Overview
The Bible addresses rechab across 9 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Samuel and Nehemiah. Closely related themes include Ish-Bosheth, Regicide, Assassination and Murder. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Ishbosheth, David, Saul and Abner.
Key Bible verses about rechab
Old Testament
2 Samuel
And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
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.
For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.
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.
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,
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: thinking: Heb. he was in his own eyes as a bringer, etc who: or, which was the reward I gave him for his tidings
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?
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.
People in the Bible and rechab
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying rechab for yourself
- Begin with 2 Samuel 4:5, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how 2 Samuel and Nehemiah each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Ishbosheth, David and Saul and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Ish-Bosheth, Regicide, Assassination and Murder.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about rechab?
The Bible addresses rechab across 9 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Samuel and Nehemiah. Closely related themes include Ish-Bosheth, Regicide, Assassination and Murder. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Ishbosheth, David, Saul and Abner.
How many Bible verses are about rechab?
The Bible references rechab in 9 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention rechab?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 2 Samuel 4:5: “And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with rechab?
Ishbosheth, David, Saul and Abner.
Preach & teach
Outline a sermon or build a study series on rechab.
Preach a series on Rechab →