When Ishbosheth learned that Abner was dead, his hands became feeble. Two of his own captains murdered him in his bed at noon and carried his head to David expecting a reward. David executed them both.

Full sung version coming soon.

Lyrics

When Ishbosheth Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron His hands became feeble and all the Israelites were troubled Ishbosheth 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 the Beerothite of the children of Benjamin For Beeroth also was counted to Benjamin

And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been sojourners there Until this day Now Jonathan the son of Saul had a son who was lame of his feet

He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan From Jezreel and his nurse took him up and fled And as she made haste to flee it happened that he fell And became lame and his name was Mephibosheth

Baanah and Rechab the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite Went and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth As he lay on his bed at noon

They came into the midst of the house as though they would have fetched wheat And they smote him under the fifth rib And Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped

For when they came into the house he was lying on his bed In his bedchamber and they smote him and killed him And beheaded him and took his head And went by the way of the Arabah all night

They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron And said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul Your enemy who sought your life

The LORD has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul And of his seed But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother

As the LORD lives who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity He that told me saying, Behold, Saul is dead Thought he brought good tidings and I took hold of him and slew him

Listen

2 Samuel 4 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.

Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press