When Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
Parallel translations
- KJV And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
- BSB Now when Ish-bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was dismayed.
- NKJV When Saul’s son heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost heart, and all Israel was troubled.
- NASB Now when Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, heard that Abner had died in Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was horrified.
- NLT When Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, heard about Abner’s death at Hebron, he lost all courage, and all Israel became paralyzed with fear.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When Ishbosheth learns of Abner's death, he loses heart and all Israel is alarmed. The collapse of Saul's house accelerates.
Overview
News of Abner's murder leaves Ishbosheth's hands feeble, for Abner had been the real strength behind his throne. With its champion gone, Saul's faltering dynasty is thrown into disarray and fear spreads through Israel. The verse marks the rapid unraveling of the rival kingdom, clearing the way for David's God-appointed rule.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Ezra 4:4Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building.
- Isa 13:7Therefore all hands will be feeble, and everyone’s heart will melt.
- Jer 6:24We have heard its report; our hands become feeble: anguish has taken hold of us, and pains as of a woman in labor.
- 2 Sam 17:2I will come on him while he is weary and exhausted, and will make him afraid. All the people who are with him will flee. I will strike the king only,
- Neh 6:9For they all would have made us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done.” But now, strengthen my hands.
- Isa 35:3Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
- Zeph 3:16In that day, it will be said to Jerusalem, “Don’t be afraid, Zion. Don’t let your hands be weak.”
- Matt 2:2–3“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
- Jer 50:43The king of Babylon has heard the news of them, and his hands become feeble: anguish has taken hold of him, pains as of a woman in labor.
- 2 Sam 3:27When Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 4:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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