King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 4:12 Mean?

2 Samuel 4:12 in the King James Version says “And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over t...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Samuel 4:12 · King James Version

Context

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.

Read 2 Samuel 4 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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 Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיְצַו֩1 of 23

“commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

דָּוִ֨ד2 of 23

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת3 of 23
H853

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

הַנְּעָרִ֜ים4 of 23

“his young men”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

וַיַּֽהַרְג֗וּם5 of 23

“and they slew”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

וַֽיְקַצְּצ֤וּ6 of 23

“them and cut off”

H7112

to chop off (literally or figuratively)

אֶת7 of 23
H853

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

יְדֵיהֶם֙8 of 23

“their hands”

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

וְאֶת9 of 23
H853

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

רַגְלֵיהֶ֔ם10 of 23

“and their feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

וַיִּתְל֥וּ11 of 23

“and hanged them up”

H8518

to suspend (especially to gibbet)

עַל12 of 23
H5921

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

הַבְּרֵכָ֖ה13 of 23

“over the pool”

H1295

a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place)

בְּחֶבְרֽוֹן׃14 of 23

“in Hebron”

H2275

chebron, the name of two israelites

וְאֵ֨ת15 of 23
H853

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

רֹ֤אשׁ16 of 23

“the head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

אִֽישׁ17 of 23
H0
בֹּ֙שֶׁת֙18 of 23

“of Ishbosheth”

H378

ish-bosheth, a son of king saul

לָקָ֔חוּ19 of 23

“But they took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וַיִּקְבְּר֥וּ20 of 23

“and buried”

H6912

to inter

בְקֶֽבֶר21 of 23

“it in the sepulchre”

H6913

a sepulcher

אַבְנֵ֖ר22 of 23

“of Abner”

H74

abner, an israelite

בְּחֶבְרֽוֹן׃23 of 23

“in Hebron”

H2275

chebron, the name of two israelites

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 4:12 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 4:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 1:152 Samuel 3:322 Samuel 21:9Deuteronomy 21:22-23Matthew 7:2Psalms 55:23

Places in This Verse

HebronSettlement · Modern: Tel Rumeida · 31.53°N, 35.10°E62 verses across 10 books
View all places in 2 Samuel 4 →

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