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2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 2:12

The Battle of Gibeon · 2 Samuel 2:12–32
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Translations

Modern
One day Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
Traditional
And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish–bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
Literal
And Abner son of Ner went out, and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
Latin
Egressusque est Abner filius Ner, et pueri Isboseth filii Saul, de castris in Gabaon.

Original

Hebrew
English
One day Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

Notes

2 Samuel 2:12

Gibeon, about eight kilometers (five miles) northwest of Jerusalem, was an important city in the region of Benjamin.

2 Samuel 2:12–32

A long civil war followed between Judah, led by David, and the northern tribes, led by Saul’s family. These events led directly to the murder of Abner (2 Samuel 3:22–39).

2 Samuel 2:1–32

After Saul died, those loyal to David (the tribe of Judah) came into conflict with those loyal to Saul’s son Ish-bosheth (the remaining tribes of Israel).

At this time, the Philistines controlled much of the land west of the Jordan River. They likely encouraged this division among the Israelites because a divided people were easier for them to control.

Theme notes and profiles

Abner David Joab

Events

People

Abner: Saul's cousin and commander of his army Ish-bosheth: Son of Saul, king over Israel Ner: Father of Abner, King Saul's commander Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Places

Gibeon: Hivite city that tricked Joshua into a peace treaty Mahanaim: A place east of the Jordan; David's refuge

Glossary

Benjamin, Tribe of Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) David Gibeon, Gibeonites Ishbosheth Joab Mahanaim Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Abner: Loyalty of, to the House of Saul Israel: The Conflict Between the Two Political Factions Mahanaim: Ish-Bosheth Establishes Himself At, when Made King Over Israel War: Civil