Keraia
2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 2:13

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

Modern
So Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David marched out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. And the two groups took up positions on opposite sides of the pool.
Traditional
And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
Literal
And Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon together, and they sat down, these of the pool on this side, and these of the pool on this side.
Latin
Porro Joab filius Sarviæ, et pueri David, egressi sunt, et occurrerunt eis juxta piscinam Gabaon. Et cum in unum convenissent, e regione sederunt: hi ex una parte piscinæ, et illi ex altera.

Original

Hebrew
English
So Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David marched out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. And the two groups took up positions on opposite sides of the pool.

Notes

2 Samuel 2:13

The pool of Gibeon goes down about 24 meters (80 feet) to reach the water table (the level underground where water collects). Archaeologists estimate that the original builders removed about 3,000 tons of limestone (about 2,700 metric tons) to make the pool.

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

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Joab: Son of Zeruiah, commander of David's army Zeruiah: Sister of David; mother of Joab, Abishai, and Asahel

Places

Gibeon: Hivite city that tricked Joshua into a peace treaty

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 David: King of Israel: David Wages War Against and Defeats Ish-Bosheth Gibeon: Pool of Israel: The Conflict Between the Two Political Factions Joab: Son of David's Sister: Defeats and Kills Abner Pools and Ponds: Gibeon War: Civil