2 Samuel 4:11

A righteous person. This statement is not intended to be a complete evaluation of Ish-bosheth’s moral character but simply a pronouncement clearing the character of the king from crime worthy of death.

Require his blood. David was addressing a question to the murderers. He had presented the facts before them exactly as they were, and they themselves were to judge whether his decision was right or wrong. There could be only one answer, even from the condemned — they were guilty and were worthy to die. Justice demanded that the sentence of death be executed, and the accused had nothing to say in self-defense.

Many men placed in David’s position would not have thought as clearly or judged as wisely as did David. They might have considered these murderers as true patriots, worthy citizens, and friends. What actually was murder they might have interpreted as a deed of justice and necessity, performed in the best interests of the state. The murderers themselves hoped and certainly expected to have their deed interpreted in that way. But David saw beneath the outward sham, ascertaining correctly their selfish, evil motives. They did not hesitate at murder if it would serve their personal interests. They pretended to be friends of David, but in being traitors to the man they served, they proved themselves to be unworthy citizens of the nation of Israel. Let some turn of events place David in an unfavorable situation, and they would not hesitate to slay him exactly as they had slain Ish-bosheth. Such men could not be trusted. They were not worthy to live, and by their silence they proclaimed to the nation that they regarded the sentence against them as just.

Take you away. Literally, “consume you” or “destroy you.” The Hebrew word, ba‘ar, here translated “take away,” in the form here employed is used of putting away evil or the guilt of evil (Deuteronomy 19:13, 19; etc.). The murderers’ guilt polluted the land and could be expiated only by the blood of those guilty of shedding innocent blood (Numbers 35:33).