2 Samuel 4:1

ยถ And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

And when Saul's {H7586} son {H1121} heard {H8085} that Abner {H74} was dead {H4191} in Hebron {H2275}, his hands {H3027} were feeble {H7503}, and all the Israelites {H3478} were troubled {H926}.

When Ish-Boshet the son of Sha'ul heard that Avner had died in Hevron, his courage failed; and all Isra'el became alarmed.

Now when Ish-bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was dismayed.

And whenIsh-bosheth, Saulโ€™s son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

Commentary

2 Samuel 4:1 marks a pivotal moment in the transition of power in ancient Israel, highlighting the immediate aftermath of a significant assassination.

Context

This verse opens with the reaction to the death of Abner, commander of Saul's army and the primary figure supporting Saul's son, Ish-bosheth (also known as Ishbaal), as king over the northern tribes of Israel. At this time, the kingdom was divided: David reigned in Hebron over Judah, while Ish-bosheth, a weaker leader, nominally ruled the rest of Israel from Mahanaim, relying heavily on Abner's military and political prowess. Abner's death, which occurred in Hebron at the hands of Joab (David's commander, in revenge for his brother Asahel), effectively removed the last strong pillar of Saul's house. The news of Abner's demise sent shockwaves through the remaining supporters of Saul's dynasty.

Key Themes

  • Political Instability and Power Vacuum: Abner's death created an immediate leadership void. Ish-bosheth, already a weak ruler, lost his chief enforcer and strategist, leaving Saul's house vulnerable.
  • Fear and Despair: The phrase "his hands were feeble" vividly portrays Ish-bosheth's complete loss of courage and ability to act. This despair was mirrored by "all the Israelites," who were "troubled," indicating widespread anxiety, dismay, and a sense of impending doom for their political future.
  • Consequences of Violence: Abner's murder, though an act of revenge, had profound political repercussions, accelerating the collapse of the northern kingdom's resistance to David's rule.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "his hands were feeble" (Hebrew: ืจึธืคื•ึผ ื™ึธื“ึธื™ื•, rafu yadav) is an idiom signifying a loss of strength, courage, or resolve. It implies a complete paralysis of action due to fear or despair, contrasting with a leader's expected strength and decisiveness.
  • The word "troubled" (Hebrew: ื ึดื‘ึฐื”ึฒืœื•ึผ, nivhalu) conveys a sense of being agitated, dismayed, or thrown into confusion. It highlights the collective panic and uncertainty among the Israelites who had supported Saul's house.

Significance and Application

This verse marks a critical turning point in the biblical narrative, signaling the imminent end of Saul's dynasty and paving the way for the unification of Israel under King David. It illustrates how the loss of key leadership can lead to widespread panic and collapse, especially when the existing structure is already fragile. For us today, it serves as a reminder of:

  • The Impact of Leadership: Good or bad, leadership profoundly affects the stability and morale of a people or organization.
  • Human Reaction to Crisis: Fear and despair are natural human responses to sudden, destabilizing events, especially when security is threatened.
  • Divine Providence: From a theological perspective, this event, though tragic, was part of God's larger plan to establish David's kingdom, demonstrating how even human actions and political turmoil can serve His purposes.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezra 4:4

    Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

  • Isaiah 13:7

    Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:

  • Jeremiah 6:24

    We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, [and] pain, as of a woman in travail.

  • Jeremiah 50:43

    The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail.

  • Nehemiah 6:9

    For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, [O God], strengthen my hands.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 2:2

    Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
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