2 Samuel 4
Matthew Henry · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Samuel 4
Henry - Verses 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. 2 Samuel 4:2 Saul's son had two men who were commanders of bands: the name of the one was Baanah and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the sons of Benjamin (for Beeroth is also considered part of Benjamin, BGT 2 Samuel 4:2 καὶ δύο ἄνδρες ἡγούμενοι συστρεμμάτων τῷ Μεμφιβοσθε υἱῷ Σαουλ ὄνομα τῷ ἑνὶ Βαανα καὶ ὄνομα τῷ δευτέρῳ Ρηχαβ υἱοὶ Ρεμμων τοῦ Βηρωθαίου ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν Βενιαμιν ὅτι Βηρωθ ἐλογίζετο τοῖς υἱοῖς Βενιαμιν LXE 2 Samuel 4:2 And Jebosthe the son of Saul had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baana, and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Remmon the Berothite of the children of Benjamin; for Beroth was reckoned to the children of Benjamin. KJV 2 Samuel 4:2 And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin: NET 2 Samuel 4:2 Now Saul's son had two men who were in charge of raiding units; one was named Baanah and the other Recab. They were sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, who was a Benjaminite. (Beeroth is regarded as belonging to Benjamin, CSB 2 Samuel 4:2 Saul's son had two men who were leaders of raiding parties: one named Baanah and the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite of the Benjaminites. Beeroth is also considered part of Benjamin, ESV 2 Samuel 4:2 Now Saul's son had two men who were captains of raiding bands; the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon a man of Benjamin from Beeroth (for Beeroth also is counted part of Benjamin; NIV 2 Samuel 4:2 Now Saul's son had two men who were leaders of raiding bands. One was named Baanah and the other Recab; they were sons of Rimmon the Beerothite from the tribe of Benjamin--Beeroth is considered part of Benjamin, NLT 2 Samuel 4:2 Now there were two brothers, Baanah and Recab, who were captains of Ishbosheth's raiding parties. They were sons of Rimmon, a member of the tribe of Benjamin who lived in Beeroth. The town of Beeroth is now part of Benjamin's territory commanders of bands: 2Sa 3:22 2Ki 5:2 6:23 Beeroth: Jos 9:17 18:25 BACKGROUND FOR THE MURDER OF ISH-BOSHETH Saul's son had two men who were commanders of bands: the name of the one was Baanah and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the sons of Benjamin (for Beeroth is also considered part of Benjamin - Beeroth is northwest of Gibeah, about 8 or 9 miles. It is also a part of the territory for the tribe of Benjamin These two men were under Ish-bosheth's rule but would soon commit treason and murder in hopes of currying favor with David. But clearly they did not know David's heart and their ignorance would cost them their lives! 2 Samuel 4:3 and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been aliens there until this day). BGT 2 Samuel 4:3 καὶ ἀπέδρασαν οἱ Βηρωθαῖοι εἰς Γεθθαιμ καὶ ἦσαν ἐκεῖ παροικοῦντες ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης LXE 2 Samuel 4:3 And the Berothites ran away to Gethaim, and were sojourners there until this day. KJV 2 Samuel 4:3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.) NET 2 Samuel 4:3 for the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have remained there as resident foreigners until the present time.) CSB 2 Samuel 4:3 and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and still live there as foreigners to this very day. ESV 2 Samuel 4:3 the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been sojourners there to this day). NIV 2 Samuel 4:3 because the people of Beeroth fled to Gittaim and have lived there as aliens to this day. NLT 2 Samuel 4:3 because the original people of Beeroth fled to Gittaim, where they still live as foreigners. 1Sa 31:7 Ne 11:33 and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been aliens there until this day). Evidently there was some conflict, and the people of Beeroth fled to Gittaim and continued to find residence in that place. 2 Samuel 4:4 Now Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. BGT 2 Samuel 4:4 καὶ τῷ Ιωναθαν υἱῷ Σαουλ υἱὸς πεπληγὼς τοὺς πόδας υἱὸς ἐτῶν πέντε οὗτος ἐν τῷ ἐλθεῖν τὴν ἀγγελίαν Σαουλ καὶ Ιωναθαν τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐξ Ιεζραελ καὶ ἦρεν αὐτὸν ἡ τιθηνὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔφυγεν καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ σπεύδειν αὐτὴν καὶ ἀναχωρεῖν καὶ ἔπεσεν καὶ ἐχωλάνθη καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Μεμφιβοσθε LXE 2 Samuel 4:4 And Jonathan Saul's son had a son lame of his feet, five years old, and he was in the way when the news of Saul and Jonathan his son came from Jezrael, and his nurse took him up, and fled; and it came to pass as he hasted and retreated, that he fell, and was lamed. And his name was Memphibosthe. KJV 2 Samuel 4:4 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. NET 2 Samuel 4:4 Now Saul's son Jonathan had a son who was crippled in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan arrived from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but in her haste to get away, he fell and was injured. Mephibosheth was his name. CSB 2 Samuel 4:4 Saul's son Jonathan had a son whose feet were crippled. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. The one who had nursed him picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth. ESV 2 Samuel 4:4 Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. NIV 2 Samuel 4:4 (Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became crippled. His name was Mephibosheth.) NLT 2 Samuel 4:4 (Saul's son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child's nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.) Jonathan: 2Sa 9:3 when the report of Saul and Jonathan came: 1Sa 29:1,11 31:1-10 Mephibosheth: 1Ch 8:34 1Ch 9:40 2Sa 19:24-30 Related Passages: 2 Samuel 9:3-11+ The king said, “Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.” 4 So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar. 6 Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and prostrated himself. And David said, “Mephibosheth.” And he said, “Here is your servant!” 7 David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.” 8 Again he prostrated himself and said, “What is your servant, that you should regard a dead dog like me?” 9 Then the king called Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson. 10 “You and your sons and your servants shall cultivate the land for him, and you shall bring in the produce so that your master’s grandson may have food; nevertheless Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall eat at my table regularly.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons. THE CRIPPLING OF MEPHIBOSHETH Now Jonathan, Saul's son (Jonathan), had a son crippled in his feet. He was five years old (he would be 12 yo now) when the report of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and became lame - The writer introduces what is almost a parenthetical fact which will come into play in chapter 9. He explains how Mephibosheth had become crippled when the news of the of his grandfather and father's death reached their home. There is a touch of tragic irony in that the fall of his father Jonathan brought about the fall of his son! Jezreel ("sown of God," "God sows," "God scatters") is the plain where the Philistines engaged Israel in battle (1Sa 29:1, 11) and was a perfect site for the Philistines to use their deadly chariots because the terrain for flat and allowed for maneuvering. Regarding the name Mephibosheth, see note on 1 Chron. 8:34. His story is resumed in 2 Sam. 9. His lameness disqualified him from serving as king. Valley of Jezreel is first described in Joshua (Josh 15:56, 17:16, 19:18) and next in Judges as the site of Gideon's battle with the Midianites (Jdg 6:33). It was next described as the place of the defeat of the Israelites under Saul and Jonathan (1Sa 29:1, 11; 1Sa 31:1-6; 2Sa 4:4). This broad plain is adjacent to Megiddo and is very likely the site of the final battle when anti-God forces gather at Armageddon (See notes on Revelation 16:16). n Re 16:16 the scene of a the struggle of good and evil is suggested by that battle plain of Esdraelon, which was famous for two great victories, of Barak over the Canaanites, and of Gideon over the Midianites; and for two great disasters, the deaths of Saul and Josiah. Hence in Revelation a place of great slaughter, the scene of a terrible retribution upon the wicked. And his name was Mephibosheth - In 1Ch 8:34 we read "And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal became the father of Micah." Merib-baal is the original name of this particular Mephibosheth (see note below for another person of same name). Baal (ba'al) means "lord" or "owner," but of course it was also used to designate the Canaanite's male god of fertility, their "storm god," their "most powerful" (idols have no power beloved!) deity in Canaanite cosmology probably because of association with fertility with life giving rain from storms (thus their "storm god"). Because of this association with the Canaanite's idol, the name was changed from Merib-baal to Mephibosheth. The name Mephibosheth means something like "exterminating the idol," "exterminator of shame," "dispeller of shame" (i.e. of Baal). 2 Samuel 4:5 So the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, departed and came to the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day while he was taking his midday rest. BGT 2 Samuel 4:5 καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν υἱοὶ Ρεμμων τοῦ Βηρωθαίου Ρεκχα καὶ Βαανα καὶ εἰσῆλθον ἐν τῷ καύματι τῆς ἡμέρας εἰς οἶκον Μεμφιβοσθε καὶ αὐτὸς ἐκάθευδεν ἐν τῇ κοίτῃ τῆς μεσημβρίας LXE 2 Samuel 4:5 And Rechab and Baana the sons of Remmon the Berothite went, and they came in the heat of the day into the house of Jebosthe; and he was sleeping on a bed at noon. KJV 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. NET 2 Samuel 4:5 Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite– Recab and Baanah– went at the hottest part of the day to the home of Ish-bosheth, as he was enjoying his midday rest. CSB 2 Samuel 4:5 Rechab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out and arrived at Ish-bosheth's house during the heat of the day while the king was taking his midday nap. ESV 2 Samuel 4:5 Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the heat of the day they came to the house of Ish-bosheth as he was taking his noonday rest. NIV 2 Samuel 4:5 Now Recab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out for the house of Ish-Bosheth, and they arrived there in the heat of the day while he was taking his noonday rest. NLT 2 Samuel 4:5 One day Recab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth, went to Ishbosheth's house around noon as he was taking his midday rest. came to the house: 2Ch 24:25 25:27 33:24 while he was taking his midday rest: 2Sa 11:2 1Ki 16:9 Pr 24:33,34 1Th 5:3-7 THE PLOT UNFOLDS So the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, departed and came to the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day while he was taking his midday rest - It was the custom as in all hot middle eastern countries, to travel or work very early and very late, and to rest at noon, when the sun was hottest. Ish-bosheth was resting, but the men were plotting! 2 Samuel 4:6 They came to the middle of the house as if to get wheat, and they struck him in the belly; and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. BGT 2 Samuel 4:6 καὶ ἰδοὺ ἡ θυρωρὸς τοῦ οἴκου ἐκάθαιρεν πυροὺς καὶ ἐνύσταξεν καὶ ἐκάθευδεν καὶ Ρεκχα καὶ Βαανα οἱ ἀδελφοὶ διέλαθον LXE 2 Samuel 4:6 And, behold, the porter of the house winnowed wheat, and he slumbered and slept: and the brothers Rechab and Baana went privily into the house: KJV 2 Samuel 4:6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. NET 2 Samuel 4:6 They entered the house under the pretense of getting wheat and mortally wounded him in the stomach. Then Recab and his brother Baanah escaped. CSB 2 Samuel 4:6 They entered the interior of the house as if to get wheat and stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and his brother Baanah escaped. ESV 2 Samuel 4:6 And they came into the midst of the house as if to get wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. NIV 2 Samuel 4:6 They went into the inner part of the house as if to get some wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Recab and his brother Baanah slipped away. as though: It is still the custom of the East, according to Dr. Perry, to allow the soldiers a certain quantity of corn, with other articles of provision, together with some pay: and as it was the custom also to grind the corn, as needed, at the break of day, these two captains very naturally went the day before to the palace, where the king's stores appear to have been kept, to fetch wheat, in order to distribute it to the soldiers under them, to be ground at the accustomed hour in the morning. The princes of the East, in those days, as appears from the history of David, reposed on their couches till the cool of the evening: they therefore came in the heat of the day, when they knew their master would be resting on his bed; and as it was a necessary to have the corn before it was needed, their coming at this time, though it might be earlier than usual, excited no suspicion. under: 2Sa 2:23 3:27 20:10 THE PLOY TO DECEIVE A ploy is a cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one's own advantage. They came to the middle of the house as if to get wheat, and they struck him in the belly - They played their ploy which allowed them to make their point (pun intended)! and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped - Their daring assassination of the king was successful 2 Samuel 4:7 Now when they came into the house, as he was lying on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and killed him and beheaded him. And they took his head and traveled by way of the Arabah all night. BGT 2 Samuel 4:7 καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὸν οἶκον καὶ Μεμφιβοσθε ἐκάθευδεν ἐπὶ τῆς κλίνης αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ κοιτῶνι αὐτοῦ καὶ τύπτουσιν αὐτὸν καὶ θανατοῦσιν καὶ ἀφαιροῦσιν τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλαβον τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπῆλθον ὁδὸν τὴν κατὰ δυσμὰς ὅλην τὴν νύκτα LXE 2 Samuel 4:7 And Jebosthe was sleeping on his bed in his chamber: and they smite him, and slay him, and take off his head: and they took his head, and went all the night by the western road. KJV 2 Samuel 4:7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night. NET 2 Samuel 4:7 They had entered the house while Ish-bosheth was resting on his bed in his bedroom. They mortally wounded him and then cut off his head. Taking his head, they traveled on the way of the Arabah all that night. CSB 2 Samuel 4:7 They had entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed in his bedroom and stabbed and killed him. Then they beheaded him, took his head, and traveled by way of the Arabah all night. ESV 2 Samuel 4:7 When they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and put him to death and beheaded him. They took his head and went by the way of the Arabah all night, NIV 2 Samuel 4:7 They had gone into the house while he was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head. Taking it with them, they traveled all night by way of the Arabah. NLT 2 Samuel 4:7 They went into the house and found Ishbosheth sleeping on his bed. They struck and killed him and cut off his head. Then, taking his head with them, they fled across the Jordan Valley through the night. took his head: 1Sa 17:54 31:9 2Ki 10:6,7 Mt 14:11 Mk 6:28,29 When those difficulties dispirit us which should rather invigorate us and sharpen our endeavours, we betray a carelessness of character which is soon taken advantage of by our more watchful neighbours. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty and ruin. The idle soul is an easy prey to the destroyer. Jordan Rift Valley (Arabah) Topography ISH-BOSHETH'S HEAD TAKEN AS A "TROPHY" Now when they came into the house, as he was lying on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and killed him and beheaded him - One has to wonder how they could have gotten this close to the king? Most kings in the savage ancient world had a number of guards and bodyguards. In any event, God allowed them to come into his bedroom (God is not the Author of evil, but He is in full control of events, evil and good). And they took his head and traveled by way of the Arabah all night - They were men on a mission, but little did they know it would be the last mission they would ever undertake! After having killed Ish-Bosheth, they beheaded him; and took the head and immediately traveled south toward Hebron, which is about 60-65 miles southwest from where they were. They went through the wilderness and desert area because they did not want to call attention to themselves. 2 Samuel 4:8 Then they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, "Behold, the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; thus the LORD has given my lord the king vengeance this day on Saul and his descendants." BGT 2 Samuel 4:8 καὶ ἤνεγκαν τὴν κεφαλὴν Μεμφιβοσθε τῷ Δαυιδ εἰς Χεβρων καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ἰδοὺ ἡ κεφαλὴ Μεμφιβοσθε υἱοῦ Σαουλ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ σου ὃς ἐζήτει τὴν ψυχήν σου καὶ ἔδωκεν κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ βασιλεῖ ἐκδίκησιν τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη ἐκ Σαουλ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ σου καὶ ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος αὐτοῦ LXE 2 Samuel 4:8 And they brought the head of Jebosthe to David to Chebron, and they said to the king, Behold the head of Jebosthe the son of Saul thy enemy, who sought thy life; and the Lord has executed for my lord the king vengeance on his enemies, as it is this day: even on Saul thy enemy, and on his seed. KJV 2 Samuel 4:8 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. NET 2 Samuel 4:8 They brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David in Hebron, saying to the king, "Look! The head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who sought your life! The LORD has granted vengeance to my lord the king this day against Saul and his descendants!" CSB 2 Samuel 4:8 They brought Ish-bosheth's head to David at Hebron and said to the king, "Here's the head of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, your enemy who intended to take your life. Today the LORD has granted vengeance to my lord the king against Saul and his offspring." ESV 2 Samuel 4:8 and brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron. And they said to the king, "Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. The LORD has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring." NIV 2 Samuel 4:8 They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, "Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to take your life. This day the LORD has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring." NLT 2 Samuel 4:8 When they arrived at Hebron, they presented Ishbosheth's head to David. "Look!" they exclaimed to the king. "Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of your enemy Saul who tried to kill you. Today the LORD has given my lord the king revenge on Saul and his entire family!" sought: 1Sa 18:11 19:2-11,15 20:1 23:15 25:29 Ps 63:9,10 71:24 Mt 2:20 the Lord: 2Sa 18:19,31 22:48 Lu 18:7,8 Rev 6:10 18:20 ASSASSINS PRESENT "TROPHY" OF ISH-BOSHETH'S HEAD TO DAVID Then - After they had murdered and beheaded Ish-bosheth and made the 30 mile journey under the cover of darkness. they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron - The Jordan River is the location of the "Arabah" (Jordan Rift Valley) by which the assassins fled from Ish-bosheth's palace in Mahanaim, east of the Jordan in the map above. and said to the king, "Behold, the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life - I am not sure their statement is accurate -- I am not sure there is any evidence that Ish-Bosheth had sought to assassinate David and I know that David did not consider Ish-bosheth and enemy because he did not consider his father an enemy, even though he was in fact trying to take his life! This is a man after God's own heart. And these two men are men after a man's (fallen) heart! thus the LORD has given my lord the king vengeance this day on Saul and his descendants - They are putting words into David's mouth! Or looked at another way, they are presuming that the vengeance they had carried out was the LORD'S will. David had never mentioned the word vengeance in regard to Saul or family and he did not seek vengeance toward them. He knew and practiced the principle of Ro 12:19 "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord." Warren
2 Samuel 4
Henry comments on this, “The murderers were put to death according to law to be monuments of David’s justice. But what a confusion was this to the two murderers. What a horrid disappointment and such those will meet with who think to serve the interests of the son of David (Jesus) by any immoral practices, by war and persecution, fraud and rapine; who under color of religion murder prices, break solemn contracts, lay countries waste, hate their brethren and cast them out and say, ‘Let the Lord be glorified;’ kill them and think they do God good service. However men may canonize such methods of serving the church, Christ will let them know another day Christianity was not intended to destroy humanity.” Life Application Study Bible (borrow) - When David learned of Ish-bosheth's death, he was angry. He had never harmed Saul, and he thought the assassins' method was cowardly. David wanted to unite Israel, not drive a permanent wedge between him and Ish-bosheth's supporters. To show that he had nothing to do with the extermination of Saul's royal line, he ordered the assassins killed and gave Ish-bosheth a proper burial. All the tribes of Israel, recognizing in David the strong leader they needed, pledged their loyalty to him. No doubt the Philistine threat and David's military reputation (1 Samuel 18:7) also helped unify the people. Davis points out, “One cannot help but be impressed with the ethical and political sophistication that David brought to Israel’s politics. This was in contrast to the approach adopted by King Saul. David did not follow the philosophy that the end justifies any means. He was convinced of the providential and sovereign control of his God. He believed that in the proper time the way would be opened for the unification of the land and the establishment of one throne.” (Borrow The Birth of a Kingdom : Studies in I-II Samuel and I Kings 1-11)