2 Samuel 4:3

KJV

And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)

KJV (with Strong's)

And the Beerothites {H886} fled {H1272} to Gittaim {H1664}, and were sojourners {H1481} there until this day {H3117}.)

Complete Jewish Bible

even though the Be'erotim fled to Gittayim and have lived as foreigners there to this day).

Berean Standard Bible

because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have lived there as foreigners to this day.

American Standard Version

and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have been sojourners there until this day).

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The verse 2 Samuel 4:3 serves as a crucial parenthetical note within the narrative of Ish-bosheth's assassination, providing vital historical context for the state of Beeroth. It explains that the inhabitants of Beeroth, known as Beerothites, had been forced to flee their city and resettle as permanent sojourners in Gittaim, a situation that persisted "until this day." This detail clarifies why Beeroth may have been uninhabited or easily traversable by Ish-bosheth's assassins, Rechab and Baanah, subtly linking the immediate events to the long-term consequences of King Saul's past actions against the Gibeonites.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This brief, parenthetical statement in [2 Samuel 4:3](/2_samuel/4-3 "2 Samuel 4:3 - The Beerothites Flee") is strategically placed immediately after the mention of Ish-bosheth's vulnerability and before the detailed account of his assassination by Rechab and Baanah. The preceding verses [2 Samuel 4:1-2](/2_samuel/4-1 "2 Samuel 4:1-2 - Ish-bosheth's Despair") describe Ish-bosheth's despair and the general disarray in Israel following Abner's death, setting the stage for the collapse of Saul's house. The parenthetical note about Beeroth provides background information, explaining a geographical or demographic detail pertinent to the assassins' movements or the general instability of the region. It hints at the desolation of Beeroth, making it plausible for the assassins to pass through or originate from a place where their movements would go unnoticed, thereby contributing to the narrative's verisimilitude.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Beerothites were one of the four cities of the Gibeonites, a people who had secured a covenant with Joshua and the Israelites during the conquest [Joshua 9:15](/joshua/9-15 "Joshua 9:15 - The Gibeonite Covenant"). Centuries later, King Saul, in his misguided zeal, had attempted to exterminate the Gibeonites, violating this ancient and sacred oath [2 Samuel 21:1-2](/2_samuel/21-1 "2 Samuel 21:1-2 - Saul's Sin Against the Gibeonites"). The flight of the Beerothites to Gittaim was a direct and tragic consequence of Saul's aggression, illustrating the long-lasting repercussions of a king's sin. Gittaim was a Benjaminite city, likely offering a degree of refuge to these displaced people, who then lived there as "sojourners" (גֵּרִים, _gerim_), a status denoting resident aliens with limited rights but a recognized, albeit dependent, place within the community. This situation persisted "until this day," indicating that the displacement was a well-known historical fact at the time the book of Samuel was compiled.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Samuel 4:3](/2_samuel/4-3 "2 Samuel 4:3 - Displacement and Instability") contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Samuel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Displacement and Instability**, highlighting the human cost of political upheaval and the fragility of life during a period of transition from Saul's fragmented kingdom to David's unified reign. Secondly, it subtly reinforces the theme of the **Consequences of Sin**, particularly the long-term repercussions of Saul's covenant-breaking actions against the Gibeonites, which continued to affect his house and the land even after his death, as seen later in [2 Samuel 21](/2_samuel/21 "2 Samuel 21 - Famine and Gibeonite Justice"). Finally, the phrase "until this day" emphasizes the **Historical Veracity** and enduring impact of these events, serving as an editorial note that authenticates the historical account for the original audience, grounding the narrative in tangible, verifiable facts of their present reality.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fled (נוּס, _nus'_):** This verb denotes a rapid, urgent departure, often driven by fear or danger. It emphasizes the involuntary nature of the Beerothites' relocation, underscoring that they were not merely migrating but were forced from their homes due to hostile circumstances, likely Saul's persecution.
* **sojourners (גֵּרִים, _gerim'_):** This term describes resident aliens or foreigners living among a native population. Unlike temporary visitors, _gerim_ had a more permanent, though non-native, status, often dependent on the hospitality and laws of their host community. Their status in Gittaim signifies their complete displacement and integration into a new, albeit secondary, societal role, highlighting their vulnerability and lack of ancestral land.
* **until this day (עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, _'ad hayyom hazzeh'_):** A common biblical editorial phrase used to affirm the continued existence or state of a place, custom, or situation at the time the narrative was written or compiled. It authenticates the historical account, indicating that the Beerothites' displacement to Gittaim was a known and enduring fact for the original readership, lending credibility and immediacy to the historical record.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim":** This clause reveals the forced relocation of the inhabitants of Beeroth. Their flight was not a voluntary migration but a desperate escape, likely from the persecution initiated by King Saul against the Gibeonites. The destination, Gittaim, a city in Benjamin, suggests they sought refuge within a neighboring tribal territory, possibly due to existing familial or political ties, or simply as the nearest available sanctuary from Saul's wrath. This detail explains the desolation of Beeroth at the time of Ish-bosheth's assassination.
* **"and were sojourners there":** This phrase describes the permanent status of the Beerothites in Gittaim. They did not return to Beeroth but established themselves as resident aliens (_gerim_) in their new home. This signifies a profound and lasting displacement, indicating that their original city remained uninhabited or sparsely populated by its original inhabitants, a crucial piece of information for understanding the assassins' ease of movement. Their status as "sojourners" also highlights their vulnerability and dependence within the host community.
* **"until this day.)":** This parenthetical note, an editorial comment from the narrator, confirms that the situation described—the Beerothites residing as sojourners in Gittaim—persisted up to the time the book of Samuel was being written or compiled. It serves to authenticate the historical account for the contemporary audience, emphasizing the enduring impact of past events and the long-term consequences of Saul's actions. The closing parenthesis indicates the end of this explanatory insertion, allowing the narrative to resume its main thread.

#### Literary Devices
The verse [2 Samuel 4:3](/2_samuel/4-3 "2 Samuel 4:3 - A Parenthetical Historical Note") primarily employs **Parenthesis** and acts as an **Editorial Gloss** or **Historical Note**. The entire verse is enclosed within a conceptual parenthesis, serving as an interjection that provides crucial background information. It pauses the main narrative flow concerning Ish-bosheth's assassination to offer an explanation for the state of Beeroth, a detail that is implicitly relevant to the assassins' movements. This functions as an **Explanatory Device**, clarifying a point that might otherwise puzzle the reader or seem incongruous. The phrase "until this day" is a classic example of an **Anachronistic Marker** or **Authenticating Formula**, a common biblical idiom that grounds the historical account in the contemporary reality of the narrator's audience, lending credibility and a sense of enduring truth to the events described. This subtle technique allows the narrative to maintain focus while providing necessary context, demonstrating the sophisticated literary craftsmanship of the biblical authors.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The seemingly minor detail in [2 Samuel 4:3](/2_samuel/4-3 "2 Samuel 4:3 - The Ripple Effect of Sin") carries significant theological weight, illustrating the far-reaching and often intergenerational consequences of sin, particularly the sin of leadership. Saul's violation of the ancient covenant with the Gibeonites, an act of unrighteous zeal, resulted in the enduring displacement and suffering of the Beerothites. This highlights God's justice, which, though sometimes delayed, ultimately brings about the consequences of broken covenants and unfaithfulness. It also underscores the biblical theme of the plight of the sojourner and the vulnerable, reminding us of God's special concern for those who are displaced and marginalized. The instability and fear depicted in this verse serve as a microcosm of the chaos that ensues when divine commands and sacred oaths are disregarded, ultimately contributing to the downfall of Saul's house.

* [Joshua 9:15](/joshua/9-15 "The Covenant with Gibeon")
* [2 Samuel 21:1-2](/2_samuel/21-1 "Saul's Sin and Its Consequences")
* [Deuteronomy 10:18-19](/deuteronomy/10-18 "God's Love for the Sojourner")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The brief, parenthetical note in [2 Samuel 4:3](/2_samuel/4-3 "2 Samuel 4:3 - Enduring Impact of Choices") offers profound lessons for contemporary reflection. It reminds us that even seemingly small or past actions, especially those of leaders, can have long-lasting and widespread repercussions, affecting generations and entire communities. The displacement of the Beerothites serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of political instability, injustice, and broken promises. It challenges us to consider our own roles in upholding justice, honoring commitments, and caring for the vulnerable and displaced in our societies. Furthermore, the concept of "sojourners" resonates with the Christian understanding of believers as temporary residents in this world, whose ultimate citizenship is in heaven. This perspective encourages us to hold lightly to earthly securities and to invest in eternal realities, recognizing that our true home is not here, but with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do the actions of past leaders, both good and bad, continue to impact our communities or nations today?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, contribute to the displacement or marginalization of others, even unintentionally?**
* **What does it mean to live as a "sojourner" in the modern world, and how should this understanding shape our priorities and actions?**
* **How can we advocate for and support those who are displaced, vulnerable, or seeking refuge in our own contexts?**

### FAQ
**Why is this verse included as a parenthetical note in the narrative of Ish-bosheth's assassination?**

Answer: This verse is included as a parenthetical note to provide crucial background information that clarifies the circumstances surrounding Ish-bosheth's assassination. By explaining that the Beerothites had fled their city and were sojourners in Gittaim, the narrator accounts for the likely desolation or diminished population of Beeroth. This detail helps the reader understand how Rechab and Baanah, Ish-bosheth's assassins, could have approached his residence from Beeroth, or passed through the area, with relative ease and without attracting attention, as implied by the narrative in [2 Samuel 4:5-7](/2_samuel/4-5 "2 Samuel 4:5-7 - The Assassination of Ish-bosheth"). It ensures the historical plausibility of the events described, connecting the immediate narrative to the broader historical consequences of Saul's actions against the Gibeonites.

**What was the significance of the Beerothites being "sojourners" in Gittaim?**

Answer: The term "sojourners" (גֵּרִים, _gerim_) indicates that the Beerothites were not merely temporary visitors but had established a permanent, albeit non-native, residence in Gittaim. This status highlights their complete displacement from their ancestral land and their integration into a new community where they likely held a subordinate position, dependent on the hospitality and laws of their hosts. Their status as sojourners underscores the severity and lasting impact of Saul's persecution, demonstrating that they were unable to return to Beeroth. It also subtly reinforces the vulnerability of those without their own land or full citizenship, a theme often addressed in the Old Testament, where God commands Israel to care for the sojourner [Deuteronomy 10:18-19](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18-19 - God's Command to Care for Sojourners").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [2 Samuel 4:3](/2_samuel/4-3 "2 Samuel 4:3 - The Plight of the Sojourner") describes the tragic displacement of a people due to human sin and broken covenants, it subtly points forward to the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ. The Beerothites' status as "sojourners" resonates deeply with the New Testament understanding of believers as spiritual sojourners and exiles in this world, whose true citizenship is in heaven [Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Citizenship is in Heaven"); [1 Peter 2:11](/1_peter/2-11 "1 Peter 2:11 - Sojourners and Exiles"). Jesus Himself came as a sojourner, having "nowhere to lay his head" [Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - Jesus Has Nowhere to Lay His Head"), identifying with the displaced and marginalized. Unlike the broken covenants of the Old Testament that led to suffering, Christ established a New Covenant in His blood, offering permanent refuge and an eternal home to all who believe [Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The Superiority of the New Covenant"). Through Him, those who were once alienated and without hope are brought near and made fellow citizens with the saints, members of God's household [Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints"), no longer sojourners in a spiritual sense, but heirs of an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for them [1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - An Inheritance Kept in Heaven").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 11:33

Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,

1 Samuel 31:7

And when the men of Israel that [were] on the other side of the valley, and [they] that [were] on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.