2 Samuel 4:7
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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,

Berean Standard Bible
They had entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed, and having stabbed and killed him, they beheaded him, took his head, and traveled all night by way of the Arabah.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
For when they came into the house, he was lying on his bed in his bedroom; then they struck him and killed him, beheaded him and took his head, and were all night escaping through the plain.

New American Standard Bible
Now when they had come into the house, as he was lying on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and killed him, and they beheaded him. And they took his head and traveled by way of the Arabah all night.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
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.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus they came into the house, as he was lying on his bed in his bedroom, and they struck him and put him to death and beheaded him. And they took his head and went on the way leading to the Arabah all night.

Amplified Bible
Now when they entered the house he was lying on his bed in his bedroom. They [not only] struck and killed him, [but] they also beheaded him. Then they took his head and traveled all night by way of the Arabah.

Christian Standard Bible
They had entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed in his bedroom and stabbed and killed him. They removed his head, took it, and traveled by way of the Arabah all night.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.

American Standard Version
Now when they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night.

English Revised Version
Now when they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(They had come into the house while Ishbosheth was sleeping on his bed in his bedroom. They stabbed him, killed him, and cut off his head.) They took his head and traveled all night along the road to the plains.

Good News Translation
Once inside, they went to Ishbosheth's bedroom, where he was sound asleep, and killed him. Then they cut off his head, took it with them, and walked all night through the Jordan Valley.

International Standard Version
While they were in the house, they struck him, killed him, and cut off his head while he was lying on his bed in his bedroom. They took his head, and traveled all night along the Arabah road.

Majority Standard Bible
They had entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed, and having stabbed and killed him, they beheaded him, took his head, and traveled all night by way of the Arabah.

NET Bible
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.

New Heart English Bible
And they went into the house where he was lying on his bed in his bedchamber. And they struck him and killed him, and beheaded him. And they took his head and went by the way of the Arabah all night.

Webster's Bible Translation
For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bed-chamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went away through the plain all night.

World English Bible
Now when they came into the house as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him, killed him, beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
indeed, they come into the house, and he is lying on his bed, in the inner part of his bed-chamber, and they strike him, and put him to death, and turn his head aside, and they take his head, and go the way of the plain all the night,

Young's Literal Translation
yea, they come in to the house, and he is lying on his bed, in the inner part of his bed-chamber, and they smite him, and put him to death, and turn aside his head, and they take his head, and go the way of the plain all the night,

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will come to the house, and he will lie upon his couch in his bed-chamber, and they will strike him and kill him, and take away his head, and they will take his head and go the way of the sterile region all night.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For when they came into the house, be was sleeping upon his bed in a parlour, and they struck him and killed him: and taking away his head they went off by the way of the wilderness, walking all night.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For when they had entered the house, he was sleeping on his bed in a closed room. And striking him, they killed him. And taking his head, they departed by the way of the desert, walking throughout the night.

New American Bible
and entered the house while Ishbaal was lying asleep in his bedroom. They struck and killed him, and cut off his head. Then, taking the head, they traveled on the Arabah road all night long.

New Revised Standard Version
Now they had come into the house while he was lying on his couch in his bedchamber; they attacked him, killed him, and beheaded him. Then they took his head and traveled by way of the Arabah all night long.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For when they came into the house, he was lying on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him and slew him and beheaded him, and took his head and fled by the way of the plain all night.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they had come to the house and he was asleep on his bed in the bedroom where he slept, and they struck him and killed him and took his head, and they went on the road of Arabah all night
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now when they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bed-chamber, they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Murder of Ish-bosheth
6They entered the interior of the house as if to get some wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and his brother Baanah slipped away. 7They had entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed, and having stabbed and killed him, they beheaded him, took his head, and traveled all night by way of the Arabah. 8They 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 sought your life. Today the LORD has granted vengeance to my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.”…

Cross References
2 Samuel 3:30
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

2 Samuel 1:10
So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”

1 Kings 2:5-6
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.

1 Kings 2:32
The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.

2 Samuel 2:23
But Asahel refused to turn away. So Abner thrust the butt of his spear into his stomach, and it came out his back, and he fell dead on the spot. And every man paused when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.

2 Samuel 20:10
Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

1 Samuel 31:4-5
Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. / When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him.

2 Samuel 1:15-16
Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”

1 Kings 2:25
So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died.

1 Kings 2:34
So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck down Joab, and killed him. He was buried at his own home in the wilderness.

1 Kings 2:46
Then the king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was firmly established in the hand of Solomon.

Matthew 14:8-11
Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” / The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted / and sent to have John beheaded in the prison. ...

Mark 6:27-28
So without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison. / The man brought John’s head on a platter and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.

Acts 12:2
He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.

Matthew 27:35
When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.


Treasury of Scripture

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 got them away through the plain all night.

took his head

1 Samuel 17:54
And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.

1 Samuel 31:9
And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.

2 Kings 10:6,7
Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up…

Jump to Previous
Arabah Attack Bed Bedchamber Bed-Chamber Bedroom Beheaded Cut Cutting Death Gat Head House Inner Ish-Bosheth Killed Lay Night Part Plain Slew Smote Stabbed Stretched Struck Way
Jump to Next
Arabah Attack Bed Bedchamber Bed-Chamber Bedroom Beheaded Cut Cutting Death Gat Head House Inner Ish-Bosheth Killed Lay Night Part Plain Slew Smote Stabbed Stretched Struck Way
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.














They had entered the house
This phrase indicates a premeditated action. The Hebrew root for "entered" (בּוֹא, bo) often implies a deliberate or purposeful movement. In the context of ancient Israel, entering a house uninvited, especially with malicious intent, was a grave violation of hospitality norms. This act sets the stage for the treachery that follows, highlighting the moral decay and political intrigue during the time of King David's rise to power.

while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed
Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, was the king of Israel at this time, albeit a weak and ineffective one. The image of him lying on his bed suggests vulnerability and perhaps a state of complacency or false security. In the Hebrew culture, the bed was a place of rest and safety, making this intrusion all the more heinous. It underscores the betrayal and cowardice of his murderers, who attacked him in his most defenseless state.

in his bedroom
The bedroom, or "inner chamber," was considered a private and secure place. The Hebrew term used here (חֶדֶר, cheder) often denotes an inner room, emphasizing the violation of personal space and trust. This act of violence in such a private setting reflects the deep treachery and the breakdown of societal and familial bonds during this turbulent period in Israel's history.

After they struck and killed him
The phrase "struck and killed" conveys the brutality and finality of the act. The Hebrew verb for "struck" (נָכָה, nakah) is often used in the context of a decisive blow, indicating the murderers' intent to ensure Ish-bosheth's death. This act of murder was not just a political assassination but a direct challenge to the anointed leadership of Israel, further destabilizing the nation.

they beheaded him
Beheading was a common practice in ancient warfare and served as a symbol of complete victory over one's enemies. In this context, it was a gruesome act meant to demonstrate power and instill fear. The removal of the head, the seat of identity and authority, signifies the utter humiliation and defeat of Ish-bosheth, as well as the ruthless ambition of his killers.

took his head
The act of taking the head was not only a trophy of conquest but also a message to others. In the ancient Near East, displaying the head of a defeated enemy was a way to assert dominance and claim legitimacy. This act was intended to curry favor with David, though it ultimately backfired, as David did not condone such treachery.

and traveled all night
Traveling by night suggests urgency and a desire to avoid detection. The Hebrew culture often associated night with danger and evil deeds, as it provided cover for unlawful activities. This nocturnal journey underscores the clandestine and desperate nature of their mission, as they sought to deliver the head to David before dawn.

by way of the Arabah
The Arabah refers to the desert region stretching from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. This route was likely chosen for its directness and the cover it provided. The harsh and desolate landscape of the Arabah serves as a fitting backdrop for the treacherous act, symbolizing the moral and spiritual barrenness of the murderers' hearts. This journey through the wilderness also contrasts with the righteous path that David, a man after God's own heart, was called to walk.

(7) Took his head.--There is no difficulty with the repetition in 2Samuel 4:7 of what has been already mentioned inverse 6, for it is common in the Scripture narratives to repeat statements when any additional fact (as here, the carrying off of the head) is to be mentioned. (See, e.g., 2Samuel 3:22-23, where Joab's arrival is twice mentioned, and 2Samuel 5:1-3, where the mention of the assembly at Hebron is repeated.)

Through the plain.--As in 2Samuel 2:29, the Arabah, or valley of the Jordan, the natural way from Mahanaim to Hebron.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They had entered
וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the house
הַבַּ֗יִת (hab·ba·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

while Ish-bosheth
וְהֽוּא־ (wə·hū-)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was lying
שֹׁכֵ֤ב (šō·ḵêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7901: To lie down

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

his bed,
מִטָּתוֹ֙ (miṭ·ṭā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4296: A bed, for, sleeping, eating, a sofa, litter, bier

and having stabbed
וַיַּכֻּ֙הוּ֙ (way·yak·ku·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

and killed him,
וַיְמִתֻ֔הוּ (way·mi·ṯu·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

they beheaded
וַיָּסִ֖ירוּ (way·yā·sî·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

him,
רֹאשׁ֑וֹ (rō·šōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

took
וַיִּקְחוּ֙ (way·yiq·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3947: To take

his head,
רֹאשׁ֔וֹ (rō·šōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

and traveled
וַיֵּֽלְכ֛וּ (way·yê·lə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

night
הַלָּֽיְלָה׃ (hal·lā·yə·lāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

by way
דֶּ֥רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

of the Arabah.
הָעֲרָבָ֖ה (hā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6160: Arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley running south from the Sea of Galilee


Links
2 Samuel 4:7 NIV
2 Samuel 4:7 NLT
2 Samuel 4:7 ESV
2 Samuel 4:7 NASB
2 Samuel 4:7 KJV

2 Samuel 4:7 BibleApps.com
2 Samuel 4:7 Biblia Paralela
2 Samuel 4:7 Chinese Bible
2 Samuel 4:7 French Bible
2 Samuel 4:7 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Samuel 4:7 Now when they came into the house (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 4:6
Top of Page
Top of Page