Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to kill you. This day the LORD has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.” New Living Translation When they arrived at Hebron, they presented Ishbosheth’s head to David. “Look!” they exclaimed to the king. “Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of your enemy Saul who tried to kill you. Today the LORD has given my lord the king revenge on Saul and his entire family!” English Standard Version and brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron. And they said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. The LORD has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring.” Berean Standard Bible They brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who sought your life. Today the LORD has granted vengeance to my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.” King James Bible And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed. New King James Version And they brought the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron, and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul your enemy, who sought your life; and the LORD has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and his descendants.” New American Standard Bible Then they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron, and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; so the LORD has given my lord the king vengeance this day on Saul and his descendants.” NASB 1995 Then they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; thus the LORD has given my lord the king vengeance this day on Saul and his descendants.” NASB 1977 Then they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron, and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; thus the LORD has given my lord the king vengeance this day on Saul and his descendants.” Legacy Standard Bible Then they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; thus Yahweh has given my lord the king vengeance this day on Saul and his seed.” Amplified Bible They brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron, and said to the king, “Look, the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; thus the LORD has granted my lord the king vengeance this day on Saul and on his descendants.” Christian Standard Bible They brought Ish-bosheth’s head to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Here’s the head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who intended to take your life. Today the LORD has granted vengeance to my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.” Holman Christian Standard Bible They brought Ish-bosheth’s head to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Here’s the head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who intended to take your life. Today the LORD has granted vengeance to my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.” American Standard Version And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold, the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, thine enemy, who sought thy life; and Jehovah hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed. Contemporary English Version Finally they turned west and went to Hebron. They went in to see David and told him, "Your Majesty, here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of your enemy Saul who tried to kill you! The LORD has let you get even with Saul and his family." English Revised Version And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed. GOD'S WORD® Translation They brought Ishbosheth's head to David at Hebron. "Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of your enemy Saul who tried to kill you," they told the king. "Today the LORD has given Your Royal Majesty revenge on Saul and his descendants." Good News Translation They presented the head to King David at Hebron and said to him, "Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of your enemy Saul, who tried to kill you. Today the LORD has allowed Your Majesty to take revenge on Saul and his descendants." International Standard Version They brought Ish-bosheth's head to David at Hebron and told the king, "Look! Here's the head of your enemy Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, who sought your life. Today the LORD has given your majesty the king vengeance on Saul and his descendants." Majority Standard Bible They brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, ?Here is the head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who sought your life. Today the LORD has granted vengeance to my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.? NET Bible They brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David in Hebron, saying to the king, "Look! The head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who sought your life! The LORD has granted vengeance to my lord the king this day against Saul and his descendants!" New Heart English Bible They brought the head of Ishbaal to David at Hebron, and said to the king, "Look, the head of Ishbaal, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. The LORD has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and his descendants." Webster's Bible Translation And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thy enemy, who sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and of his seed. World English Bible They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life! Yahweh has avenged my lord the king today of Saul and of his offspring.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand bring in the head of Ish-Bosheth to David in Hebron, and say to the king, “Behold, the head of Ish-Bosheth, son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; and YHWH gives vengeance to my lord the king this day, of Saul and of his seed.” Young's Literal Translation and bring in the head of Ish-Bosheth unto David in Hebron, and say unto the king, 'Lo, the head of Ish-Bosheth, son of Saul, thine enemy, who sought thy life; and Jehovah doth give to my lord the king vengeance this day, of Saul and of his seed.' Smith's Literal Translation And they will bring the head of the man of shame to David to Hebron, and they will say to the king, Behold the head of the man of shame, son of Saul thine enemy, who sought thy soul; and Jehovah will give to my lord the king vengeance this day of Saul and of his seed. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they brought the head of Isboseth to David to Hebron: and they said to the king: Behold the head of Isboseth the son of Saul thy enemy who sought thy life: and the Lord hath revenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed. Catholic Public Domain Version And they brought the head of Ishbosheth to David in Hebron. And they said to the king: “Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who was seeking your life. And so, the Lord has avenged my lord the king, this day, from Saul and from his offspring.” New American Bible They brought the head of Ishbaal to David in Hebron and said to the king: “This is the head of Ishbaal, son of your enemy Saul, who sought your life. Thus has the LORD this day avenged my lord the king on Saul and his posterity.” New Revised Standard Version They brought the head of Ishbaal to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ishbaal, son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; the LORD has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they brought the head of Ashbashul to David at Hebron, and said to King David, Behold the head of Ashbashul the son of Saul your enemy, who sought your life; and the LORD has avenged our lord the king this day of Saul and of his offspring. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they brought the head of Ashbashul to Khebrun to David, and they said to King David: “Behold, the head of Ashbashul, son of Shaul, your enemy, and he sought for your life, and LORD JEHOVAH has given to our Lord the King vengeance today of Shaul and of his seed!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king: 'Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, who sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And they brought the head of Jebosthe to David to Chebron, and they said to the king, Behold the head of Jebosthe the son of Saul thy enemy, who sought thy life; and the Lord has executed for my lord the king vengeance on his enemies, as it is this day: even on Saul thy enemy, and on his seed. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Murder of Ish-bosheth…7They had entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed, and having stabbed and killed him, they beheaded him, took his head, and traveled all night by way of the Arabah. 8They brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who sought your life. Today the LORD has granted vengeance to my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.” Cross References 2 Samuel 1:10 So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.” 1 Samuel 31:4-5 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. / When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him. 1 Samuel 24:4-6 So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. / Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. / So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.” 1 Samuel 26:9-11 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” / David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. / But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.” 2 Samuel 1:14-16 So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” / Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’” 2 Samuel 3:30 (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.) 2 Samuel 3:27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. 2 Samuel 1:15-16 Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’” 1 Kings 2:5-6 Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 1 Kings 2:32 The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. 1 Chronicles 10:4-5 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. / When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died. 1 Chronicles 11:2 Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” Matthew 27:3-5 When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” / So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Acts 1:18-19 (Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. / This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) Romans 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Treasury of Scripture And they brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul your enemy, which sought your life; and the LORD has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed. sought 1 Samuel 18:11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. 1 Samuel 19:2-11,15 But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: … 1 Samuel 20:1 And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life? the Lord 2 Samuel 18:19,31 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies… 2 Samuel 22:48 It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, Luke 18:7,8 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? … Jump to Previous Avenged David Enemy Head Hebron Ishbosheth Life Offspring Saul Seed SoughtJump to Next Avenged David Enemy Head Hebron Ishbosheth Life Offspring Saul Seed Sought2 Samuel 4 1. The Israelites being troubled at the death of Abner2. Baanah and Rechab slay Ish-Bosheth, and bring his head to Hebron 9. David causes them to be slain, and Ish-Bosheth's head to be buried. They brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron This phrase highlights the brutal and violent nature of the political struggles during the time of David. Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, was a rival king over Israel, while David reigned over Judah. Hebron, where David was based, is significant as it was his first capital before Jerusalem. The act of bringing Ish-bosheth's head signifies a claim of loyalty to David, though it was misguided. This reflects the turbulent transition of power and the often ruthless methods employed. The act also foreshadows the eventual unification of Israel under David's rule. and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who sought your life. Today the LORD has granted vengeance to my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.” Persons / Places / Events 1. Ish-boshethThe son of Saul, who was made king over Israel after Saul's death. His reign was marked by conflict with David, who was anointed king over Judah. 2. David The anointed king of Judah, later to become king over all Israel. Known for his heart after God and his complex relationship with Saul's family. 3. Rechab and Baanah The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, who assassinated Ish-bosheth and brought his head to David, expecting a reward. 4. Hebron The city where David was reigning as king over Judah at the time. It was a significant location in David's rise to power. 5. Saul The first king of Israel, whose lineage was seen as a threat to David's kingship. His complex relationship with David is a central theme in 1 and 2 Samuel. Teaching Points Respect for God's AnointedDavid consistently showed respect for Saul and his family, recognizing God's sovereignty in appointing leaders. This teaches us to respect those in authority, trusting God's ultimate plan. Misguided Zeal Rechab and Baanah acted out of a misguided zeal, thinking they were serving David's interests. This warns us against taking matters into our own hands without seeking God's guidance. God's Justice vs. Human Vengeance The passage highlights the difference between divine justice and human vengeance. We are reminded to trust in God's timing and justice rather than seeking our own revenge. Integrity in Leadership David's response to the murder of Ish-bosheth demonstrates integrity and righteousness in leadership. As Christians, we are called to lead with integrity, even when it is difficult.(8) The Lord hath avenged.--It is not to be supposed that the murderers pretended a Divine commission for their wicked deed; they only meant to say that, in the providence of God, David was thus avenged on the seed of his cruel persecutor. Yet they state the fact in the way they thought best calculated to awaken the gratitude of David towards themselves.Verse 8. - Which sought thy life. Saul had sought David's life, but Ishbosheth was innocent of any such attempts. Still, had he been victorious, David, as his rival, would certainly have been put to death. Jehovah hath avenged my lord the king. The ordinary language of the East is so religious that these words imply nothing more than that these wicked men saw in their base act a step towards the carrying out of a Divine purpose. But in thus referring to the common belief that David's kingdom was assured to him by Jehovah, they evidently intended to commend their deed to the really devout mind of the king. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew They broughtוַ֠יָּבִאוּ (way·yā·ḇi·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go the head רֹ֨אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7218: The head of אִֽישׁ־ (’îš-) 0 Strong's Hebrew Ish-bosheth בֹּ֥שֶׁת (bō·šeṯ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 378: Ish-bosheth -- 'man of shame', a son of Saul and king of Israel to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to David דָּוִד֮ (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse at Hebron חֶבְרוֹן֒ (ḥeḇ·rō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 2275: Hebron -- 'association, league', a city in southern Judah and said וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the king, הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king “Here is הִנֵּֽה־ (hin·nêh-) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! the head רֹ֣אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7218: The head of Ish-bosheth בֹּ֗שֶׁת (bō·šeṯ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 378: Ish-bosheth -- 'man of shame', a son of Saul and king of Israel son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Saul, שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites your enemy אֹֽיִבְךָ֔ (’ō·yiḇ·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary who אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that sought בִּקֵּ֖שׁ (biq·qêš) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after your life. נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ (nap̄·še·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion Today הַיּ֣וֹם (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day the LORD יְ֠הוָה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has granted וַיִּתֵּ֣ן (way·yit·tên) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set vengeance נְקָמוֹת֙ (nə·qā·mō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 5360: Avengement to my lord לַֽאדֹנִ֨י (la·ḏō·nî) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller the king הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king against Saul מִשָּׁא֖וּל (miš·šā·’ūl) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites and his offspring.? וּמִזַּרְעֽוֹ׃ (ū·miz·zar·‘ōw) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity Links 2 Samuel 4:8 NIV2 Samuel 4:8 NLT 2 Samuel 4:8 ESV 2 Samuel 4:8 NASB 2 Samuel 4:8 KJV 2 Samuel 4:8 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 4:8 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 4:8 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 4:8 French Bible 2 Samuel 4:8 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 4:8 They brought the head of Ishbosheth (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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