College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
2 Samuel 4 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 4
Mephibosheth introduced. David had made a covenant with Jonathan that he would not destroy his descendants. In this passage of scripture we are introduced to one heir of Jonathan. He has sometimes been called the little lame prince. The reader of the scripture is informed as to the manner in which he became lame and the man is properly introduced.
Ish-bosheth slain. Two wicked servants of Ish-bosheth's thought they would do David a favor by killing Ish-bosheth. They beheaded him and brought his head to David in Hebron. David reminded them of the punishment he had meted out to the man who said he had slain Saul. He could treat them in no better way. Their hands and feet were cut off and they were hanged up over the pool at Hebron as an object lesson to any others who might commit such crimes.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Men are of more value than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31). Mephibosheth does not seem very important to us. He did have some later connection with David. We are impressed with the fact that he was important enough for his name to be mentioned in the sacred scriptures. He was a descendant of an honorable man and his associations with David are worthy of note. All of us count in the sight of God regardless of whether we seem important to men or not.
2.
The principle is more important than the policy. David was a man of principle. He slew the man who said he had killed Saul, and he killed the men who said they had beheaded Ish-bosheth. God's people should always be fair in their judgment and act on principle and not on shifty policy.
CHAPTER 4 IN REVIEW
1.
What two men killed Ish-bosheth?
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2.
Of what tribe were the men?
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3.
What was the name of their native village?
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4.
What grandson of Saul was still living?
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5.
Whose son was he?
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6.
How old was he when his father died?
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7.
In whose care was he when he was crippled?
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8.
What caused him to be crippled?
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9.
Where was Ish-bosheth's head buried?
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10.
What punishment did David mete out to Ish-botheth's murderers?
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