Ishbosheth, who was king over Israel, was killed by his two servants while he lay in his bed at noon. They must have thought that if they killed him, they might be favored in the eyes of David when he took over the entire kingdom. At this time, he was only king over Judah. They had cut off Ishbosheth's head and presented it to David. His reaction was not what they expected. He chastised them for killing a righteous man in his own home where he should have felt safe. David struck them down, then cut off their hands and feet, displaying them for all to see. Ishbosheth's head was put in Abner's tomb. David didn't want to come into the entire kingdom by ill-gotten gains; he wanted it to come by the hand of God. However, we know that God will use evil intentions for our own good, which may have been what happened in this case. Now, there was only one heir of Saul left, and that was Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth, who was injured at five years old when his nurse fell with him, breaking his feet while trying to take him into hiding after Saul and Jonathan were killed.
We must be careful of our good intentions and avoid crossing the line into sin. What we think should give us a reward could cause us calamity. Listen carefully to the Holy Spirit and proceed cautiously in all your endeavors.
How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? 2 Samuel 4:11
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