Why Do the Assassins Expect David to Reward Them, and What Does This Reveal About Their Misunderstanding of His Character?
The story of the assassination of Ish-bosheth in 2 Samuel 4 presents a dramatic moment in the early history of Israel’s united monarchy. Two men, Rechab and Baanah, murder Ish-bosheth—the son of Saul and the rival king to David—and then bring his head to David expecting praise and reward. Instead of receiving honor, however, they face swift judgment and execution.
This event highlights a deep misunderstanding on the part of the assassins. They believed that eliminating David’s political rival would win them favor, but their expectation revealed that they did not truly understand David’s character, values, or commitment to justice. Examining their motives and David’s response provides powerful insights into leadership, morality, and the principles guiding David’s rule.
The Political Context Behind the Assassination
Before analyzing the assassins’ expectations, it is important to understand the political situation in Israel at that time.
After the death of Saul, the kingdom of Israel was divided:
-
David ruled over the tribe of Judah from Hebron.
-
Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, ruled over the remaining tribes of Israel.
-
The two houses were locked in a long struggle for power.
However, the situation began to shift dramatically when Abner, the commander of Saul’s army and the real power behind Ish-bosheth’s throne, defected to David. Shortly afterward, Abner was murdered by Joab. With Abner gone, Ish-bosheth’s kingdom became unstable and weak.
Sensing opportunity, the two brothers Rechab and Baanah, captains in Ish-bosheth’s army, assassinated the king while he rested in his house. They then carried his head to David, believing they had performed a service that would secure their future.
Why the Assassins Expected a Reward
The assassins’ expectation of reward was based on several assumptions about political power and leadership.
1. They Thought Political Success Justified Violence
Rechab and Baanah believed that eliminating David’s rival would automatically benefit David.
From their perspective:
-
Ish-bosheth’s death removed the final obstacle to David’s kingship.
-
David would gain control of all Israel more quickly.
-
Therefore, David would be grateful for their “help.”
In ancient political struggles, assassination was often used as a tool for gaining favor with a rising leader. The brothers assumed David would think in the same pragmatic way.
2. They Misread David’s Past Actions
The assassins may have assumed David would reward them because he ultimately became king after Saul’s death. However, they ignored an important detail: David never sought Saul’s death.
David had multiple opportunities to kill Saul but refused each time, declaring that Saul was “the Lord’s anointed.”
By ignoring David’s history, the assassins showed that they misunderstood the very principles guiding David’s life.
3. They Framed the Murder as Divine Justice
When presenting Ish-bosheth’s head to David, the assassins attempted to justify their crime spiritually.
They declared that God had given David vengeance against Saul’s house. By framing the murder as an act of divine justice, they hoped to make their actions appear righteous rather than treacherous.
Their reasoning likely followed this pattern:
-
God promised the kingdom to David.
-
Ish-bosheth stood in the way of that promise.
-
Killing him helped fulfill God’s will.
-
Therefore, David should reward them.
However, their logic ignored the difference between God’s plan and human manipulation.
4. They Assumed David Was Driven by Ambition
Another reason the assassins expected reward was their assumption that David desired power above all else.
If David had been purely ambitious, their action would have seemed helpful:
-
They removed a rival king.
-
They delivered proof of the deed.
-
They demonstrated loyalty to David.
In their minds, this act should earn them promotion, wealth, or favor in the new kingdom.
But they completely misunderstood David’s priorities.
David’s Response: Justice Instead of Reward
Instead of praising the assassins, David reacted with anger and moral clarity.
He reminded them of a previous incident involving an Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul. That man expected a reward for helping David become king. Instead, David ordered his execution.
David then declared:
“When wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house on his bed, should I not now demand his blood from your hand?”
Immediately afterward, David ordered the execution of Rechab and Baanah.
This response reveals several key aspects of David’s character.
What the Assassins Failed to Understand About David
1. David Respected God’s Authority
David believed that kings were appointed by God, not by human violence.
Even though Ish-bosheth was his rival, David did not see himself as justified in removing him by assassination. Justice and legitimacy mattered more to him than quick political victory.
2. David Valued Justice Over Personal Gain
The assassins expected David to prioritize political advantage.
Instead, David prioritized justice. Ish-bosheth had been murdered while defenseless in his own home—a clear act of treachery.
By punishing the assassins, David showed that wrongdoing would not be tolerated even if it seemed to benefit him.
3. David Rejected Treachery as a Path to Power
Rechab and Baanah thought betrayal would impress David.
Instead, their betrayal made them dangerous. If they were willing to murder their own king, they could easily betray David as well.
Executing them sent a strong message: David’s kingdom would not be built on treachery.
4. David Sought Moral Legitimacy
David understood that his rule needed moral credibility.
Rewarding assassins would have:
-
Tarnished his reputation.
-
Created fear and distrust among the tribes of Israel.
-
Suggested he approved of political murder.
By condemning the crime, David strengthened his legitimacy as a righteous leader.
Lessons About Leadership and Character
The story highlights timeless lessons about leadership and moral integrity.
Key leadership lessons include:
-
Integrity matters more than advantage.
-
Justice must apply even when wrongdoing appears beneficial.
-
True leadership rejects unethical shortcuts.
-
Character is revealed through difficult decisions.
David’s actions demonstrated that the kingdom he would eventually rule was not to be built through violence and betrayal but through trust, justice, and obedience to God.
The Broader Biblical Message
This episode fits into a larger theme throughout the books of Samuel: God’s kingdom advances according to divine timing, not human manipulation.
Several times individuals attempted to force events through violence:
-
Saul tried to eliminate David.
-
Joab murdered Abner.
-
The Amalekite claimed to kill Saul.
-
Rechab and Baanah murdered Ish-bosheth.
In each case, David rejected these acts as illegitimate paths to power.
His consistent response demonstrates a deep trust that God would fulfill His promises without the need for treachery.
Conclusion
Rechab and Baanah expected David to reward them because they believed that eliminating his rival would guarantee his gratitude. Their reasoning was shaped by political ambition, opportunism, and a misunderstanding of how power usually worked in ancient kingdoms.
However, their expectations revealed a profound misunderstanding of David’s character. David was not driven primarily by ambition but by a commitment to justice, reverence for God’s authority, and a desire to rule with integrity.
By executing the assassins instead of rewarding them, David demonstrated that his kingdom would not be built on betrayal and violence. His response reinforced his reputation as a leader who valued righteousness above personal gain and who trusted God to establish his rule in the proper time
How does Ish-bosheth’s assassination further expose the collapse of Saul’s house?