King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 4:5 Mean?

2 Samuel 4:5 in the King James Version says “And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbo...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Samuel 4:5 · KJV

Context

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.

7

For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber , and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.

Read 2 Samuel 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.

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 · 18 words
וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ1 of 18
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בְּנֵֽי2 of 18

“And the sons”

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

רִמּ֤וֹן3 of 18

“of Rimmon”

H7417

rimmon, the name of five places in palestine

הַבְּאֵֽרֹתִי֙4 of 18

“the Beerothite”

H886

a beerothite or inhabitant of beeroth

רֵכָ֣ב5 of 18

“Rechab”

H7394

rekab, the name of two arabs and of two israelites

וּבַֽעֲנָ֔ה6 of 18

“and Baanah”

H1196

baanah, the name of four israelites

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙7 of 18

“and came”

H935

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

כְּחֹ֣ם8 of 18

“about the heat”

H2527

heat

הַיּ֔וֹם9 of 18

“of the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֶל10 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֖ית11 of 18

“to the house”

H1004

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

אִ֣ישׁ12 of 18
H0
בֹּ֑שֶׁת13 of 18

“of Ishbosheth”

H378

ish-bosheth, a son of king saul

וְה֣וּא14 of 18
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

שֹׁכֵ֔ב15 of 18

“who lay”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

אֵ֖ת16 of 18
H853

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

מִשְׁכַּ֥ב17 of 18

“on a bed”

H4904

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

הַֽצָּהֳרָֽיִם׃18 of 18

“at noon”

H6672

a light (i.e., window); dual double light, i.e., noon

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 4:5 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 4:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 24:33-342 Samuel 2:82 Samuel 11:21 Thessalonians 5:3-72 Chronicles 24:252 Chronicles 25:27

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 →

Test Your Knowledge

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

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