Keraia
2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 2:29

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

Modern
And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim.
Traditional
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
Literal
And Abner and his men went on through the Arabah all that night, and they passed over the Jordan and marched all morning, and they entered Mahanaim.
Latin
Abner autem et viri ejus abierunt per campestria, tota nocte illa: et transierunt Jordanem, et lustrata omni Beth-horon, venerunt ad castra.

Original

Hebrew
English
And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim.

Notes

2 Samuel 2:29

Abner acted wisely by putting as much distance as possible between his troops and the forces of Joab. He understood that their desire for blood vengeance (revenge for a killing) could break the truce.

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

Places

Arabah: A desert region in the Jordan Valley and southward Bithron: A ravine or region crossed by Abner's men Jordan: A river and region, significant in Israel's history Mahanaim: A place east of the Jordan; David's refuge

Glossary

Ammah Arabah Asahel Benjamin, Tribe of Bithron David Fords of the Jordan Gibeon, Gibeonites Ishbosheth Joab Mahanaim Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Abner: Loyalty of, to the House of Saul Bithron: A District Bordering on the Edge of the Jordan River David: King of Israel: David Wages War Against and Defeats Ish-Bosheth Israel: The Conflict Between the Two Political Factions Joab: Son of David's Sister: Defeats and Kills Abner Jordan: Fords of Truce in Battle War: Civil