King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 4:11 Mean?

2 Samuel 4:11 in the King James Version says “How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now re... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?

2 Samuel 4:11 · KJV


Context

9

And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

10

When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: thinking: Heb. he was in his own eyes as a bringer, etc who: or, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings

11

How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?

12

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?

This verse contributes to the narrative of Ish-bosheth Murdered, emphasizing righteous vs unrighteous means. The assassination of Ish-bosheth and David's execution of the murderers demonstrates crucial distinctions between godly and ungodly means. While the result (removing Saul's dynasty) aligned with God's purposes, the method (treacherous murder) violated divine standards. Hebrew concepts of justice (mishpat, מִשְׁפָּט) and righteousness (tsedeq, צֶדֶק) permeate David's response.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 4 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding righteous vs unrighteous means provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of righteous vs unrighteous means?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
אַ֞ף1 of 21
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

כִּֽי2 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִישׁ3 of 21

person

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

רְשָׁעִ֗ים4 of 21

How much more when wicked

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

הָֽרְג֧וּ5 of 21

have slain

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

אֶת6 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אִישׁ7 of 21

person

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

צַדִּ֛יק8 of 21

a righteous

H6662

just

בְּבֵית֖וֹ9 of 21

in his own house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

עַל10 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִשְׁכָּב֑וֹ11 of 21

upon his bed

H4904

a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse

וְעַתָּ֗ה12 of 21
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

הֲל֨וֹא13 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֲבַקֵּ֤שׁ14 of 21

shall I not therefore now require

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

אֶת15 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דָּמוֹ֙16 of 21

his blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

מִיֶּדְכֶ֔ם17 of 21

of your hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וּבִֽעַרְתִּ֥י18 of 21

and take you away

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

אֶתְכֶ֖ם19 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִן20 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָאָֽרֶץ׃21 of 21

from the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 4:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 4:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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