Definition: And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged [them] up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried [it] in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from 2 Samuel 4:12. It’s a really dramatic story about betrayal and revenge. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: David is angry: David was feeling incredibly hurt and betrayed by his own son, Ishbosheth. He was worried he might lose the throne of Israel. He orders his men to kill Ishbosheth: David decides he needs to take action and sends his soldiers to kill Ishbosheth. They do this brutally, cutting off Ishbosheth’s hands and feet and hanging him up in a specific place – Hebron. They find the head of Ishbosheth: After the killings, they discover the body of Ishbosheth. They carefully wrap his head in linen and bury it in a tomb – specifically, a tomb located in Abner's sepulchre (a burial ground) in Hebron. Putting it all together - What’s happening? This verse shows that David was incredibly vengeful. He used his power to inflict a terrible punishment on his own son, and then he sought revenge by burying the body of Ishbosheth. It's a story about a cycle of anger, violence, and seeking retribution. Key Takeaways: Betrayal: The core of this passage is betrayal – David’s son plotted against him. Revenge: David takes action to punish his enemy, driven by anger and a desire for justice (though it's arguably not entirely just). Violence & Consequences: This story highlights the dangers of violence and the potential for it to lead to further conflict and suffering. It’s important to note that this passage is in the Old Testament. It’s a significant part of the narrative surrounding David, his reign, and his relationship with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific aspect of the story in more detail? Connect it to a larger biblical theme (like justice, forgiveness, or the nature of evil)?