Keraia
2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 2:21

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

Translations

Modern
So Abner told him, “Turn to your right or to your left, seize one of the young men, and take his equipment for yourself.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him.
Traditional
And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.
Literal
And Abner said to him, “Stretch aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay hold on one of the young men, and take for yourself his armor.” And Asahel would not turn aside from after him.
Latin
Dixitque ei Abner: Vade ad dexteram, sive ad sinistram, et apprehende unum de adolescentibus, et tolle tibi spolia ejus. Noluit autem Asaël omittere quin urgeret eum.

Original

Hebrew
English
So Abner told him, “Turn to your right or to your left, seize one of the young men, and take his equipment for yourself.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him.

Notes

2 Samuel 2:20–22

Turn to your right or to your left … Stop chasing me: Abner’s words show respect between men trained for the same kind of military work, along with a desire for fairness in battle. Asahel, who was still young, would not have been able to defeat the more experienced Abner. Abner also understood that killing Asahel would worsen the conflict with David, and David’s troops would try to take revenge (see 2 Samuel 3:22–39).

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 Asahel: Son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, killed by Abner

Glossary

Asahel Benjamin, Tribe of David Gibeon, Gibeonites Ishbosheth Joab Mahanaim Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Abner: Loyalty of, to the House of Saul Asahel: Nephew of David, and One of his Captains David: King of Israel: David Wages War Against and Defeats Ish-Bosheth Homicide: Felonious: Abner Israel: The Conflict Between the Two Political Factions Joab: Son of David's Sister: Defeats and Kills Abner Military Arms of the Vanquished: Taken off Them War: Civil