2 Samuel 4:1

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע heard H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 1 of 12
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בֶּן son H1121
בֶּן son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 2 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שָׁא֗וּל And when Saul's H7586
שָׁא֗וּל And when Saul's
Strong's: H7586
Word #: 3 of 12
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 4 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֵ֤ת was dead H4191
מֵ֤ת was dead
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 5 of 12
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אַבְנֵר֙ that Abner H74
אַבְנֵר֙ that Abner
Strong's: H74
Word #: 6 of 12
abner, an israelite
בְּחֶבְר֔וֹן in Hebron H2275
בְּחֶבְר֔וֹן in Hebron
Strong's: H2275
Word #: 7 of 12
chebron, the name of two israelites
וַיִּרְפּ֖וּ were feeble H7503
וַיִּרְפּ֖וּ were feeble
Strong's: H7503
Word #: 8 of 12
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
יָדָ֑יו his hands H3027
יָדָ֑יו his hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 9 of 12
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל and all the Israelites H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל and all the Israelites
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 11 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
נִבְהָֽלוּ׃ were troubled H926
נִבְהָֽלוּ׃ were troubled
Strong's: H926
Word #: 12 of 12
to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously

Analysis & Commentary

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

This verse contributes to the narrative of Ish-bosheth Murdered, emphasizing righteous vs unrighteous means. The assassination of Ish-bosheth and David's execution of the murderers demonstrates crucial distinctions between godly and ungodly means. While the result (removing Saul's dynasty) aligned with God's purposes, the method (treacherous murder) violated divine standards. Hebrew concepts of justice (mishpat, מִשְׁפָּט) and righteousness (tsedeq, צֶדֶק) permeate David's response.

Historical Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 4 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding righteous vs unrighteous means provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

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