2 SamuelChapter 4
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1Ish-bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron. Then he lost his courage, and all Israel was afraid. 2Saul's son had two men who led bands of raiders. One was named Baanah, and the other was Rechab. They were sons of Rimmon from Beeroth. They were from the tribe of Benjamin. Beeroth is counted as part of Benjamin. 3This is because the people of Beeroth ran away to Gittaim. They have lived there as foreigners to this day. 4Jonathan son of Saul had a son who could not walk well. His feet were hurt. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and ran. But as she hurried to get away, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth. 5Now Rechab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth, set out. They came to Ish-bosheth's house in the heat of the day. The king was taking his nap at noon. 6They went inside the house as if to get some wheat. Then they stabbed him in the stomach. Rechab and his brother Baanah slipped away. 7They had gone into the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed. They stabbed him and killed him. Then they cut off his head and took it with them. They traveled all night on the road through the Arabah. 8They brought Ish-bosheth's head to David at Hebron. They said to the king, "Here is the head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul. He was your enemy who tried to kill you. Today the LORD has paid back Saul and his children for you, my lord the king." 9But David answered Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth. He said, "As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from every trouble, 10a man once told me, 'Look, Saul is dead.' He thought he was bringing good news. But I grabbed him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! 11Wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house, on his own bed. So how much more should I now make you pay for his blood! I will wipe you off the earth!" 12So David gave an order to his young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet. They hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron. But they took Ish-bosheth's head and buried it in Abner's tomb in Hebron.