2 Samuel

2 Samuel 4: The LORD rescued David

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the death of Ish-bosheth, let us come to the LORD together. Ask Him to show us that He rescued David out of every trouble, and that Ish-bosheth’s strength failed.

Redeem Israel, God, out all of his troubles.

Psalm 25:22

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You rescued David out of every trouble, and that Ish-bosheth’s strength failed when Abner died. Help us to trust You when wicked people hurt others. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

When Ish-bosheth hears that Abner is dead, his courage fails, and all Israel is troubled. Two captains of raiding bands from Benjamin, Rechab and Baanah, go into his house at noon and kill him as he rests. They carry the news to David at Hebron and expect a reward. David answers that the LORD has redeemed his soul out of all adversity. He reminds them that he put to death the man who claimed to have killed Saul. He orders the murderers killed, and Ish-bosheth is buried in Abner’s grave at Hebron.

As you read 2 Samuel 4, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD rescued David out of every trouble, but Ish-bosheth’s strength failed when Abner died.

Ish-bosheth was king only because Abner had made him king, so he leaned on Abner (verse 1). When Abner died, his hands became feeble and all Israel was troubled. Rechab and Baanah were captains of raiding bands, and they went into his house at noon (verses 2 and 5). They killed him as he rested, and they brought the news to David, expecting a reward (verses 6 to 10). David swears by the LORD, who has redeemed his soul out of all adversity (verse 9). He reminds them of the man who claimed to have killed Saul (verse 10). He has these two killers put to death for killing a righteous man (verses 11 and 12). The chapter sets a king whose strength failed beside a king the LORD rescued. Jesus gave Himself to redeem His people from all sin (Titus 2 verse 14).

How does 2 Samuel 4 show us that the LORD rescued David out of every trouble, but Ish-bosheth’s strength failed when Abner died?

Ish-bosheth loses his courage when Abner dies.

Ish-bosheth depended on Abner, and when Abner died, his hands became feeble (verse 1). All Israel was troubled by the news of Abner’s death. A man who leans on another man’s strength will be shaken when that strength is gone.

Two men kill Saul’s son, hoping for a reward.

Rechab and Baanah are captains of raiding bands from Benjamin (verse 2). They come into the house at noon, as the king rests, and they strike him (verses 5 to 7). They carry the news to David and expect a reward for it (verses 8 and 10). David calls Ish-bosheth a righteous man killed on his bed (verse 11).

The LORD rescued David, and Jesus redeems His people from all sin.

David had known many troubles, and he says the LORD has redeemed his soul out of all of them (verse 9). He calls the killing of a righteous man wicked, and he orders the murderers killed (verses 11 and 12). Jesus gave Himself to redeem His people from all sin (Titus 2 verse 14).

Memorise

When Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

2 Samuel 4:1

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, whom do I depend on to rescue me from trouble?

Ish-bosheth lay resting at noon, and wicked men came in and killed him. David said the LORD had redeemed his soul out of all adversity. Jesus came to redeem His people from a worse trouble, which is sin.

Jesus gave His life on the cross as a ransom for His people, and the ransom was paid in full. Then He was buried. God raised Jesus from the dead, and death could not hold Him.

So come to Him, and repent of your sin. Trust Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him finds forgiveness, and He holds them safe.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD rescued David out of every trouble, and that Ish-bosheth’s strength failed. Parents, you may want to explain verses 5 to 7 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He rescued David out of every trouble, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

You will keep them, Yahweh. You will preserve them from this generation forever.

Psalm 12:7

Lord God, thank You that You rescued David out of every trouble, and that Jesus gave Himself to redeem His people from sin. Help each person here turn from sin and trust Jesus. Help us to rest in Your care this week, and bring our heart question to You. Amen.