(8) And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed. (9) В¶ 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, (10) When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: (11) How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?
Observe; with what faith and assurance David speaks of redemption. Not as a thing to be done; but as a work already accomplished. Sweet thought this! So concluded holy men of old. "Blessed, (said Zacharias) he the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited, and redeemed his people. Let thy servant, (said Simeon) depart in peace according to thy word! for mine eyes have seen thy salvation". Luk_1:68; Luk_2:29-30. The just detestation of David at this horridly cruel and unprovoked deed of Rechab and Baanah, could not have been expressed in a stronger manner.