4:1 his courage failed Without Abner, Ish-bosheth knows that it is only a matter of time before his kingdom is overrun.

all of Israel was horrified The nation also knows that Ish-bosheth’s reign can no longer be sustained.

4:2 the descendants of Benjamin The territory of Benjamin is loyal to Saul’s dynasty, which explains why they continue to support Ish-bosheth rather than David (see 2:8 and note, 2:9).

4:3 Beerothites fled to Gittaim This event is not recorded in Scripture. Since Beeroth was one of the cities of the Gibeonites (Josh 9:17), the residents of Beeroth may have fled to Gittaim when Saul put the Gibeonites to death (see 2 Sam 21:1).

4:4 became crippled Even after the death of Ish-bosheth narrated in this chapter, a descendant of Saul still exists. His youth and physical disability are likely mentioned to explain why he was not a threat to take the throne. His lameness will later save his life (19:24–30).

His name was Mephibosheth In the Hebrew text of 1 Chronicles, this character is called Merib-baal (1 Chr 8:34; 9:40). The Baal part of Merib-baal likely refers to the Canaanite storm god, Baal. This means that the name Mephibosheth could have been an alternate name used to avoid mentioning Baal (see note on 1 Chr 8:34).

4:6 they struck him Sensing a coming change in the monarchy, Rechab and Baanah seize the opportunity to eliminate David’s rival king. They kill him in the same manner as Abner was killed (2 Sam 3:27). Ish-bosheth’s head is later buried in Abner’s tomb (v. 12).

4:7 they beheaded him For other examples of beheading in 1 and 2 Samuel, see 1 Sam 5:4; 17:51 and note; 1 Sam 31:9 and note; 2 Sam 20:21–22.

on the way of the Arabah They travel through valley lands to avoid detection.

4:8 They brought the head of The last time someone brought a head before a king was in 1 Sam 17:57, when David brought the head of Goliath to Saul. David was rewarded by being given a position in the king’s court, made part of the royal family, and freed from taxation along with his family (1 Sam 17:25). Rechab and Baanah probably expect a similar reward.

Yahweh has given to my lord the king vengeance Rechab and Baanah wrongly attribute their murder to Yahweh. To show the error of their action, David also cites God’s covenant name, Yahweh, in his rebuttal (2 Sam 4:9).

4:9 As Yahweh lives A common oath formula (see 1 Sam 19:6; 20:3; 1 Kgs 1:29).

4:11 wicked men Refers to Rechab and Baanah.

a righteous man Refers to Ish-bosheth. Thus a contrast is created between Ish-bosheth and his killers.

then, shall I not seek his lifeblood from your hand so that I may destroy you from the earth? David declares that they have committed murder against an innocent man and deserve to die (see Gen 9:6; Exod 21:12; Lev 24:17; Num 35:31).

4:12 they hung Symbolizes that they are accursed (see Deut 21:22–23).