2 Samuel 2:12 kjv

And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

2 Samuel 2:12 nkjv

Now Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

2 Samuel 2:12 niv

Abner son of Ner, together with the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon.

2 Samuel 2:12 esv

Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

2 Samuel 2:12 nlt

One day Abner led Ishbosheth's troops from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

2 Samuel 2 verses

2 Samuel 2 12 Meaning

This verse describes Abner, the commander of Saul's army, taking the initiative to move Ishbosheth's forces from their base in Mahanaim to Gibeon. This act directly precipitates the confrontation with David's forces, marking the commencement of a civil war in Israel following Saul's death and David's anointing as king over Judah. It signifies the formal attempt to establish Saul's son as ruler over a divided kingdom.

2 Samuel 2 12 Context

Following the deaths of King Saul and his three sons at the battle of Gilboa (1 Sam 31), David mourns deeply and establishes himself as king over Judah in Hebron (2 Sam 2:1-4). However, the narrative highlights a period of intense division. Abner, Saul's influential army commander, took a remaining son of Saul, Ishbosheth (also known as Esh-baal in other texts), and installed him as king over the northern tribes of Israel in Mahanaim, east of the Jordan River (2 Sam 2:8-10). This verse, 2 Samuel 2:12, then immediately signals Abner's strategic move, initiating a direct confrontation between the two rival kingdoms. By bringing Ishbosheth's forces westward from their trans-Jordanian stronghold to Gibeon, Abner challenges David's growing authority and the divine appointment over a fragmented Israel.

2 Samuel 2 12 Word analysis

• And Abner (וְאַבְנֵר - ve'avner): Abner, "father of light" or "my father is Ner (lamp)." He was Saul's paternal uncle and commander of his army (1 Sam 14:50). He is the central figure initiating the conflict here, demonstrating his power and continued loyalty to Saul's dynasty despite God's clear rejection of Saul and anointing of David.
• the son of Ner (בֶּן־נֵר - ben-Ner): Reinforces his identity and connection to Saul's family, as Ner was Saul's uncle and father of Kish (Saul's father) according to some genealogies (1 Sam 14:50-51). His family connection emphasizes his personal stake in the preservation of Saul's house.
• and the servants of Ishbosheth (וְעַבְדֵי אִישׁ־בֹּשֶׁת - ve'avdey Ish-Bosheth): Refers to Ishbosheth's military contingent or loyal followers. "Ishbosheth" means "man of shame," a probable deliberate textual alteration from his original name "Esh-baal" (man of Baal) to avoid uttering the name of the pagan god Baal, reflecting a theological sensitivity. Ishbosheth was Saul's fourth son, effectively a puppet king under Abner's control.
• the son of Saul (בֶּן־שָׁאוּל - ben-Shaul): Emphasizes Ishbosheth's royal lineage, providing a basis for Abner's claim to the throne against David. It underlines the traditional principle of dynastic succession being upheld, in contrast to divine election.
• went out (יָצָאוּ - yatz'u): This plural verb implies an intentional, directed movement of a significant number of people, often with purpose. It is not just casual travel but a strategic deployment. Here, it denotes setting out for a military encounter.
• from Mahanaim (מִמַּחֲנַיִם - miMahanaim): Mahanaim, meaning "two camps," was Ishbosheth's capital on the east side of the Jordan (2 Sam 2:8-9). It was historically significant as the place where Jacob met angels (Gen 32:2). Moving from Mahanaim westward signifies crossing a strategic boundary, directly entering David's sphere of influence.
• to Gibeon (גִּבְעוֹן - Gib'on): Gibeon was an important city within the tribal territory of Benjamin, Saul's own tribe (Josh 18:25), close to Jerusalem. It was known for its cunning inhabitants who tricked Joshua (Josh 9) and later became a high place where Solomon sought God (1 Ki 3:4-5). Its selection as the meeting point signifies a chosen battlefield, likely intended to be on familiar ground for Abner's Benjamite forces.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul": This phrase clearly identifies the two key players and their alliance representing the remnant of Saul's dynasty. Abner is the active force, while Ishbosheth is the figurehead for whose cause they fight, symbolizing human ambition attempting to thwart divine purpose.
• "went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon": This phrase succinctly captures the decisive movement that triggers the military confrontation. It signifies the proactive aggression from Saul's house, leaving their secure base (Mahanaim) to seek engagement on the border of Judah's influence (Gibeon). It sets the stage for the dramatic and bloody "game" that follows.

2 Samuel 2 12 Bonus section

• The geographical locations in the verse highlight the political fragmentation of Israel after Saul's death. Mahanaim represents a capital for the northern tribes who aligned with Ishbosheth, while David ruled from Hebron in Judah. Gibeon, situated in Benjamin's territory, served as a volatile border zone.
• The persistence of Saul's house through Abner's efforts reflects a typical ancient Near Eastern attempt to maintain dynastic succession, even if the former king was divinely rejected. This contrasts sharply with the divine principle of selecting a new king (David) based on God's choice rather than lineage or human preference.
• The coming conflict, beginning here, will involve tragic human cost and personal vendettas, showcasing the consequences of rebellion against God's appointed leader.

2 Samuel 2 12 Commentary

This seemingly straightforward verse initiates one of the most significant civil conflicts in Israel's history. It is Abner, not Ishbosheth, who takes command and actively seeks out confrontation. This underscores Abner's strategic cunning, loyalty to Saul's lineage, and possibly his own ambition to retain power in a fragmented Israel. The decision to "go out" from the relative safety of Mahanaim to Gibeon, a location nearer David's territory, demonstrates an audacious challenge. This move forces the two emerging powers, one chosen by God (David) and the other propped up by human design (Ishbosheth), into a head-on collision, signaling the beginning of a prolonged and bitter war between the house of Saul and the house of David. It sets the scene for a struggle that reveals God's faithfulness in establishing His chosen king despite human opposition and resistance.