Day 123: The Death of Ish-bosheth (2025)
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Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz, and you're listening to the Bible in a Year podcast, where we encounter God's voice and live life through the lens of Scripture. The Bible in a Year podcast is brought to you by Ascension. Using the Great Adventure Bible Timeline, we'll read all the way from Genesis to Revelation, discovering how the story of salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story today. It is day 123. It is day 1, 2, 3. We are reading from 2 Samuel chapter 4. We're also reading two chapters out of 1 Chronicles chapters 5 and 6. We're also praying Psalm 26. As always, I am reading...

from the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition. And I'm using the Great Adventure Bible from Ascension. If you want to download your own Bible in a Year reading plan, you can visit ascensionpress.com slash Bible in a Year. You can also subscribe to this podcast by clicking on Subscribe. Then you would be subscribed. And when everyone does that, I will no longer say that when you get this thing at the beginning of every single day, but 123 days, my goodness, you guys, I'm so proud of you.

Keep going. Also, also, also, chapter 4 is relatively short in 2 Samuel. And there are some names. Not as many names as in chapters 5 and 6 of 1 Chronicles. But the name is Ish-bosheth, right? Or Ish-bosheth. I've kind of fully committed to Ish-bosheth. And so, I apologize if you're annoyed and you're reading your Bible and you say, it says Ish-bosheth.

And I would say, you're probably right, but I'm committed to a Shabbos Sheth. And so it's also fun to say, just try it, try it at home, try it in your car as you're driving. It is a gift to be able to be here again. Second Samuel chapter four, first Chronicles chapter five and six and Psalm 26. Second Samuel chapter four, a Shabbos Sheth is assassinated.

When Eshbosheth, Saul's son, heard that Abner had died in Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed. Now Saul's son had two men who were captains of raiding bands. The name of the one was Baana, and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Ramon, a man of Benjamin from Beiroth. For Beiroth also is reckoned to Benjamin. The Beirothites fled to Getaim and have been sojourners there to this day.

jonathan the son of saul had a son who was crippled in his feet he was five years old when the news about saul and jonathan came from jezreel and his nurse took him up and fled and as she fled in her haste he fell and became lame and his name was mephibosheth now the sons of ramon the beirothite rechab and baana set out and about the heat of the day they came to the house of eshibosheth as he was taking his noonday rest

And behold, the doorkeeper of the house had been cleaning wheat, but she grew drowsy and slept, so Rahab and Ba'ana his brother slipped in.

When they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, they struck him, and slew him, and beheaded him. They took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night, and brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron. And they said to the king, Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul your enemy, who sought your life. The Lord has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring.

But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Ramon the Beirithite, As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity, when one told me, Behold, Saul is dead, and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and slew him at Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous man in his own house upon his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth?

And David commanded his young men, and they killed them, and cut off their hands and feet, and hanged them beside the pool at Hebron. But they took the head of Eshbosheth, and buried it in the tomb of Abner at Hebron. 1 Chronicles chapter 5 Descendants of Reuben

The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, for he was the firstborn, but because he polluted his father's couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. Though Judah became strong among his brothers and a prince was from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph. The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, Hanak, Palu, Hezron, and Carmi.

The sons of Joel, Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shemiah his son, Micah his son, Reiah his son, Baal his son, Be'erah his son, whom Tilgath Pilnasser, king of Assyria, carried away into exile, he was a chieftain of the Reubenites, and his kinsmen by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, the chief, Jeiel, and the

and Zechariah, and Bila the son of Azaz, son of Shema, son of Joel, who dwelt in Eroer, as far as Nebo and Baal-Meon. He also dwelt to the east as far as the entrance of the desert this side of the Euphrates, because their cattle had multiplied in the land of Gilead. And in the days of Saul they made war on the Hegrites, who fell by their hand, and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the region east of Gilead, descendants of Gad.

the sons of gad dwelt over against them in the land of bashan as far as salikah joel the chief shepham the second jenai and shephat of bashan and their kinsmen according to their fathers houses michael mashulam sheba jerai jechan zeah and eber seven these were the sons of abihail the son of huri son of jeroah son of gilead son of michael son of jeshiai son of jaddo son of buz

Ahai the son of Abdeel, son of Guni, was the chief in their fathers' houses. And they dwelt in Gilead, in Bashan, and in its towns, and in all the pasture lands of Sharon to their limits. All of these were enrolled by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had valiant men who carried shield and sword, and drew the bow, expert in war, forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty, ready for service. They made war upon the Hegrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. And when they received help against them, the Hegrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried to God in battle, and he granted their entreaty because they trusted in him.

They carried off their livestock, 50,000 of their camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys, and 100,000 men alive. For many fell slain because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their place until the exile. The half-tribe of Manasseh. The members of the half-tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land. They were very numerous from Bashan to Baal Hermon, Sinir, and Mount Hermon.

These were the heads of their fathers' houses, Ephor, Ishi, Eliel, Azrael, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jadiel, mighty warriors, famous men, heads of their fathers' houses. But they transgressed against the god of their fathers and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land whom God had destroyed before them.

So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul, king of Assyria, the spirit of Tilgath-Pilneser, king of Assyria, and he carried them away, namely the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Hala, Habor, Hara, and the river Gozan to this day. Chapter 6 Descendants of Levi The sons of Levi, Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

the sons of kohath amram izhar hebron and uzziel the children of amran aaron moses and miriam the sons of aaron nadab abihu eleazar and ithamar

Eliezer was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas of Abishua, Abishua of Buki, Buki of Uzi, Uzi of Zerahiah, Zerahiah of Maroth, Maroth of Amariah, Amariah of Ahitub, Ahitub of Zadok, Zadok of Ahimaaz, Ahimaaz of Azariah, Azariah of Johanan, and Johanan of Azariah. It was he who served as priest in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem.

Azariah was the father of Amariah, Amariah of Ahitub, Ahitub of Zadok, Zadok of Shulum, Shalum of Hilkiah, Hilkiah of Azariah, Azariah of Sariah, Sariah of Jehoshadak. And Jehoshadak went into exile when the Lord sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

the sons of levi gershom kohath and merari and these are the names of the sons of gershom libni and shimei the sons of kohath amram izhar hebron and uzziel the sons of merari mali and mushi

These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers of Gershom, Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimah his son, Joah his son, Edo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatharai his son, the sons of Kohath, Amenadab his son, Korah his son, Asir his son, Elkanah his son.

Abiasaph his son, Asir his son, Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, Shaul his son. The sons of Elkanah, Amasai and Ahimoth. Elkanah his son, Zophai his son, Nahath his son, Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.

the sons of samuel joel his first-born the second abijah the sons of merari mali libni his son shimei his son uzzah his son shimeah his son hegeah his son and asaiah his son musicians appointed by david

these are the men whom david put in charge of the service of song in the house of the lord after the ark rested there they ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until solomon had built the house of the lord in jerusalem and they performed their service in due order these are the men who served and their sons

of the sons of the Kohathites Heman the singer the son of Joel son of Samuel son of Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Eliel son of Toa son of Zuf son of Elkanah son of Mahath son of Amasai

son of Elkanah, son of Joel, son of Azariah, son of Zephaniah, son of Tehath, son of Asir, son of Abiasath, son of Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, son of Israel.

and his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, namely Asaph, the son of Berechiah, son of Shimei, son of Michael, son of Baaseah, son of Malkijah, son of Ethni, son of Zerah, son of Adaiah, son of Ethan, son of Zimah, son of Shimei, son of Jahath, son of Gershom, son of Levi.

on the left hand were their brethren the sons of merari ethan the son of kishy son of hashabiah son of amaziah son of hilkiah son of amzi son of bani son of shemer son of mali son of mushi son of merari son of levi and their brethren the levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of god

But Aaron and his sons made offerings upon the altar of burnt offering and upon the altar of incense for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.

these are the sons of aaron eleazar his son phinehas his son abishua his son buki his son uzi his son zerahiah his son merioth his son emariah his son ahitub his son zedok his son ahimaaz his son settlements of the levites

these are the dwelling places according to their settlements within their borders to the sons of aaron of the families of the koathites for theirs was the lot to them they gave hebron in the land of judah and its surrounding pasture lands but the fields of the city and its villages they gave to caleb the son of jephunneh

To the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge: Hebron, Libnah with its pasture lands, Jethir, Eshtemoa with its pasture lands, Hillin with its pasture lands, Debir with its pasture lands, Ashan with its pasture lands, and Bet Shemesh with its pasture lands. And from the tribes of Benjamin, Geba with its pasture lands, Elameth with its pasture lands, and Anathoth with its pasture lands. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen.

to the rest of the kohathites were given by lot out of the family of the tribe out of the half tribe the half of manasseh ten cities to the gershamites according to their families were allotted thirteen cities out of the tribes of issachar asher naphtali and manasseh in bashan

To the Merorites, according to their families, were allotted twelve cities out of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. So the sons of Israel gave the Levites the cities with their pasture lands. They also gave them by lot out of the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, these cities which are mentioned by name.

and some of the families of the sons of kohath had cities of their territory out of the tribe of ephraim they were given the cities of refuge shechem with its pasture lands in the hill country of ephraim gezer with its pasture lands jokme'am with its pasture lands betharon with its pasture lands

Aijalon with its pasture lands, Gath-Ramon with its pasture lands, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Anur with its pasture lands, Bili'am with its pasture lands, for the rest of the families of the Kohathites. To the Gershomites were given out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with its pasture lands, and Ashteroth with its pasture lands, and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kadesh with its pasture lands.

Debarath with its pastor lands, Ramoth with its pastor lands, and Anem with its pastor lands. Out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with its pastor lands, Abdon with its pastor lands, Hukok with its pastor lands, and Rehob with its pastor lands. And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kadesh in Galilee with its pastor lands, Haman with its pastor lands, Kiriathem with its pastor lands.

to the rest of the merorites were allotted out of the tribe of zebulun rimino with its pasture lands tabor with its pasture lands and beyond the jordan at jericho on the east side of the jordan out of the tribe of reuben

Bezer in the steppe with its pasture lands, Jazah with its pasture lands, Kedemoth with its pasture lands, and Mephaoth with its pasture lands. And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its pasture lands, Mahanaim with its pasture lands, Heshbon with its pasture lands, and Jazer with its pasture lands. Psalm 26, plea for justice and declaration of righteousness. A Psalm of David.

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O God, and try me. Test my heart and my mind, for your mercy is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you. I do not sit with false men, nor do I consort with dissemblers. I hate the company of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O Lord, singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. Sweep me not away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, men in whose hands are evil devices and whose right hands are full of bribes. But as for me, I walk in my integrity. Redeem me and have mercy on me. My foot stands on level ground. In the great congregation, I will bless the Lord.

Father in heaven, we give you praise and glory. We thank you so much for your word. We thank you for just the fact that you've worked in history and you continue to work in history. Lord God, you've worked with every one of these people and every one of these families and tribes, just like you work with us, every one of us listening to your word being proclaimed. All of our families strong and weak, all of our families whole and broken, all of our families united and families divided.

Lord God, you are part of history. You're the God of history and you're the God of eternity and you're the God of our history and you lead us and call us into eternity. And so we give you thanks. We give you praise and please receive our praise today on this day, this day, 123 days of listening to your word of being shaped,

by your word. We thank you and praise you. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen. So two quick things I want to highlight. One is from the story of David, right? In 2 Samuel chapter 4, because this is going to be pretty important for us to be attentive to. Why? Well, not only because you can pronounce Ish-bosheth both the way I pronounce it and Ish-bosheth,

But because of the fact that here is David who wants to be an honorable man. Now, I mentioned this before. When we get deeper into Chronicles, we're going to see David. We're going to see a kind of maybe, I don't want to say an edited David, but we're going to just focus on the positive, the strengths, the character, not flaws, but the character strengths of

David in Chronicles. Now, Samuel is going to reveal David's woundedness, his flaws, his realness, not to say that his strengths aren't also his real thing. But what I'm trying to say is in chapter four of second Samuel, we see how consistent David is.

We see his character through and through that David from the very beginning has been someone who doesn't necessarily take pleasure in violence. He doesn't take pleasure in punishing those who don't need to be punished, according to him. Now, later on, David, he should have taken more action. He should have done more to punish those who need punishment. But in this moment, David is taking mercy upon Ish-bosheth or Ish-bosheth.

But I've committed, I said it already, committed to Ish-bosheth. David wants to take mercy on this, his enemy, right? So all, not all of Israel, but many in Israel were calling Ish-bosheth, Ish-bosheth, now I'm confused. Ish-bosheth, they were calling him to be the new king. He was going to be the enemy of David. He was the enemy of David. And yet...

When Rechab and Baana, they go into Ish-bosheth's home and as he's sleeping, they murder him in bed. They assassinate him in bed and they say to David, hey, this is the deal. We just destroyed the last remaining member of the family of King Saul, almost.

To be continued on that one, almost the last surviving member, at least the only threat you have to you right now. And David responds by highlighting the fact that, listen, that is not how we do things. This is going to be a new kingdom under God, and we are not going to do things. Remember at the end of Judges.

that everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Here is David who is making it absolutely clear that is not going to be this kingdom of Israel. We're not going to be this loose confederation of tribes who kind of take the law into their own hands. We are going to be a united kingdom who are under the

law of the Lord. And that's, remember way back that Samuel had said that if you're going to be the king, you have to know the law of the Lord. You have to read the law day and night. In fact, David's going to go on to, in the Psalms, talk about this. Yeah, Lord, how I love your law. I ponder on it day and night. And here is an example of David living that way because as

these two murderers, assassins, Rechab and Ba'ana, come to him. He does not reward them. Well, I guess he does. He rewards their evil deed by killing them, by taking out justice upon them and establishing to all the people, this is not how we do things in the kingdom. That might have been how we did things when there was the loose confederation and there were judges and everyone did what was right in their own eyes, but not anymore. Okay, moving on to 1 Chronicles. I think I mentioned this before, but...

Chronicles is going to be not only, as I said, a following, let's follow David and let's see here's how David has lived. Let's see how David prefigures the coming Messiah, the coming anointed one, the coming Christ, but also not only hope for the reestablishment of the kingdom and a reestablishment of the royal throne, but also the reestablishment of temple worship.

When 1 and 2 Chronicles were written, it's largely believed that this is after the exile. And so the people of Israel have suffered an incredible, incredible defeat. They've been exiled. They have the 10 tribes exiled.

of Israel. We're going to get to that in a little bit. Basically, David unites all 12 tribes. Solomon has the United 12 tribes, that United Kingdom. But then after Solomon, those 12 tribes divide to 10 tribes in the north, Israel, and two tribes in the south, Judah. That's what they call the 10 in the north are called Israel from then on. And the two tribes in the south, Benjamin and Judah, are called Judah. And yet...

This Chronicles is written not only after that division, but then also after the destruction of the 10 tribes in the north and the exile and return of the two tribes in the south. And so what the author of Chronicles is doing is saying,

There is a line, though. There is a line of the line of David, Judah, right? And there's a line, the line of Levi, the line of the priesthood. So we're going to follow those families in particular. Because why? Because they're longing for this reestablishment of the kingdom and longing for reestablishment of temple worship into its full. And so that's what we're going to get. That's kind of some of the main gist or main thrust of the main desire of the

the author of Chronicles. We're going to get to that in a couple days as we get through some more names in the next couple days. But gosh, what a gift to be able to follow, to be able to recognize that God works in time, God works in history. The God of eternity working in history just blows my mind. I think about that all the time. Like, man, God, how in the world are

Are you so humble that you made us in love and you continue to keep us in existence out of love and you continue to speak to us and guide us and protect us out of love? What a gift. Please pray for each other because the God of eternity who's entered into time wants to enter into each and every one of our lives. And so often we need grace. We always need grace, but we need the prayers of each other to help walk in grace. So I'm praying for you. Please pray for me. Please pray for each other. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless you.

God bless.