Keraia
2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 2:31

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

Modern
…but they had struck down 360 Benjamites who were with Abner.
Traditional
But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
Literal
And the servants of David had struck down from Benjamin, even from the men of Abner, three hundred and sixty men who died.
Latin
Servi autem David percusserunt de Benjamin, et de viris qui erant cum Abner, trecentos sexaginta, qui et mortui sunt.

Original

Hebrew
English
…but they had struck down 360 Benjamites who were with Abner.

Notes

2 Samuel 2:31

The 360 men who died all belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, the tribe of Saul. They were fighting under the command of one of Saul’s relatives. This defeat was a direct blow to Saul’s family line and its claim to rule (compare 2 Samuel 3:1).

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 Benjamin: Youngest son of Jacob and Rachel David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Glossary

Ammah Asahel Benjamin, Tribe of David Gibeon, Gibeonites Ishbosheth Joab 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 Israel: The Conflict Between the Two Political Factions Joab: Son of David's Sister: Defeats and Kills Abner Tribe of Benjamin: Adhered for a Time to the House of Saul Against David Tribe of Benjamin: Census of Loyal to Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul Truce in Battle War: Civil