2 Samuel 4:1

Now when Ish-bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was dismayed.

2 Saul’s son had two men who were leaders of raiding parties. One was named Baanah and the other Rechab; they were sons of Rimmon the Beerothite of the tribe of Benjamin—Beeroth is considered part of Benjamin,

3 because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have lived there as foreigners to this day.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Now when Ish-bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was dismayed.
KJV
And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
WEB
When Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
ASV
And when [Ish-bosheth], Saul`s son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
DARBY
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were enfeebled, and all Israel was troubled.
BLB
And the son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, and his hands failed, and all Israel was troubled.
ÅB
Da Sauls sønn hørte at Abner var død i Hebron, falt han rent sammen, og hele Israel ble forferdet.
OTB
Da Ishbosjet, Sauls sønn, hørte at Abner var død i Hebron, mistet han motet, og hele Israel ble urolig.
B1930
Da Sauls sønn hørte at Abner var død i Hebron, falt han rent sammen, og hele Israel blev forferdet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ezra 4:4

    Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 13:7

    Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 6:24

    We have heard the report; our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 17:2

    I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 35:3

    Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees!

    Read in context
  • Matthew 2:2–3

    asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 3:27

    When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

    Read in context
  • Zephaniah 3:16

    On that day they will say to Jerusalem: “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands fall limp.

    Read in context