2 Sam. 4 Ish-bosheth and his party are astonished at Abner’s death, 2 Sam. 1:7. Two captains murder Ish-bosheth, and bring his head to David, 2 Sam. 4:2–8; who caused them to be put to death, and hanged up; and Ish-bosheth’s head to be buried, 2 Sam. 4:9–12.

His hands were feeble; his spirit, and courage, and strength failed him. This phrase is used in the same sense Ezra 4:1, Neh. 6:9, Isa. 13:7, Isa. 35:3.

Of the children of Benjamin; of Ish-bosheth’s own tribe, whom therefore he trusted the more; and this gave them opportunity to execute their wicked design.

And, or, yet, or but; for this comes in to anticipate an objection against what he had now said. It is true, saith he, the Beerothites fled. as others did, upon the overthrow of Saul and his army, 1 Sam. 31:7, to a place called Gittaim, 2 Sam. 4:3; not that in Benjamin, Neh.

This history is inserted as that which encouraged these men to this wicked murder, because Saul’s family was now reduced to a low ebb; and if Ish-bosheth was dispatched, there would be none left but a lame child, who was altogether unfit to manage the kingdom, especially in so troublesome a time as…

Either from discontent of mind, as Ahab did, 1 Kings 21:4; or from sloth and sensuality, as David seems to have done, 2 Sam. 11:2.

Into the midst of the house, or, into the house; for the midst is not always taken exactly, and mathematically, but for any part within, as Gen. 48:16, Ex. 8:22, Josh. 3:17.

Through the plain, i.e. in the way from Mahanaim to Hebron; which for the most part was a plain country.

Which sought thy life, i.e. to destroy it, or take it away; as this phrase is used, 1 Sam. 20:1, 1 Sam. 23:15, and elsewhere. They thought their action not only blameless, but meritorious; because they had but executed justice upon Saul’s house, and David’s enemies, and made way for David’s…

Who hath hitherto delivered and will deliver me from all mine enemies. So that I needed not your wicked help in this way.

A righteous person; for so he was comparatively, and in respect of these men, having not deserved death at their hands.

His young men; those of his guard, who used to execute justice upon malefactors at the king’s command. Their hands and their feet; which had been most instrumental in this villany; their hands to cut off his head, and their feet to carry them away, and his head with them.