2 Samuel 4:1
◄  2 Samuel 4:1  ►
New International Version (©2011)
When Ish-Bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel became alarmed.

New Living Translation (©2007)
When Ishbosheth, Saul's son, heard about Abner's death at Hebron, he lost all courage, and all Israel became paralyzed with fear.

English Standard Version (©2001)
When Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Now when Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was disturbed.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
When Saul's son Ish-bosheth heard that Abner had died in Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed.

International Standard Version (©2012)
When Saul's son heard that Abner had died in Hebron, his courage failed and all of Israel was disturbed.

NET Bible (©2006)
When Ish-bosheth the son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he was very disheartened, and all Israel was afraid.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
When Saul's son Ishbosheth heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost his courage, and all Israel was alarmed.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

American King James Version
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

American Standard Version
And when Ish-bosheth , Saul's son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Isboseth the son of Saul heard that Abner was slain in Hebron: and his hands were weakened, and all Israel was troubled.

Darby Bible Translation
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were enfeebled, and all Israel was troubled.

English Revised Version
And when Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

World English Bible
When [Ishbosheth], Saul's son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

Young's Literal Translation
And the son of Saul heareth that Abner is dead in Hebron, and his hands are feeble, and all Israel have been troubled.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:1-7 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.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron,.... By Saul's son is meant Ishbosheth, to whom tidings were soon brought of the death of Abner his general, and that he died in Hebron, where David his rival reigned, and was there murdered by Joab the general of his army:

his hands were feeble: not only in a natural sense, being quite dispirited at hearing such news; but in a civil sense, having lost his main support and strength, he being president of his council, and commander of his forces, and in whom he placed all his confidence: and if he knew nothing of his being at Hebron, it must surprise him to hear of his dying there; from whence he might conclude, that since he was there without his knowledge, it could not be in his favour, some plot was forming, and schemes laying with his rival to dethrone him; or if he knew of it, and understood it in this light, that he was endeavouring to make peace between him and David, and upon advantageous terms to him, of which now he might entertain no hopes; he was dispirited, and might conclude that Joab was against any terms at peace, and therefore had dispatched him:

and all the Israelites were troubled; at the loss of so great a man in their kingdom, and of whose designs to unite them to Judah, and put them under the government David, they were not ignorant; but now were in the utmost confusion, not knowing what step to take, and whom to send to carry on the treaty, in which Abner was concerned; and whether it would be safe for any to go upon it, since he who had the management of it was murdered, and no justice done on the murderer, and therefore might question David's sincerity and uprightness in this affair; these things greatly distressed and embarrassed them for the present, but Providence opened a way for their future establishment and prosperity.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 4

2Sa 4:1, 2. Baanah and Rechab Slay Ish-bosheth, and Bring His Head to Hebron.

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The Murder of Ishbosheth
1And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled. 2And 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. 3And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.) …

2 Samuel 2:8 Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.
2 Samuel 3:27 Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into an inner chamber, as if to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died.
Ezra 4:4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.