2 Samuel 4 Unwanted Help
With Abner’s murder things future is uncertain, to the people of Israel. David gets some ‘unwanted help’ in moving things his way. Ish-bosheth’s murder.
I have to admit that reading today’s passage leaves me scratching my head. By the end of the story we know the facts, but the beginning of it repeats itself and leaves one wondering. The two brothers, who are Ish-bosheth’s captains, could appear to come twice into the king’s house. I’m not certain if they did or not, but my story will have them acting decisively in their first visit.
David didn’t want, or need, their help. Let’s rejoin him as he navigates his way through the minefield of the power struggle.
♥ ♦ ♥
Abner’s men come straight to Ish-bosheth after leaving David. They bring the news of Abner’s murder at the hands of Joab, along with David’s reaction to it all.
“My king, it was Joab’s hand alone that took the life of Abner. David was distraught over this act and even pronounced a curse over Joab’s house. David buried Abner in Hebron, as a way of honoring him.”
Ish-bosheth knew of Abner’s intent in going to David. He even knew of the meeting Abner held with the elders of Israel. Now, he doesn’t know what to think. Running through his mind are a few questions regarding his future, and that of Israel. “Will David come after me now? Will he try and take the throne by force? Will the leaders of Israel follow Abner’s lead? Will they remain loyal to me, now that Abner is gone?”
One of Ish-bosheth’s biggest concerns is one of a personal nature. He knows who the real power behind the throne was. He was no more than Abner’s puppet. A figurehead for the house of Saul. So, his biggest question is; “Who will take Abner’s place?! Who will tell me what to do?”
News of Abner’s death quickly spreads throughout all of Israel. Without Abner to spearhead this transition, the leaders don’t know what to do. “Will the military stand behind the people or Ish-bosheth?” “What happens if Ish-bosheth resists the change; won’t step down as king?” These are just a few questions running through the minds and conversations of Israel’s leaders.
These questions are also on David’s mind, but he doesn’t stress himself over them. He will continue to wait on the Lord. There are some though that are not content to wait and see what happens. They are two of Ish-bosheth’s own captains of raiding bands; Rechab and Baanah.
They were by no means scrupulous individuals. Their lives had been devoted to taking what they wanted from whomever had it first. Raiding was something they did very well. The day they learned of Abner’s death; they started plotting.
“You know that, without Abner, Ish-bosheth is nothing. He is worse than useless. He doesn’t know the first thing about running a kingdom.”
“I fully agree. If only Abner had installed David before he died. HE knows how to run things. The year he was with the Philistines, he probably raided more people than we have in our whole time of service.”
“He would certainly understand us and our needs. But what can we do? We are stuck with a spineless and incompetent king.”
“We don’t have to be.”
“What do you mean?”
“What if Ish-bosheth were to ‘die’ suddenly? That would open the door for David to be king.”
“True. But the king isn’t even sick.”
“He would be very ‘sick’ if my knife were to enter him.”
With a fiendish sneer, Rechab agrees with is brother. “That he would dear brother. But when and how can we do it?”
“I have heard that the king goes into his bedchamber every day to rest, during the heat of the day. We could strike him then.”
“How would we get into his house?”
“We could say that we have come to get something from his home. Flour maybe, or wheat. Then we could slip into his bedchamber and end his reign.”
Planning began in earnest. They mapped out the guard’s routes and watched the king’s daily movements. It didn’t take long to learn all these things. Three days later, they were ready to go.
“Do you have the wheat sacks?”
“I do. Just like I did the last time you asked me.”
The two men approached Ish-bosheth’s house at about midday. They knew he had already returned home from ‘judging’ the people. They were relieved to see that the guard on the door was someone they knew quite well.
“Shalom brother” calls out Baanah.
“Shalom to you as well. What business do you have with the king today?”
“We have been sent to gather some wheat. The cupboards in the kitchen are nearly bare. The cook told me NOT to return unless I bring enough for tonight’s baking back with us.”
The guard laughs and lets the men pass. They have been is the king’s home before, so they know the layout. They head towards the storeroom, which is in the same wing of the house as the bedchambers. Without being too obvious, they look to make sure that no one is watching them and that there are no other guards posted. No one is about.
Rechab and Baanah quietly slip into the storeroom and put enough wheat in their sacks to give it some form. They check again for anyone in the area before slipping silently into the king’s bedchamber.
Ish-bosheth is a very sound sleeper. He doesn’t even stir when the brothers approach his bed. Rechab quickly lays a hand across the king’s mouth while Baanah buries his blade in the king’s stomach.
Ish-bosheth’s eyes snap open and he tries to cry out in pain, but the hand traps any sound he would have made beneath it. Baanah twists the knife, watching for the light to leave the king’s eyes. It takes but moments before his life drains from him.
“Draw your sword and take his head” Baanah tells his brother.
In seconds the king’s head is separated from his body. Baanah holds out a second sack for Rechab to drop the king’s head into. As soon as it is inside it, the sack is rolled carefully around the head and then placed in the sack with the wheat. If any blood seeps through the first sack, the wheat will absorb it. They make one more stop at the storeroom to finish filling their wheat sack before heading to the door.
When they pass the guard at the door, they bid him a good night. Not a single question is raised as they pass by holding a bulging sack. As soon as they are out of sight of the guard, they drop the sack and pull the sack containing the king’s head from the wheat.
“We have to hurry. We have to be on our way to David before anyone discovers what happened.”
“Agreed! We will go by way of the Arabah, and won’t stop until we see David’s face.”
The brothers traveled all night and into the next morning before reaching Hebron where David was. As they approach the city gate, people gawk at the sight of the blood-soaked sack they are carrying. The guard at the gate stops them.
“What have you there” he says, pointing to the very thing they are carrying.
“It is a gift for the king.”
“What kind of gift would that be?”
“One that will ensure him the throne of Israel” replies Baanah.
Rechab smiles a wolfish smile and begins to unwrap the bag. He reaches in and pulls from it the head of Ish-bosheth.
The guard steps back a pace and calls to his fellow guard. “Find King David and tell him of his visitors. We will wait her for his command.”
The second guard hurries to David’s home. He calls out to the guard on the door. “King David has a visitor who is bearing the head of Ish-bosheth. I need to know how to proceed.”
David heard the exchange through the wall and was at the door before the guard had time to turn to it.
“Bring him to me” David says with teeth clenched.
“There are two of them my king.”
“Bring them both.”
David waits while the guard returns to the gate to summon the visitors. They had no idea that word had already reached David of their activities. How they had murdered the king in his own bed. They would surely receive recompense for their actions.
Rechab and Baanah follow the guards back to the home of David, holding their trophy high for all to see. Pride colors their faces as they approach David. The brothers bow and Rechab addresses David.
“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.” (2 Samuel 4:8)
The brothers are waiting expectantly for praise from David for their acts in his name. As they watch David opening and closing his fists, their smiles begin to fade. David’s words rip them completely away.
“As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity, 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. 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?” (2 Samuel 9-11)
The brother’s mouths hang open by the end of David’s words to them. And then David speaks again.
“Take them and kill them. Remove their hands and feet and hang them by the pool of Hebron.”
Terror fills their hearts as the guards grab them from beside and behind. Ish-bosheth’s head is ripped from their hands and gently laid in David’s hands.
“We will bury Ish-bosheth with Abner” David says. He carefully carries Ish-bosheth’s head to the priest for preparation for burial while his men take the two brothers to their final appointment.
By midday, the brothers’ bodies have been raised on a pole by the pool of Hebron. David has arranged a burial procession for Ish-bosheth that will pass by his murderers. David removes his royal robes and girds himself with sackcloth. All is ready.
David takes his place behind the briar. As the briar begins its movement through the city, David lets out a mournful wail for Ish-bosheth. The people join him in honoring the king of Israel. When they arrive at the tomb of Abner, it is opened and Ish-bosheth’s head is placed beside Abner’s body before sealing it up again.
David honors a fast for Ish-bosheth, just as he had done for Abner. His servants knew not to offer him food this day. Just before nightfall, David called his guards.
“Take down the bodies of the two men. The Lord commanded that no man remain hanging after sunset. Throw them out to where the animals may tear at their flesh. They deserve no better.”
David’s command was immediately carried out. And his actions this day would spread throughout Israel. The actions of David proved that he did not order or condone the actions taken against Ish-bosheth.
(to be continued)
I don’t know how to work into the story the information about Jonathan’s son, so we will save this for later. Saul’s house is not depleted of all men though. Later on, “seven sons of Saul” will be handed over to atone for Saul’s sins. I believe some of these “sons” may have been grandsons. We will have to wait and see.
Not once did David try pushing God’s hand. He honored God’s choosing of Saul and honored Saul’s family on his behalf. He had also made a promise to Saul that he would not kill all of his sons when he became king. David would keep his word.
Patience is a hard lesson for MANY people. I’m one of the “many.” I’m not so impatient as to kill someone I consider to be in my way, but I have been known to ‘edge them over’ a time or two. People talk about “The patience of Job.” I think that David showed even greater patience. I could learn a lesson or two from him in this area.
Father God, thank You for letting me into Your story again today. You know my problem with patience. Right now, it is being stretched quite a bit. Help me remain strong in the waiting and hold my husband in the palm of Your hands while he waits too.
