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

New Living Translation
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
When Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed.

Berean Standard Bible
Now when Ish-bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was dismayed.

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

New King James Version
When Saul’s son heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost heart, and all Israel was troubled.

New American Standard Bible
Now when Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, heard that Abner had died in Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was horrified.

NASB 1995
Now when Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was disturbed.

NASB 1977
Now when Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was disturbed.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son heard that Abner had died in Hebron. And he lost courage, and all Israel was dismayed.

Amplified Bible
When Saul’s son Ish-bosheth [king of Israel], heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was horrified.

Christian Standard Bible
When Saul’s son Ish-bosheth heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he gave up, and all Israel was dismayed.

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

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.

Contemporary English Version
Ishbosheth felt like giving up after he heard that Abner had died in Hebron. Everyone in Israel was terrified.

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.

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

Good News Translation
When Saul's son Ishbosheth heard that Abner had been killed in Hebron, he was afraid, and all the people of Israel were alarmed.

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

Majority Standard Bible
Now when Ish-bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was dismayed.

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

New Heart English Bible
Now when Ishbaal, Saul's son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was 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 Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the son of Saul hears that Abner [is] dead in Hebron, and his hands are feeble, and all of Israel has been 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.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul's son will hear that Abner died in Hebron, and his hands will be relaxed, and all Israel trembled.
Catholic Translations
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, heard that Abner had fallen in Hebron. And his hands were weakened, and all of Israel was troubled.

New American Bible
When Ishbaal, son of Saul, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, he lost his resolve and all Israel was alarmed.

New Revised Standard Version
When Saul’s son Ishbaal heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
WHEN Ashbashul Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, he trembled, and all Israel was troubled.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Ashbashul, son of Shaul, heard that Abnir was dead in Khebruun, and their hands were paralyzed, and all Israel were troubled
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were affrighted.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jebosthe the son of Saul heard that Abenner the son of Ner had died in Chebron; and his hands were paralyzed, and all the men of Israel grew faint.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Murder of Ish-bosheth
1Now when Ish-bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was dismayed. 2Saul’s son had two men who were leaders of raiding parties. One was named Baanah and the other Rechab; they were sons of Rimmon the Beerothite of the tribe of Benjamin—Beeroth is considered part of Benjamin,…

Cross References
2 Samuel 2:8-11
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim, / and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel. / Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. ...

2 Samuel 3:1
Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2 Samuel 5:1-3
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

1 Samuel 31:1-6
Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. ...

1 Samuel 28:16-19
“Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy? / He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David. / Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today. ...

1 Kings 2:10-12
Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. / The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. / So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his kingdom was firmly established.

1 Chronicles 10:1-6
Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him. ...

1 Chronicles 11:1-3
Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where David made a covenant with them before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

1 Chronicles 12:23-40
Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the LORD: / From Judah: 6,800 armed troops bearing shields and spears. / From Simeon: 7,100 mighty men of valor, ready for battle. ...

Psalm 89:20-29
I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him. / My hand will sustain him; surely My arm will strengthen him. / No enemy will exact tribute; no wicked man will oppress him. ...

Matthew 1:1-6
This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: / Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. / Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. ...

Matthew 22:41-46
While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus questioned them: / “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” “David’s,” they answered. / Jesus said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’? For he says: ...

Luke 1:32-33
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, / and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”

Luke 1:68-70
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. / He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, / as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,

John 7:42
Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Christ will come from the line of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?”


Treasury of Scripture

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

his hands

2 Samuel 17:2
And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:

Ezra 4:4
Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

Nehemiah 6:9
For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

and all

Matthew 2:2,3
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him…

Jump to Previous
Abner Affrighted Courage Dead Died Dismayed Disturbed Enfeebled Failed Feeble Hands Heard Heareth Hebron Ishbosheth Ish-Bosheth Ish-Bo'sheth Israel Israelites Lost News Saul Saul's Troubled
Jump to Next
Abner Affrighted Courage Dead Died Dismayed Disturbed Enfeebled Failed Feeble Hands Heard Heareth Hebron Ishbosheth Ish-Bosheth Ish-Bo'sheth Israel Israelites Lost News Saul Saul's Troubled
2 Samuel 4
1. The Israelites being troubled at the death of Abner
2. Baanah and Rechab slay Ish-Bosheth, and bring his head to Hebron
9. David causes them to be slain, and Ish-Bosheth's head to be buried.














When Ish-bosheth son of Saul
Ish-bosheth, whose name means "man of shame," was the son of King Saul. His original name was Eshbaal, meaning "man of Baal," but it was likely changed to avoid association with the Canaanite god Baal. As Saul's son, Ish-bosheth was a legitimate heir to the throne, yet his reign was marked by weakness and dependency on Abner, Saul's military commander. This highlights the theme of divine sovereignty in leadership, as God had chosen David, not Ish-bosheth, to be king.

heard that Abner had died in Hebron
Abner was a powerful military leader and the primary supporter of Ish-bosheth's claim to the throne. His death in Hebron, a city of refuge and a significant location in David's rise to power, marked a turning point in the struggle for the throne of Israel. The Hebrew root for "heard" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and internalizing the implications of the news. Abner's death left Ish-bosheth vulnerable and exposed the fragility of his kingship.

his courage failed
The phrase "his courage failed" reflects a profound loss of strength and resolve. The Hebrew word used here, רָפָה (raphah), can mean to sink, relax, or become weak. Ish-bosheth's reliance on Abner rather than on God or his own leadership abilities is evident. This moment underscores the biblical principle that true courage and strength come from faith in God, not in human alliances or power.

and all Israel was dismayed
The dismay of Israel signifies a collective fear and uncertainty about the future. The Hebrew word for "dismayed" (נִבְהָל, nibhal) suggests being disturbed or terrified. This reaction reflects the instability and division within the nation during this period. The people of Israel were caught in a power struggle, longing for a leader who would unite them under God's covenant. This sets the stage for David's eventual consolidation of the kingdom, fulfilling God's promise to establish his throne.

IV.

(1) All the Israelites were troubled.--The death of Abner affected both Ish-bosheth and his people. For the former, "his hands were feeble," the whole support and strength of his throne being gone; the latter were "troubled" because they had been carrying on negotiations with David through Abner, and these were now thrown into confusion, and it became uncertain how they might result.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now when [Ish-bosheth] son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Saul
שָׁא֗וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

heard
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע (way·yiš·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Abner
אַבְנֵר֙ (’aḇ·nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

had died
מֵ֤ת (mêṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

in Hebron,
בְּחֶבְר֔וֹן (bə·ḥeḇ·rō·wn)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2275: Hebron -- 'association, league', a city in southern Judah

he lost
וַיִּרְפּ֖וּ (way·yir·pū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7503: Sink, relax

courage,
יָדָ֑יו (yā·ḏāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

was dismayed.
נִבְהָֽלוּ׃ (niḇ·hā·lū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 926: To tremble inwardly, be, alarmed, agitated, to hasten anxiously


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OT History: 2 Samuel 4:1 When Ishbosheth Saul's son heard that Abner (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 3:39
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