And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.

2 SAMUEL 4:6KJV
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2 Samuel 4:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 4:6 mean?

2 Samuel 4:6 describes how two men, Rechab and Baanah, entered a house pretending they were coming to get wheat, but instead attacked and wounded a man under the fifth rib before escaping. The verse shows a moment of betrayal carried out under the cover of an ordinary task.

In this passage, the story is about Rechab and Baanah, who were captains under Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul. They used the pretense of fetching wheat to gain access to Ish-bosheth’s house, where they attacked him in a vulnerable spot. This act is part of a larger narrative about the struggle for power after King Saul’s death.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 4:6

  • "midst" (תָּוֶךְ, tavek): This word means the very middle or center of something. Here, it emphasizes that Rechab and Baanah went right into the heart of the house, not just at the entrance, showing their boldness and intent.
  • "fetched" (לָקַח, laqach): This verb means to take or get. The men used the excuse of taking wheat, which would have been a normal, non-threatening activity, to hide their real purpose.
  • "fifth" (חֹמֶשׁ, chomes): This refers to the area under the fifth rib, often understood as a vulnerable spot near vital organs. The detail suggests a deliberate, targeted attack meant to be fatal.

Why 2 Samuel 4:6 matters

  • This verse clears up that Rechab and Baanah’s attack was not a sudden outburst but a planned act of deception, using an everyday task as their cover.
  • The detail about striking "under the fifth rib" highlights the calculated and deadly nature of their action, not just a random blow.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the political tension and violence that marked the transition from Saul’s rule to David’s, showing how trust was broken even among supposed allies.

Where else these words appear

“fifth” Hebrew H2570 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Samuel 2:23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
  • 2 Samuel 3:27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
  • 2 Samuel 20:10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

“Baanah” Hebrew H1196 · used in 9 verses

  • 2 Samuel 4:2 And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin:(for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin:
  • 2 Samuel 4:9 And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
  • Ezra 2:2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

“Rechab” Hebrew H7394 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 4:2 And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin:(for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin:
  • 2 Kings 10:23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.
  • Jeremiah 35:8 Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;

“wheat” Hebrew H2406 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 30:14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.
  • 1 Samuel 6:13 And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
  • Psalms 81:16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.