King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 4:2 Mean?

2 Samuel 4:2 in the King James Version says “And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin: other: Heb. second”

2 Samuel 4:2 · KJV

Context

1

And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

2

And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin: other: Heb. second

3

And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)

4

And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth: or, Meribbaal

Read 2 Samuel 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin:

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 · 24 words
וּשְׁנֵ֣י1 of 24

“had two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֲנָשִׁ֣ים2 of 24
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)

שָׂרֵֽי3 of 24

“captains”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

גְדוּדִ֣ים4 of 24

“of bands”

H1416

a crowd (especially of soldiers)

הָי֪וּ5 of 24

“that were”

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִבְּנֵ֣י6 of 24

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שָׁא֟וּל7 of 24

“And Saul's”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וְשֵׁ֧ם8 of 24

“and the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הָֽאֶחָ֨ד9 of 24

“of the one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בַּֽעֲנָ֜ה10 of 24

“was Baanah”

H1196

baanah, the name of four israelites

וְשֵׁ֧ם11 of 24

“and the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הַשֵּׁנִ֣י12 of 24

“of the other”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

רֵכָ֗ב13 of 24

“Rechab”

H7394

rekab, the name of two arabs and of two israelites

מִבְּנֵ֣י14 of 24

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

רִמּ֥וֹן15 of 24

“of Rimmon”

H7417

rimmon, the name of five places in palestine

הַבְּאֶֽרֹתִ֖י16 of 24

“a Beerothite”

H886

a beerothite or inhabitant of beeroth

מִבְּנֵ֣י17 of 24

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בִּנְיָמִֽן׃18 of 24

“of Benjamin”

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

כִּ֚י19 of 24
H3588

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

גַּם20 of 24
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בְּאֵר֔וֹת21 of 24

“for Beeroth”

H881

beeroth, a place in palestine

תֵּֽחָשֵׁ֖ב22 of 24

“also was reckoned”

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

עַל23 of 24
H5921

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

בִּנְיָמִֽן׃24 of 24

“of Benjamin”

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

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 4:2 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 4:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 18:25Joshua 9:172 Samuel 3:222 Kings 6:232 Kings 5:2

Places in This Verse

BeerothSettlement · Modern: Khirbet el Burj · 31.82°N, 35.19°E9 verses across 5 books
View all places in 2 Samuel 4 →

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