2 Samuel 2 13

2 Samuel 2:13 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 2:13 nkjv

And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. So they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool.

2 Samuel 2:13 niv

Joab son of Zeruiah and David's men went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat down on one side of the pool and one group on the other side.

2 Samuel 2:13 esv

And Joab the son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met them at 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.

2 Samuel 2:13 nlt

About the same time, Joab son of Zeruiah led David's troops out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. The two groups sat down there, facing each other from opposite sides of the pool.

2 Samuel 2 verses

2 Samuel 2 13 Meaning

This verse sets the stage for a confrontation between the forces loyal to David, led by Joab, and the forces loyal to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, led by Abner. They arrive and position themselves on opposite sides of the ancient pool in Gibeon, creating a stark visual of the nation's civil division and the imminent clash between the two houses for sovereignty over Israel.

2 Samuel 2 13 Context

This verse occurs early in the period of civil war that followed the death of King Saul. After David was anointed king in Hebron over the tribe of Judah (2 Sam 2:4), Abner, Saul's general, established Saul's son Ish-bosheth as king over the rest of Israel (2 Sam 2:8-10). The nation was deeply divided. The conflict had moved from political maneuvering to direct confrontation. This particular encounter at the pool of Gibeon serves as a prelude to a larger, more protracted conflict (2 Sam 3:1), initiating the military engagement between David's growing kingdom and Saul's lingering house.

2 Samuel 2 13 Word analysis

• So: Indicates a continuation and direct consequence of the previous actions or a response to the ongoing situation. Here, it signifies the deliberate move to engage the opposing faction.
• Joab: (Hebrew: יוֹאָב, Yo'av). Meaning "Yahweh is father." David's nephew and formidable commander of David's forces. His presence here signifies David's official military might and leadership. He is portrayed throughout the biblical narrative as loyal, fierce, but sometimes ruthless.
• the son of Zeruiah: Zeruiah was David's sister (1 Chr 2:16). This familial tie underscores Joab's high position and loyalty within David's inner circle and further defines his authority in leading David's men.
• and the servants of David: (Hebrew: עַבְדֵי דָוִד, ‘avdei Dawid). This phrase emphasizes their identity as loyal subjects and soldiers of David, signifying his growing influence and the allegiance he commanded beyond just his personal followers.
• went out: (Hebrew: יָצְאוּ, yatze'u). This active verb indicates a purposeful departure from their current location, clearly intending to confront Abner's forces.
• and met them: (Hebrew: וַיִּפְגְּשׁוּם, vayyiphgĕshum). To meet or encounter. Here, it implies a planned rendezvous for conflict rather than a chance encounter. The stage is set for a direct confrontation.
• by the pool of Gibeon: (Hebrew: בִּרְכַּת גִּבְעוֹן, birkat Gibeon).
  • Pool (בִּרְכָּה, birkah): A reservoir, cistern, or large body of water, essential for survival in the dry climate of the Levant. Its significance often made it a strategic meeting point or landmark.
  • Gibeon (גִּבְעוֹן, Gibe'on): A significant Hivite city, later given to Benjamin, a Levitical city, and a place where sacrifices were made (Josh 9; 1 Ki 3:4). Its historical and strategic importance makes it a fitting location for such a pivotal confrontation, turning a life-sustaining place into a battleground.
• And they sat down: (Hebrew: וַיֵּשְׁבוּ, vayyeshevu). While "sitting down" might suggest a rest, in this military context, it signifies taking up positions, fortifying their stance, and preparing for the engagement, a quiet before the storm.
• one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool: This detailed spatial description highlights the clear delineation between the two opposing forces. It vividly illustrates the divided state of Israel and the direct, confrontational standoff, with the pool serving as the literal line of separation. It builds tension and sets the visual for the "game" proposed in the following verse.

Words-group analysis:

• "Joab the son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out": This phrase highlights the organized, military response from David's faction, underscoring Joab's key role and the collective loyalty to David's kingship.
• "met them by the pool of Gibeon": This precisely locates the confrontation, making a specific historical event out of a general conflict, transforming a communal water source into a ground zero for civil war. The choice of location often had symbolic resonance.
• "they sat down, one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool": This repetition and precise spatial arrangement amplify the sense of division, tension, and impending conflict. It portrays a direct, intentional standoff, not an accidental meeting, emphasizing the prepared nature of the engagement.

2 Samuel 2 13 Bonus section

The Pool of Gibeon itself is archaeologically confirmed, featuring a massive, cylindrical water system cut into bedrock, accessed by a spiral staircase. This substantial engineering marvel underscores its importance in ancient times, making its selection as a battleground even more poignant—a place designed to sustain life ironically becomes a locus of death. The names of Joab and Abner are significant. Joab, meaning "Yahweh is father," signifies a link to the covenant God, even as he commits violent acts. Abner's continued loyalty to Saul's house, despite knowing of David's anointing (1 Sam 16:1, 13), highlights the human tendency to cling to established power structures even against divine providence. The seemingly static description of the two groups "sitting down" before battle creates an eerie calm before the violent storm, intensifying the drama and foreboding.

2 Samuel 2 13 Commentary

2 Samuel 2:13 paints a vivid picture of a divided Israel poised for battle. It encapsulates the early stages of the civil war between the legitimate kingship chosen by God (David) and the house seeking to maintain Saul's legacy (Ish-bosheth). The deliberate action of both parties going out to meet signifies the readiness for armed conflict. The choice of the "pool of Gibeon" is strategically significant, a vital communal resource now becoming a contested arena, symbolizing the lifeblood of Israel being tragically divided. The precise positioning of "one on the one side... and the other on the other side" not only emphasizes the physical separation of the forces but also graphically represents the deep chasm that had opened up within God's people. This scene lays the groundwork for the brutal "game" of the young men in the verses that follow, ultimately highlighting the bitter cost of human will resisting divine appointment, and the tragic nature of civil strife where countrymen face each other as enemies.

• Example: This situation is like two rival siblings dividing a shared inheritance, each standing on their designated portion, ready to contest every claim.