Bible Strands
2 Samuel 4:9
But David answered Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David speaks to Rechab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, at Hebron immediately after they deliver Ish-bosheth’s severed head. He addresses them before delivering his verdict on their act of regicide.
The words — וַיַּעַן (va.ya'an) translates literally as "and he answered," marking David’s direct verbal response to the assassins. בְּנֵי (be.nei) means "sons of," anchoring the men to their father Rimmon rather than their own deeds.
The thread — David’s oath formula appears in 1 Kings 1:29, while the phrase "redeemed my life from all distress" parallels Genesis 48:16 and Psalm 34:6. These passages collectively trace a scriptural pattern of invoking Yahweh as the exclusive deliverer from calamity.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge that David invokes God's authority to condemn, not endorse, the assassination. It demands submission to the principle that divine justice cannot be manufactured by human violence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the Lord liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
Cross-references
- Genesis 48:16 the angel who has redeemed me from all harm—may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.”
- 1 Kings 1:29 And the king swore an oath, saying, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress,
- Psalms 34:6 This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.
- Psalms 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy
- Psalms 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.
- Psalms 103:4 who redeems your life from the Pit and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion,
- Psalms 31:5 Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.
- Psalms 34:22 The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
- Psalms 71:23 When I sing praise to You my lips will shout for joy, along with my soul, which You have redeemed.
- Psalms 106:10 He saved them from the hand that hated them; He redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.