King Saul."></a> <a href="/hebrew/378.htm" title="378: bō·šeṯ (N-proper-ms) -- Man of shame, a son of Saul and king of Isr. From 'iysh and bosheth; man of shame; Ish- Bosheth, a son of King Saul.">of Ish-bosheth</a> <a href="/hebrew/6912.htm" title="6912: way·yiq·bə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To bury. A primitive root; to intern.">and buried</a> <a href="/hebrew/74.htm" title="74: ’aḇ·nêr (N-proper-ms) -- My father is a lamp, an Isr. name. Or nabiyner; from 'ab and niyr; father of light; Abner, an Israelite.">it in Abner’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6913.htm" title="6913: ḇə·qe·ḇer- (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A grave, sepulcher. Or qibrah; from qabar; a sepulchre.">tomb</a> <a href="/hebrew/2275.htm" title="2275: bə·ḥeḇ·rō·wn (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- From cheber; seat of association; Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites.">in Hebron.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a> Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind. <a href="/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33</a> Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. <a href="/deuteronomy/19-10.htm">Deuteronomy 19:10-13</a> Thus innocent blood will not be shed in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed. / If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. ... <a href="/1_kings/2-5.htm">1 Kings 2:5-6</a> Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. <a href="/1_kings/2-31.htm">1 Kings 2:31-34</a> And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. / The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.” ... <a href="/2_samuel/1-15.htm">2 Samuel 1:15-16</a> Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’” <a href="/2_samuel/3-29.htm">2 Samuel 3:29</a> May it whirl over the head of Joab and over the entire house of his father, and may the house of Joab never be without one having a discharge or skin disease, or one who leans on a staff or falls by the sword or lacks food.” <a href="/2_samuel/12-9.htm">2 Samuel 12:9-10</a> Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. / Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ <a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1-9</a> During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” / At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.) / So David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How can I make amends so that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?” ... <a href="/1_samuel/15-33.htm">1 Samuel 15:33</a> But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal. <a href="/proverbs/6-17.htm">Proverbs 6:17</a> haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, <a href="/matthew/26-52.htm">Matthew 26:52</a> “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. <a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Romans 13:4</a> For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. <a href="/revelation/13-10.htm">Revelation 13:10</a> “If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints. <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a> You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulcher of Abner in Hebron.slew them<a href="/2_samuel/1-15.htm">2 Samuel 1:15</a> And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.<a href="/psalms/55-23.htm">Psalm 55:23</a> But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.<a href="/matthew/7-2.htm">Matthew 7:2</a> For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.hanged<a href="/2_samuel/21-9.htm">2 Samuel 21:9</a> And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.<a href="/deuteronomy/21-22.htm">Deuteronomy 21:22,23</a> And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: … in the sepulchre<a href="/2_samuel/3-32.htm">2 Samuel 3:32</a> And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/4-1.htm">Abner</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-32.htm">Buried</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-2.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-11.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-9.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-4.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-32.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-1.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/joshua/10-26.htm">Hanged</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-8.htm">Head</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-8.htm">Hebron</a> <a href="/joshua/10-26.htm">Hung</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-8.htm">Ishbosheth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-7.htm">Ish-Bosheth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-11.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-13.htm">Pool</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-32.htm">Sepulcher</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-32.htm">Sepulchre</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-10.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-21.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/2-5.htm">Abner</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">Buried</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-25.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-9.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-1.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_samuel/9-3.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-19.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">Hanged</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-2.htm">Head</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-1.htm">Hebron</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/10-10.htm">Hung</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">Ishbosheth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">Ish-Bosheth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/8-5.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-38.htm">Pool</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">Sepulcher</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">Sepulchre</a> <a href="/2_samuel/8-5.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-13.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 4</div>1. <a href="/2_samuel/4-1.htm">The Israelites being troubled at the death of Abner</a> 2. <a href="/2_samuel/4-2.htm">Baanah and Rechab slay Ish-Bosheth, and bring his head to Hebron</a> 9. <a href="/2_samuel/4-9.htm">David causes them to be slain, and Ish-Bosheth's head to be buried.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So David commanded his young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. David's command reflects his role as king and judge, upholding justice according to the law. Rechab and Baanah had murdered Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, expecting a reward from David. However, David's response aligns with his previous actions in <a href="/2_samuel/1-14.htm">2 Samuel 1:14-16</a>, where he executed the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul. This demonstrates David's respect for God's anointed and his commitment to justice, regardless of personal gain.They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, The mutilation of Rechab and Baanah's bodies served as a public display of justice and a deterrent against treachery. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such acts were common to shame and dishonor criminals. The pool in Hebron was a central and public location, ensuring that the message of justice was widely seen. Hebron, a significant city in Judah, was where David was first anointed king (<a href="/2_samuel/2.htm">2 Samuel 2:1-4</a>), adding to the gravity of the act.but they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron. The burial of Ish-bosheth's head in Abner's tomb signifies respect and honor, contrasting with the treatment of Rechab and Baanah. Abner, Saul's cousin and commander, had been a key figure in supporting Ish-bosheth's reign (<a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8-9</a>). By burying Ish-bosheth's head with Abner, David acknowledges their connection and perhaps seeks to bring closure to the house of Saul. This act also reflects David's consistent respect for Saul's family, as seen in his lament for Saul and Jonathan (<a href="/2_samuel/1-17.htm">2 Samuel 1:17-27</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The anointed king of Israel, known for his heart after God and his just leadership. In this passage, he acts decisively against those who committed murder. 2. <a href="/topical/y/young_men.htm">Young Men</a> These are David's servants or soldiers who carry out his command to execute justice on the murderers of Ish-bosheth. 3. <a href="/topical/i/ish-bosheth.htm">Ish-bosheth</a> The son of Saul, who was made king over Israel by Abner. His murder by his own captains is the catalyst for the events in this verse. 4. <a href="/topical/h/hebron.htm">Hebron</a> A significant city in Judah, where David was initially anointed king. It serves as the location for the execution and burial in this passage. 5. <a href="/topical/a/abner's_tomb.htm">Abner’s Tomb</a> The burial place of Abner, Saul's former commander, who had been killed earlier. Ish-bosheth's head is buried here, signifying a form of respect or closure.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_leadership.htm">Justice and Leadership</a> David's actions demonstrate the importance of justice in leadership. Leaders must act decisively against wrongdoing to maintain righteousness and order. <a href="/topical/r/respect_for_the_anointed.htm">Respect for the Anointed</a> Despite Ish-bosheth being a rival, David respects his position as Saul's son and anointed king, showing that respect for God's anointed is paramount. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a> The severe punishment of the murderers serves as a reminder that sin has serious consequences, and justice will ultimately prevail. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community.htm">The Role of Community</a> The involvement of David's young men highlights the role of community in executing justice and supporting righteous leadership.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 4</a> <a href="/q/how_does_david's_vengeance_fit_biblical_ethics.htm">2 Samuel 4:12 – How does David’s brutal display of vengeance align with the moral and ethical teachings later associated with biblical leadership?</a> <a href="/q/who_were_rechab_and_baanah.htm">Who were Rechab and Baanah in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_condemn_ishbosheth's_killers.htm">2 Samuel 4:5-7 - If God intended David to become king, why would these assassins be condemned for eliminating Ishbosheth, who was hindering David's rule?</a> <a href="/q/contradictions_in_1_samuel_4_on_eli's_sons.htm">Are there any contradictions between 1 Samuel 4 and other biblical accounts regarding the fate of Eli's sons or the Ark's movements?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) Over the pool in Hebron.--The mutilation of the bodies of the criminals was itself a disgrace, and the hanging them up near the pool, to which all the people resorted, made this as public as possible and a terrible warning against the commission of such crimes by others. On the other hand, the head of Ish-bosheth was honourably buried in the sepulchre of his chief friend and supporter, Abner.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - They out off their hands and their feet. This was not intended for the purpose of mutilation, but to carry out an Eastern idea of retaliation. The hands were cut off because they had committed the murder; the feet, because they had brought the head to Hebron. Still, David was violating the spirit of the Mosaic Law. It ordered that the body of a man who had been put to death should be buried the same day (<a href="/deuteronomy/21-23.htm">Deuteronomy 21:23</a>). In the face of this humane enactment, it is wonderful that the laws of Christian countries should have allowed the mutilation of the bodies of traitors, and the hanging on gibbets of criminals convicted of smaller crimes. Remembering, therefore, the customs of our fathers, we must not blame David much for suspending the bands and feet of these murderers at the pool of Hebron, that all, when coming for water, might know of their punishment. The head of Ishbosheth was honourably buried in Abner's grave (see <a href="/2_samuel/3-32.htm">2 Samuel 3:32</a>). <a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/4-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So David דָּוִ֨ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse commanded וַיְצַו֩ (way·ṣaw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order his young men, הַנְּעָרִ֜ים (han·nə·‘ā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> A boy, lad, youth, retainer and they killed [Rechab and Baanah]. וַיַּהַרְג֗וּם (way·ya·har·ḡūm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> To smite with deadly intent They cut off וַֽיְקַצְּצ֤וּ (way·qaṣ·ṣə·ṣū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7112.htm">Strong's 7112: </a> To chop off their hands יְדֵיהֶם֙ (yə·ḏê·hem) Noun - fdc | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand and feet רַגְלֵיהֶ֔ם (raḡ·lê·hem) Noun - fdc | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7272.htm">Strong's 7272: </a> A foot, a step, the pudenda and hung וַיִּתְל֥וּ (way·yiṯ·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8518.htm">Strong's 8518: </a> To suspend their bodies by עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the pool הַבְּרֵכָ֖ה (hab·bə·rê·ḵāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1295.htm">Strong's 1295: </a> A pool, pond in Hebron, בְּחֶבְר֑וֹן (bə·ḥeḇ·rō·wn) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2275.htm">Strong's 2275: </a> Hebron -- 'association, league', a city in southern Judah but they took לָקָ֔חוּ (lā·qā·ḥū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take the head רֹ֤אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head of Ish-bosheth בֹּ֙שֶׁת֙ (bō·šeṯ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_378.htm">Strong's 378: </a> Ish-bosheth -- 'man of shame', a son of Saul and king of Israel and buried וַיִּקְבְּר֥וּ (way·yiq·bə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6912.htm">Strong's 6912: </a> To inter it in Abner’s אַבְנֵ֖ר (’aḇ·nêr) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_74.htm">Strong's 74: </a> Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name tomb בְקֶֽבֶר־ (ḇə·qe·ḇer-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6913.htm">Strong's 6913: </a> A grave, sepulcher in Hebron. בְּחֶבְרֽוֹן׃ (bə·ḥeḇ·rō·wn) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2275.htm">Strong's 2275: </a> Hebron -- 'association, league', a city in southern Judah <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-12.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 4:12 David commanded his young men and they (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/4-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 4:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 4:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/5-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 5:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 5:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>