The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

2 Samuel 4

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Nevi'im — the Prophets

2 Samuel chapter 4 — part of the Nevi'im — the Prophets in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were affrighted.” — the complete text of all 12 verses is below, free to read online.

1And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were affrighted.

2And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands; the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin; for Beeroth also is reckoned to Benjamin;

3and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have been sojourners there until this day.

4Now Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled; and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

5And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, as he took his rest at noon.

6And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him in the groin; and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.

7Now when they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bed-chamber, they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night.

8And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king: 'Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, who sought thy life; and HaShem hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.'

9And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them: 'As HaShem liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

10when one told me, saying: Behold, Saul is dead, and he was in his own eyes as though he brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, instead of giving a reward for his tidings.

11How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed, shall I not now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?'

12And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron.

12 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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