CHAP. IV.
ISHBOSHETH hearing of the death of Abner was troubled, and so was * 1.1 all Israel. But there were two Captaines of Bands Rechab and Banaab be∣longing * 1.2 to Ishbosheth, who were of Beroth in Benjamin, but lived hitherto, as Exiles in Gittim, to which place they had fled. They now came into Ishbo∣sheths house when he was sleeping in the heate of the day, and slew him, and * 1.3 cutting off his head carryed it to David. And by the way here is inserted something touching Mephibosheth, how he being 5 yeares old, when Saul and * 1.4 Jonathan his father were slaine, his nurse fled with him, and in fleeing fell with him, whereby he became lame. What the cause of Rechabs and Baanahs fleeing to Gittim was, or when they fled, is not said, but R. Solomon saith, that they * 1.5 tooke part with Mephibosheth, the sonne of Jonathan, as being the sonne of the elder brother, and so one, that had more right to the kingdome, then Ishbo∣sheth Sauls yongest sonne, and when they saw that Ishbosheth was set up by Ab∣ner to be King, they fled, wherefore mention is made together of Mephibosheth, with whom they had taken part. But this seemeth not to be so, because they are said to bee Ishbosheths men, which they were not, seeing according to this relation they never came in unto him, but rather were Mephibosheths men. Others therefore hold, that they were Captaines of Theeves and Robbers, and when Ishbosheth would have punished them therefore, they fled, and continued in Gittim untill this time, and this seemeth most probable, and the Hebr. will beare this reading, Captaines of Robbers, as the Vulgar Latin hath it, seeing the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gedudim here used signifyeh both Armies and Robbers. But why is mention made with all of Mephibosheth, if they were no partakers with him? Some say, that now Abner being dead they came and solicited Mephibo∣sheth to take the kingdome upon him, but he being a good man refused it, and signified it to Ishbosheth, whereupon they fled for the present, but ere long re∣turned and slew Ishbosheth being asleepe. But this agreeth not with the Text, which saith, that they were sojourners in Gittim, till this day, that is, till the newes came of Abners death, so that they did not after this flee thither, but had continued there sometime before, and Mephibosheth was but yet a childe of 12 yeares old. Lyra therefore better saith, that mention is made of Mephibo∣sheth * 1.6 in this place, he being about to tell of the death of Ishbosheth, to shew that now there was none of Sauls house left to be made King against David, seeing Mephibosheth alone was left alive, and he was same of both his feet, and so un∣fit for that high dignity. Gittim, to which Baanah and Rechab fled, was a City of their owne Tribe, Benjamin, Nehem: 11. 33. where they lurked, till this time. But now it is said, that they came to Ishbosheths house as if they would fetch wheat, that is, disguising themselves, as if they had beene Merchants, and came to buy wheat, that they might not bee suspected, for the King happily had a great revenue of wheat, which he sold unto Merchants. The Vulgar Latin hath it, bringing eares of wheat, that is, say Lyra, Comestor, and Hugo, as if they brought some first fruites unto the King to honour him, but Lyra * 1.7 confesseth, that Hebr. it is, they came as though they would fetch or buy