View 2nd Samuel 4 in the note window.
Two of his servants murder Ishbosheth,
and bring his head to David, ver. 1 - 8.
He puts them to death, ver. 9 - 52.
4: Jonathan had a son - This history is inserted as that which
encouraged these men to this wicked murder, because Saul's family was
now reduced to a low ebb; and if Isbosheth was dispatched, there would
be none left, but a lame child, who was altogether unfit to manage the
kingdom, and therefore the crown must necessarily come to David by their
act and deed; for which they promised themselves no small recompense.
Jezreel - The place of that last and fatal fight.
6: Fetched wheat - Which was laid up in publick granaries in the
king's house, and was fetched thence by the captains and commanders of the
army for the pay of their soldiers, who, in those ancient times were not
paid in money, but in corn. Upon this pretence they were admitted into the
house, and so went from room to room, to the place where the king lay.
12: David commanded. &c.But what a disappointment to Baanah
and Rechab, was the sentence which David passed upon them!
And such they will meet with, who think to serve the Son of David, by
cruelty or injustice: who under colour of religion, outrage or murder of
their brethren, think they do God service. However men may now canonize
such methods of serving the church and the catholic cause, Christ will let
them know another day, that Christianity was not designed to destroy
humanity. And they who thus think to merit heaven, shall not escape the
damnation of hell.
