King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And they came thither 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They went right into the house, as if they were coming to get wheat, and stabbed him in the groin; then Rekhav and Ba'anah his brother escaped.
Berean Standard Bible:
They 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.
American Standard Version:
And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him in the body: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And they came thither{H935} into the midst{H8432} of the house{H1004}, as though they would have fetched{H3947} wheat{H2406}; and they smote{H5221} him under the fifth{H2570} rib: and Rechab{H7394} and Baanah{H1196} his brother{H251} escaped{H4422}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Samuel 2:23
- Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth [rib], that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, [that] as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
2 Samuel 3:27
- And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth [rib], that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
2 Samuel 20:10
- But Amasa took no heed to the sword that [was] in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth [rib], and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Samuel 4:6
2 Samuel 4:6 recounts a significant event in the tumultuous period of transition between the reigns of King Saul and King David in Israel's history. The verse is part of a narrative describing the assassination of Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, who was made king over Israel by Abner, Saul's cousin and army commander. This act of regicide was carried out by two of Ish-bosheth's own captains, Rechab and Baanah, who were from the tribe of Benjamin, the same tribe as Saul.
The verse captures the treacherous nature of their act; Rechab and Baanah enter Ish-bosheth's house under the pretext of fetching wheat, a mundane and peaceful action that completely masks their true intention. The detail that they struck him under the fifth rib is a graphic depiction of the lethal precision of the murder, indicating that they aimed to kill him swiftly and surely. The mention of their escape following the assassination highlights their premeditated plan to eliminate Ish-bosheth and the immediate aftermath of their violent deed.
The themes present in this verse include betrayal, the brutality of power struggles, and the chaos that can ensue during transitions of leadership. It also reflects the ancient Near Eastern context where such acts of violence were not uncommon in the political arena. The murderers likely believed that by killing Ish-bosheth, they were clearing the way for David to become king over a united Israel, possibly expecting to gain favor or position in the new regime.
Historically, this event is set during the period when David had already been anointed by Samuel and was ruling over Judah in Hebron, while Ish-bosheth ruled over the rest of Israel. The assassination of Ish-bosheth would eventually lead to David's consolidation of power over all of Israel, as narrated in the subsequent chapters of 2 Samuel. The verse underscores the complex dynamics of loyalty, ambition, and the quest for power that characterized this era of Israel's monarchy.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H8432
There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
Transliteration: tâvek
Pronunciation: taw'-vek
Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H2406
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חִטָּה
Transliteration: chiṭṭâh
Pronunciation: khit-taw'
Description: of uncertain derivation; wheat, whether the grain or the plant; wheat(-en). - Strong's Number: H5221
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָכָה
Transliteration: nâkâh
Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. - Strong's Number: H2570
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֹמֶשׁ
Transliteration: chômesh
Pronunciation: kho'-mesh
Description: from an unused root probably meaning, to be stout; the abdomen (as obese); fifth (rib). - Strong's Number: H7394
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֵכָב
Transliteration: Rêkâb
Pronunciation: ray-kawb'
Description: from רָכַב; rider; Rekab, the name of two Arabs and of two Israelites; Rechab. - Strong's Number: H1196
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּעֲנָה
Transliteration: Baʻănâh
Pronunciation: bah-an-aw'
Description: from a derivative of עָנָה with prepositional prefix; in affliction; Baanah, the name of four Israelites; Baanah. - Strong's Number: H251
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָח
Transliteration: ʼâch
Pronunciation: awkh
Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. - Strong's Number: H4422
There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָלַט
Transliteration: mâlaṭ
Pronunciation: maw-lat'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit sparks; deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] surely.