Background:
Baanah and Rechab were the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, who belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. They served as captains in the army of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, who reigned over Israel after Saul's death. The narrative of their actions and subsequent execution is found in 2 Samuel 4.

The Assassination of Ish-bosheth:
Following the death of Abner, the commander of Ish-bosheth's army, the kingdom of Israel was destabilized. Baanah and Rechab saw an opportunity to gain favor with David, who was then king over Judah, by assassinating Ish-bosheth. They entered Ish-bosheth's house during the heat of the day while he was resting on his bed. The two brothers struck him down, killed him, and beheaded him. They then traveled through the night to bring Ish-bosheth's head to David in Hebron, believing that this act would be rewarded.

Presentation to David:
Upon presenting the head of Ish-bosheth to David, Baanah and Rechab declared, "Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, the 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" (2 Samuel 4:8). They expected David to be pleased with their deed, assuming it would secure their position in his favor.

David's Response:
Contrary to their expectations, David was not pleased with the murder of Ish-bosheth. He recalled a previous incident where he had executed the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul, emphasizing his respect for the anointed of the LORD. David responded to Baanah and Rechab, "As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, when someone told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing me good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news!" (2 Samuel 4:9-10).

Execution of Baanah and Rechab:
David condemned the actions of Baanah and Rechab, viewing their assassination of a righteous man in his own house as a heinous crime. He ordered his men to execute the two brothers. "So David commanded his young men, and they killed them, cut off their hands and feet, and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron" (2 Samuel 4:12). This act served as a demonstration of David's commitment to justice and his refusal to condone treachery, even against his rivals.

Theological Implications:
The execution of Baanah and Rechab underscores the biblical principle of justice and the sanctity of God's anointed. David's actions reflect his adherence to divine law and his understanding of righteous leadership. This narrative illustrates the importance of integrity and the rejection of opportunistic violence, even in the pursuit of political power.