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They brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold, the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; and Yahweh has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.

Verse Takeaways

1

Don't Justify Sin with God's Name

Commentators unanimously point out that the murderers wickedly attributed their crime to God. They claimed, "Jehovah hath avenged my lord the king," but as scholars note, they were "impiously" using God's name to cover their own "basest motives" and curry favor with David. This serves as a stark warning against spiritualizing our sinful actions or claiming divine approval for deeds done out of greed or ambition.

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Book Overview

2 Samuel

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Commentaries

3

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On 2 Samuel 4:8

19th Century

Bishop

The Lord has avenged. —It is not to be supposed that the murderers pretended a Divine commission for their wicked deed; they only …

John Gill

John Gill

On 2 Samuel 4:8

17th Century

Pastor

And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, &c.] Supposing it would have been a very acceptable present…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On 2 Samuel 4:8–12

17th Century

Minister

A person may be glad to obtain his just wishes, and yet genuinely regret the means by which he receives them. He may be sorry for the death of a pe…