The Murder of Ishbosheth

2 Samuel Chapter 4

Ishbosheth (Saul's son) heard about Abner's death at Hebron and he lost all his courage and his people were paralyzed with fear.

Saul's son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth who was crippled. When he was five years old, Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle. When news of the battle reached the capital, the child's nurse grabbed him and fled. But she fell and dropped him as she ran, and he became crippled. More will be told about the boy in chapters to come.

One day Recab and Baanah who were captains in Ishbosheth's raiding parties, went to Ishbosheth's home as he was napping. They slipped past a sleeping doorkeeper and went into Ishbosheth's bedroom and stabbed him in the stomach. Then they cut off his head and fled across the Jordan Valley to Hebron. In Hebron they presented Ishbosheth's head to David.

But David was angry and told them that once before, "someone told me 'Saul is dead', thinking he was bringing me good news. But I seized him and killed him a Ziklag. That's the reward I have for his news! Now what reward should I give the wicked men who have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed? Should I not demand your very lives?" So David ordered his men to kill Recab and Baanah and they cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies beside the pool in Hebron. And they took Ishbosheth's head and buried it in Abner's tomb in Hebron.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Ishbosheth was a man who took courage from Abner rather than from God. When Abner died, he was left with nothing and he collapsed from the pressure and fear.

David called Ishbosheth an "innocent man". As Saul's son, Ishbosheth was not wicked for wanting to be king, but he was too weak to stand against injustice. David knew Ishbosheth was not a strong leader, but David also knew God had promised the kingdom to him and that God would fulfill his promise.

David thought the slaying of Ishbosheth was a cowardly act. He wanted to unite Israel, not drive a wedge between him and Ishbosheth's supporters.The tribes of Israel recognized David as the strong leader they needed and finally pledged loyalty to him.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? This chapter shows us what fear can do to an entire country. Fear became paralyzing. Why? Because we often fail to remember to put our faith and trust in God. God can help us overcome fear. Trust in him and we are free to move about our daily lives. Faith is utmost. When you pray to God and use your faith to sustain you, can't you feel the strength he sends us? You will feel the strength and also the courage you will get from your Lord in heaven. He hears us. He hears us every day, every minute. Turn to him and do not be afraid!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Update on Lori: she sheds her back brace soon and can drive. She thanks God for healing her. Please continue to pray for her during recovery. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home from the hospital and having rehab for the paralysis on one side of her body. Continue to pray for her recovery. Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: A photo of her shows a chubby, alert baby who is breathing on her own. Her eyesight problems seem to be no longer a problem. But she must learn to eat and drink normally. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. Update on Mark: He has some paralysis on one side from the stroke, his eyesight has been impaired too. But he has gone home and his wife cares for him. Soon he will begin therapy. Continue to pray for his healing. Pray also for my aged friend Elaine who underwent surgery and is home healing slowly. Update on Craig: he ended up having a stent put in and is back to work. Keep him and his family on your list for prayers. Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.