1 Quando Is-Bosete, filho de Saul, ouviu que Abner morrera em Hebrom, tornaram-se-lhe fracas as mãos, e todo o Israel ficou perturbado.2 Tinha o filho de Saul a seu serviço dois capitães de salteadores, um dos quais se chamava Baaná e o outro Recabe, filhos de Rimom berotita, dos filhos de Benjamim (pois Beerote foi reputada pertencente a Benjamim:3 e os berotitas fugiram a Gitaim, e ali têm peregrinado até o dia de hoje).4 Ora Jônatas, filho de Saul, tinha um filho aleijado dos pés. Este era de cinco anos de idade, quando chegaram de Jezreel as novas de Saul e de Jônatas; a sua ama o tomou e fugiu e, apressando-se ela a fugir, caiu o menino e ficou coxo. O seu nome era Mefibosete.5 Indo Recabe e Baaná, filhos de Rimom berotita, chegaram à casa de Is-Bosete no calor do dia, enquanto ele dormia a sesta.6 Entraram ali no interior da casa, como os que levavam trigo, e feriram-no na barriga; Recabe e Baaná, seu irmão, escaparam.7 Quando entraram na casa, estando ele deitado em seu leito no quarto de dormir, ferindo-o, mataram-no e, cortando-lhe a cabeça, tomaram-na e andaram a noite toda pelo caminho da Arabá.8 Trouxeram a cabeça de Is-Bosete a Davi em Hebrom, e disseram ao rei: Eis a cabeça de Is-Bosete, filho de Saul, teu inimigo, que te procurava a morte; Jeová vingou hoje ao rei meu senhor de Saul e da sua semente.9 Respondeu Davi a Recabe e a Baaná, seu irmão, filhos de Rimom berotita, e disse-lhes: Pela vida de Jeová que remiu a minha alma de toda a angústia,10 se, aquele que me deu a nova de que era morto Saul, cuidando que me trazia uma boa nova, eu fiz prender e matei em Ziclague, e essa foi a recompensa que lhe dei;11 quanto mais, quando homens malvados mataram a um homem justo na sua casa, sobre o seu leito, não requererei eu de vossas mãos o seu sangue, e não vos exterminarei da terra?12 Deu Davi ordem aos seus mancebos; eles os mataram e lhes cortaram as mãos e os pés, e os penduraram junto ao tanque em Hebrom. Tomaram, porém, a cabeça de Is-Bosete, e a enterraram na sepultura de Abner em Hebrom.

1 Saul’s son Ishbosheth heard that Abner had died in Hebron. He lost his courage, and all Israel was alarmed.2 Saul’s son had two men who were captains of raiding parties. One was named Baanah, and the other was named Rechab. They were the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth from the tribe of Benjamin. Beeroth was considered a part of Benjamin.3 The people of Beeroth fled to Gittaim. They still live there today.4 Saul’s son Jonathan had a son who was crippled. When the boy was five years old, the news about the death of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled to Gittaim. She was in a hurry when she left. He fell from her arms and became disabled. His name was Mephibosheth.5 Rechab and Baanah went to Ishbosheth’s house at the noontime. It was a hot day, and he was resting.6 They came to the middle of the house pretending to get wheat. Once they were inside they stabbed Ishbosheth in the stomach and killed him.7 They cut off his head and took his head with them. They traveled by way of the Arabah all night.8 They took the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, »Here is the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. Jehovah has given my lord the king vengeance this day on Saul and his descendants.«9 David responded to Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth:10 »I once seized a man who told me that Saul had died. He thought he was bringing good news. I killed him in Ziklag to reward him for his news.11 »How much more should I reward wicked men who kill an innocent man on his own bed in his home? Jehovah has rescued me from every trouble. I solemnly swear, as Jehovah lives, I will now seek revenge for his murder and rid the land of you.«12 David gave the order for his soldiers to kill Rechab and Baanah and cut off their hands and feet. They killed them and hung their hands and feet near the pool in Hebron. They took Ishbosheth’s head and buried it in Abner’s tomb there at Hebron.