2 Samuel 4:9 - Meaning and Application

Here we see justice done to the men who murdered Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son and rival king. First, judgment was passed on them. No proof was needed, because they spoke for themselves. They did not deny the crime, but boasted about it.

David shows how evil the act was, and says that blood calls for blood from the hand of the ruler, who was responsible for justice. He may also have acted more firmly here because, for reasons of state, he had spared Joab. He asks, “Should I not require the blood of the slain from the slayers, and, since they cannot repay it, take their own lives instead?” He makes the crime look even worse by pointing out that Ish-bosheth was an innocent man who had done them no harm and meant them no harm.

As for David, he was content that Ish-bosheth’s resistance came not from malice, but from a mistaken belief about his own right to the throne, and from others who pushed him into it. Charity teaches us to make the best judgment we can, not only of our friends, but even of our enemies. We should not quickly decide that a man is wicked just because he has wronged us. David called Ish-bosheth an honest man, even though he had caused David much trouble.

The way they killed him made the crime even more shameful. They struck him in his own house, which should have been his safe place, and on his bed, when he was unable to defend himself. That was treacherous, brutal, and deeply dishonorable. Secret murder is one of the most hateful forms of killing, and the law says, “Cursed is anyone who strikes down his neighbor in secret.”

David also points to a precedent. He had put to death the Amalekite who brought news of Saul’s death, because he thought he was bringing good news to David. Nothing here says the man actually helped Saul die, only that he reported his death. It seems David found his story false after inquiry, and that he had lied to save himself. David’s point is clear: if he punished a man who thought he was pleasing him by bringing Saul’s crown, how could these men go free after bringing Ish-bosheth’s head?

David confirms the sentence with an oath: “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my soul from all adversity.” He speaks this firmly, partly to keep others from pleading for the criminals, and partly to show that he trusted God to give him the throne in the right way. He would not owe his rise to any man who helped him through crooked or unlawful means. God had rescued him from many troubles already, and so David trusted him to finish the work he had begun. He speaks of that rescue as already complete, even though more hardship still lay ahead, because he knew the God who had delivered him would keep delivering him.

Then he signed the order for their execution. This may seem severe, since they had meant to help him, but there were two reasons for it. First, he wanted to show how deeply he hated their wickedness. When the Lord struck Nabal, David gave thanks, because vengeance belongs to God. But if wicked men strike down Ish-bosheth, they deserve death for taking God’s work into their own hands. Second, he wanted to show how deeply he rejected the insult they gave him. They seemed to think he would welcome and reward bloodshed. They could hardly have insulted him more than by assuming he was the kind of man who would wade through blood to gain the crown.

Then the murderers were executed according to law, and their hands and feet were cut off and hung up. Their whole bodies were not displayed, because the law forbade that, but their hands and feet were shown as a warning. It was meant to frighten others and stand as a public sign of David’s justice. It also made clear that he was not seeking his own advantage or acting against the house of Saul, but only the public good.

What a disgrace and shock this was for the two murderers. It was a dreadful reversal of what they expected. So it will be for those who think they are serving the Son of David by sinful means, through war, persecution, fraud, robbery, or religious violence. Some use the name of religion to justify murder, broken promises, ruined lands, hatred of their brothers, and expelling others, all while saying, “Let the Lord be glorified.” People may praise such methods for serving the church or the cause of truth, but Christ will one day show that Christianity was never meant to destroy humanity. Those who think they can earn heaven that way will not escape hell’s judgment.