King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 4:4 Mean?

2 Samuel 4:4 in the King James Version says “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 J...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

2 Samuel 4:4 · KJV

Context

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

5

And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.

6

And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.

Read 2 Samuel 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 25 words
וִיהֽוֹנָתָ֜ן1 of 25

“And Jonathan”

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

בֶּן2 of 25

“had a son”

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

שָׁא֨וּל3 of 25

“Saul's”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

בֶּן4 of 25

“had a son”

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

נְכֵ֣ה5 of 25

“that was lame”

H5223

smitten, i.e., (literally) maimed, or (figuratively) dejected

רַגְלָ֑יִם6 of 25

“of his feet”

H7272

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

בֶּן7 of 25

“had a son”

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

חָמֵ֣שׁ8 of 25

“He was five”

H2568

five

שָׁנִ֣ים9 of 25

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הָיָ֡ה10 of 25
H1961

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

בְּבֹ֣א11 of 25

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁמֻעַת֩12 of 25

“when the tidings”

H8052

something heard, i.e., an announcement

שָׁא֨וּל13 of 25

“Saul's”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וִיהֽוֹנָתָ֜ן14 of 25

“And Jonathan”

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

מִֽיִּזְרְעֶ֗אל15 of 25

“out of Jezreel”

H3157

jizreel, the name of two places in palestine and of two israelites

וַתִּשָּׂאֵ֤הוּ16 of 25

“took him up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֹֽמַנְתּוֹ֙17 of 25

“and his nurse”

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

לָנ֛וּס18 of 25

“and fled”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

וַיְהִ֞י19 of 25
H1961

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

בְּחָפְזָ֥הּ20 of 25

“and it came to pass as she made haste”

H2648

properly, to start up suddenly, i.e., (by implication) to hasten away, to fear

לָנ֛וּס21 of 25

“and fled”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

וַיִּפֹּ֥ל22 of 25

“that he fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

וַיִּפָּסֵ֖חַ23 of 25

“and became lame”

H6452

to hop, i.e., (figuratively) skip over (or spare); by implication, to hesitate; also (literally) to limp, to dance

וּשְׁמ֥וֹ24 of 25

“And his name”

H8034

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

מְפִיבֹֽשֶׁת׃25 of 25

“was Mephibosheth”

H4648

mephibosheth, 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 4:4 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 4:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 9:31 Chronicles 9:402 Samuel 9:61 Samuel 29:11 Samuel 29:111 Samuel 31:1-10

Places in This Verse

Jezreel 2Settlement · Modern: Tel Yizre’el · 32.56°N, 35.33°E29 verses across 7 books
View all places in 2 Samuel 4 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Samuel 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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