2 Samuel 4:5

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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) Who lay on a bed at noon—according to the custom in hot countries of taking a siesta at midday. Ish-bosheth’s bed was, of course, in the coolest and most retired part of the house.

Benson Commentary

2 Samuel 4:5-6. Who lay on a bed at noon — As the manner was, and still continues to be, in hot countries. As though they would have fetched wheat — Which was laid up in public granaries in the king’s house, and was fetched thence by the captains and commanders of the army for the pay of their soldiers, who, in those ancient times, were not paid in money, but in corn. Upon this pretence they were admitted into the house, and so went from room to room to the place where the king lay.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:1-7 See how Ishbosheth was murdered! When those difficulties dispirit us, which should sharpen our endeavours, we betray both our heavenly crowns and our earthly lives. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty and ruin. The idle soul is an easy prey to the destroyer. We know not when and where death will meet us. When we lie down to sleep, we are not sure that we may not sleep the sleep of death before we awake; nor do we know from what hand the death-blow may come.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Lay on a bed at noon - Render, "was taking his midday rest," according to the custom of hot countries.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

5, 6. Rechab and Baanah went and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, &c.—It is still a custom in the East to allow their soldiers a certain quantity of corn, together with some pay; and these two captains very naturally went to the palace the day before to fetch wheat, in order to distribute it to the soldiers, that it might be sent to the mill at the accustomed hour in the morning.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Either from discontent of mind, as Ahab did, 1 Kings 21:4; or from sloth and sensuality, as David seems to have done, 2 Samuel 11:2.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah,

went,.... From Gittaim, where they were sojourners, 2 Samuel 4:3; or from the army, where they had commissions, wherever it was:

and came, about the heat of the day; the middle of the day, at noon, as follows:

to the house of Ishbosheth; which was at Mahanaim:

who lay on a bed at noon; as was usual in hot countries, especially for great personages, as kings; so the Targum,"and he was sleeping the sleep of kings;''or at a time when king's usually slept; though this is remarked by some as an instance and proof of the sluggishness and inactivity of this prince, who left the management of all affairs to Abner his general, and gave himself to sloth and sensuality; which, when indulged, bring ruin on princes and their kingdoms.

Geneva Study Bible

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.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

5. to the house of Ish-bosheth] At Mahanaim (ch. 2 Samuel 2:8).

who lay on a bed at noon] Or, as he was taking his midday sleep, or siesta, according to the usual custom of hot countries. They chose an hour when Ish-bosheth would be alone and defenceless.

2 Samuel 4:5

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The two sons of Rimmon went to Mahanaim, where Ishbosheth resided (2 Samuel 2:8, 2 Samuel 2:12), and came in the heat of the day (at noon) into Ishbosheth's house, when he was taking his mid-day rest.