Chapter 4 of 2 Samuel is a very short chapter. Yet it mentions some very important parts of history. This chapter speaks first of a murder. Right in the middle of that story, the subject changes to speak about a crippled child. Next, we go right back to the scene of the murder. As usual, things at the palace of David are surprising and very unpredictable. You never know what is going to happen next. There are a lot of words we could use to describe David’s life. “Boring” would never be one of those words.
2 Samuel Chapter Four opens with the murder of Ish-Bosheth.
MURDER OF ISH-BOSHETH
Ish-Bosheth is upset about Abner’s death. Israel becomes alarmed with Ish-Bosheth’s state of mind. He does not seem to be ruling the kingdom at all. Matters of the kingdom are ignored. He is overlooking many things. Ish-Bosheth is moping around the palace. Much of his time is spent in sleep. Perhaps sleep helps him to cop out. He can ignore the fact that he is a helpless King who does not know how to rule. Without Abner, Ish-Bosheth has no one to seek for advice.
Two brothers from the Tribe of Benjamin lead Ish-Bosheth’s raiding bands. Their names are Baanah and Rekab. Together they devise a plan to kill Ish-Bosheth. They hope to obtain a reward from David. The men simply assume David will appreciate their horrible plan.
One day these men decide to sneak into the house where Ish-Bosheth is taking his nap. It is the middle of the day around noon. They stab Ish-Bosheth in the stomach as he lies asleep in his own bed.
DAVID IS GIVEN ISH-BOSHETH’S HEAD
Baanah and Rekab cut off Ish-Bosheth’s head. They travel all night to take his head to David. Upon arriving in Hebron, they present the head of Ish-Bosheth to The King.
I suppose, given the history of things between Saul and David, these ruthless men thought David would be happy. They made it known they had sought vengeance against this Son of Saul. Maybe they realized how many times David presented heads to Saul. The heads were always used as evidence when someone destroyed Saul’s enemies. Perhaps Baanah and Rekab knew the legends of David as a boy,. He was known as the one who slayed the giant Philistine. David did not walk away without leaving him headless. Apparently, they never stopped to question the fact that David would be pleased with their actions.
Baanah and Rekab present Ish-Bosheth’s head to David. Their words are, “Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to kill you. This day the Lord has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.” (2 Samuel 4:8.)
David is probably horrified at this offering. It all sounds too familiar to him. This story seems too much like something he has experienced in the past.
JUSTICE IS SERVED
King David answers Baanah and Rekab quickly. “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, when someone told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news!
How much more now, when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed. Should I not demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you?” (2 Samuel 4:9-11.)
This answer shocked Baanah and Rekab. They made their living by collecting rewards for slaying people’s enemies. Today, they did evil in David’s name without David’s consent.
How many times have we seen ministries go down this same road? How many things are done in God’s name, by well meaning people, without God’s consent? No wonder David is a man after God’s own heart.
PONDERING THE THOUGHTS OF A RIGHTEOUS KING
It is possible David is recalling his own memories. He could be thinking back to the days Saul sent men to kill him in his own bed. Michal helped him to escape through the window. She placed one of Saul’s idols inside David’s bed to mislead Saul’s men. Could David be remembering this day?
No one really knows what thoughts are going through David’s mind in this situation. We do know he is displeased. He is appalled with this show of violence against an innocent man. David vowed to take the throne only through the power of God’s will. He did not rule by his own strength. David is totally against more blood and violence. Yet, it seems to be a repeated pattern wherever David goes. Again, we see the proof that David desires to establish his reign on principles of integrity and righteousness.
WICKEDNESS IS PUNISHED
King David orders his men to kill Baanah and Rekab. This part of the story reminds me of the Purim story. I’m remembering how wicked Haman is found out by the King in the story of Esther. Haman too is hung by his own gallows. Your sins always find you out.
The men of David cut off the hands and feet of Baanah and Rekab. They hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron. Death from the cutting off of hands and feet was the usual and customary punishment for treason. By acting on David’s behalf without his consent, these men clearly committed treason against the King.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS?
There are many points to take away from this story. First, we see David’s response to Ish-Bosheth’s death. This response tells us he is a true leader. True leaders never celebrate the downfall of their opponents. They concentrate on upholding justice. Good leaders focus on acting righteously with correct judgements. They protect and defend a stable kingdom.
We can note that David’s swift judgment helped to secure his reign and the future of Israel.
LOYALTY IS THE HIGHEST VIRTUE
By punishing these traitors, David upholds loyalty as the highest virtue of his kingdom. In a righteous kingdom, loyalty never goes unrewarded. Treason is always punished.
That the bodies of these traitors are hung by the pool in Hebron carries profound implications. Hebron was the central and most significant city of Judah. Choosing to hang the traitors in Hebron showed the people there is a sense of justice being served. It is a public demonstration. The public display serves to ensures that treason will not be tolerated within this kingdom. This very public display can be seen and understood by all citizens.
RESPECT FOR OTHERS
David’s men bury the head of Ish-Bosheth in Abner’s tomb at Hebron. The ironic burial of Ish-Bosheth’s head in Abner’s tomb reflects respect for the deceased. This speaks to the complexities of the relationships between national leaders. Ish-Bosheth is not a friend to David, yet David honors his memory. This publicly highlights the respect that leaders should show to other leaders.
The burial reflects David’s respect for the deceased. Ish-Bosheth has been weak and ineffective as a king. He has treated David as an enemy. This highlights David’s ability to rise above common reactions. He acts in a royal and respectful manner.
WE CAN LEARN FROM DAVID’S ACTIONS
There is much to learn from the integrity of David. He faces betrayal and wrongdoing. Yet, he chooses not to seek retribution. This serves as a good reminder that true leaders always prioritize fairness. They never choose to respond to evil with evil. Furthermore, when leaders demonstrate righteousness, foundations of trust and loyalty are built. This is what David desired for his kingdom.
ALL LIFE IS SACRED
Next, David chooses to acknowledge the value of human life. Upholding the sanctity of life, even in times of great conflict, is a choice for human dignity. The dignity of human life is to be held in highest regard. No exceptions.
By burying Ish-Bosheth in Abner’s tomb, David exemplifies integrity. He fosters peace. This example brings unity among the people of the land. The mature King is cultivating an environment which promotes loyalty, respect and trust.
FIRST MENTION OF MEPHIBOSHETH
Moreover, within the writings of Chapter Four, we also note the untimely mention of Mephibosheth. For some odd reason, His name comes up right in the middle of the story of the murder of Ish-Bosheth. It appears Mephibosheth would have been of a higher rank than Ish-Bosheth in Saul’s Kingdom. That may be the reason for such an odd and untimely mention of this subject. Ish-Bosheth died. Yet, no one considered Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth.
Jonathan is David’s closest and life-long friend. Yet, even David is unaware of the existence of Mephibosheth. The scriptures say Mephibosheth is five years old at the time of Saul and Jonathan’s death. Additionally, we discover Mephibosheth’s hidden life. His residence is somewhere outside the kingdom.
A FALL OF FATE
The story goes like this. Upon hearing the troubling news of Saul and Jonathan’s death, Mephibosheth’s nurse picks up Miphiboseth and flees. Perhaps she fears for Mephibosheth’s life. Maybe she is trying to take him to safety. As she hurries, she stumbles. She drops Mephibosheth. The boy falls. This tragic fall causes him to become disabled. Mephibosheth is now lame in both feet.
Furthermore, Mephibosheth ranks higher as a son of the kingdom than Ish-Bosheth. Yet, he is never considered as a candidate to reign inside the kingdom. Is the fact that Mephibosheth is lame a disqualification against him as a ruler? If not, is he disqualified specifically because his whereabouts are unknown?
This story of Mephibosheth is an amazing story. We will have to wait for it to unravel. It rests within all the other stories of the reign of King David. This tragic story seems to be hiding somewhere deep within the pages of all the other stories. It will come forth in God’s good time.
Like many of us who follow Christ, Mephibosheth’s life falls into a season of hiddenness. No one notices him. He is practically unseen. The boy of a promising future loses his royal status. He lives the lowly life of a commoner. The problem isn’t simply that he is a common, ordinary citizen. He is lame and helpless as well.
ONE WHO LOST HIS HERITAGE
It is apparent to this author that believers have much to glean from Mephibosheth’s story. Again, we must wait for its time. For now though, we do have a glimpse into the mysterious fact that Jonathan left a son behind. Isn’t that interesting?
Additionally, it is also interesting to note how the facts of this story and Mephibosheth’s inheritance play into the meanings of the current month of Shevat.
Shevat, this eleventh sacred month on the Hebraic calendar. It is our annual reminder to be examining our progress toward coming into our inheritance. The month of Shevat is known as the historical month when The People of Israel are being prepared to enter the Promised Land. Moses is reminding them of their purpose. Perhaps God is doing the same for Mephibosheth as he lives through this hidden life he is destined to live.
Because of this national history, Shevat reminds us to focus on the state of our spiritual and/or physical inheritance. Shevat is definitely a time for getting ready.
Is this what is happening to Mephibosheth? Is God helping him to get ready? Are the years of isolation there for preparing him for his future? Will God give this son who is lacking in opportunity a new and better life? Can he return to his life as a royal heir? Maybe our story will reveal the answers at some point.
ONLY A PREVIEW
Along with this annual reminder to prepare for our inheritance, we hear of how Mephibosheth should have inherited much. Consequently, instead of inheriting a promotion in kingdom life, Mephibosheth is injured and crippled. He suffers loss. The nurse removes him from his rightful home and heritage. As a result, Mephibosheth does not receive the royal life which he is entitled to live. This invalid son of Jonathan is totally forgotten.
We will pick up the pieces of Mephibosheth’s story again. The surprising end of this story will finally be told. Tuck this little preview of Mephibosheth inside your hat for now. God has a lot more to teach us about the subject of Mephibosheth.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father, in today’s lesson we see how justice and integrity build the foundations of strong relationships, communities, and nations. We see how true Kings learn to operate with integrity. Teach us to be just and loyal for Your Kingdom. Help us to consider our actions with care. Teach us to put aside any vengeance. All vengeance belongs to You and You alone.
Help us to be merciful, kind and respectful to others. Teach us to value the sacredness of human life. It is important for us to learn how to walk in grace and love, even toward our enemies.
Father, we know we can trust You to help us with all of these daily battles. Help us just the way you helped David. It is obvious we must trust You through the good and the bad. When we walk through hopeless seasons, You are our hope for a future. Thank you Lord for walking through the fire with us. Please continue to lead us. Guide us as we strive to live in obedience to you. Amen.