“Murder of Ishbosheth”

 “Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.” (2 Samuel 2:10)

Background

Abner had grown to be the military leader of King Saul. With the death of Saul and his son’s that fought with him, there was only Ishbosheth left of Saul’s son’s. Ishbosheth was far from a warrior. A 40 year old who couldn’t be bothered to go to war along side his father and brothers, but he could accept being named King. Being King, Ishbosheth was not required to listen to Abner, Ishbosheth was too lazy and cowardly to fight.

Why Murder?

The Murder of Ishbosheth is premeditated. The Murders are Baanah and Rechab. Both Baanah and Rechab are Benjamanites from Saul’s tribe, as was Ishbosheth. When a power vacuum exists someone is always waiting to fill the void.

Ishbosheth should have been in the field with his warriors, or in discussions with David. Instead, he lounges in his bed enjoying the lavish life of a King. Abner is dead, there is no more protection for Ishbosheth. The remaining line of Saul’s Kingship is only Ishbosheth and Mephibosheth.

Mephibosheth, is Jonathan’s son. “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.” (2 Samuel 4:4)

Mephibosheth is only about 7 years old at this point, and lame. He is far from being able to lead a tribe. With Ishbosheth as the only adult leader, eliminating him will leave a hole that Baanah and Rechab hope to be able to fill.

The Murder

Baanah and Rechab go into Ishbosheth’s bed room in the middle of the day and stab him to death. They do not try to hide the murder, instead they escape with the head of Ishbosheth. They take the head to prove to David that they had done the deed.

What they Expected

“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.” (2 Samuel 4:8)

They were expecting a reward and probably a promotion from David.

What they Received

“9And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

10When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:

11How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?

12And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.” (2 Samuel 4:9-12)

Although Ishbosheth may not be the most intelligent, or even possess leadership skills he is still righteous in the eyes of David. God decides when a life is taken. In this case, the life was not taken in war, it was taken in peace by greed. David had them killed and their greed put on display for all of Hebron to see.

Stay Tuned…