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2 Samuel 4 · Grade 5

Redeemed Out of All Adversity

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Read and Think

Chapter 4 closes the story of Saul's house as a ruling family. After Abner's death, Ishbosheth's hands became feeble, and Israel was troubled. Two Benjamite captains, Rechab and Baanah, decided to take matters into their own hands.

Before describing their crime, the writer gives a short note about Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son. When the news of Saul and Jonathan came, his nurse fled with him, and in her haste he fell and became lame in his feet. This note prepares us for David's great kindness later, when he remembers his promise to Jonathan.

Rechab and Baanah entered Ishbosheth's house in the heat of the day and killed him while he rested. They carried the evidence to David and announced that the Lord had avenged the king. David answered with an oath by the Lord, who had redeemed his soul out of all adversity. He would not accept a throne won through treachery. He ordered the murderers punished and buried Ishbosheth's head in Abner's grave. David trusted God, not wicked shortcuts, to give him the kingdom.

Show What You Know

  1. What does chapter 4 close?

  2. Why does the writer include the note about Mephibosheth?

  3. How did Rechab and Baanah describe their crime to David?

  4. By whom did David swear?

  5. What did David trust to give him the kingdom?

Crossword

41235

Across

  1. Saul's son, the father of Mephibosheth
  2. He was ____ years old.
  3. who has ____ my soul out of all adversity

Down

  1. had a son who was ____ in his feet
  2. His ____ picked him up and fled.

Think About It

  1. David said the Lord had redeemed his soul out of all adversity. How has God carried you through hard times without your needing to take shortcuts?

  2. Sometimes people think doing wrong will please those in charge. How can you stand for what is right even when wrong seems helpful?

Memory Verse

“Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news came about Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel; and his nurse picked him up and fled. As she hurried to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.”

2 Samuel 4:4 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for caring for me in hard times. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can you trust God's timing instead of grabbing what you want?
  • Why is it important for leaders to refuse rewards that come from wrong?
  • How can you stand up for someone who was treated unfairly?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.