2 Samuel 2 17

2 Samuel 2:17 kjv

And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

2 Samuel 2:17 nkjv

So there was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

2 Samuel 2:17 niv

The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the Israelites were defeated by David's men.

2 Samuel 2:17 esv

And the battle was very fierce that day. And Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

2 Samuel 2:17 nlt

A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the forces of David.

2 Samuel 2 verses

2 Samuel 2 17 Meaning

This verse describes a highly intense and decisive military engagement between the forces loyal to Ish-bosheth, led by Abner, and those loyal to David, led by Joab. The phrase "very sore battle" underscores the ferocity of the combat. Crucially, the outcome was a clear and overwhelming defeat for Abner and the men of Israel, establishing the superiority of David's forces. This event was a significant turning point in the prolonged conflict for the throne of Israel, affirming the ascendance of David's house and the diminishing power of Saul's house.

2 Samuel 2 17 Context

This verse is situated early in the reign of David over Judah, following the death of Saul and Jonathan. David has been anointed king over Judah in Hebron, while Abner, Saul's formidable general, has established Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, as king over the rest of Israel in Mahanaim. The passage in 2 Samuel 2 describes the initial direct confrontation between the two factions. The preceding verses (2 Sam 2:12-16) recount a pre-arranged combat between twelve young men from Joab's side and twelve from Abner's side, which escalated rapidly when all twenty-four participants killed each other simultaneously. This shocking incident immediately ignited a much larger, full-scale battle, of which verse 17 is the direct aftermath, portraying the decisive outcome of the initial major clash between the divided kingdom factions. Historically, this reflects a period of intense civil strife in Israel, marked by shifting loyalties and violent attempts to secure political dominance, with Gibeon serving as a critical early battlefield.

2 Samuel 2 17 Word analysis

• And there was a very sore battle that day,

  • And: Connects this event directly to the preceding escalation, showing the immediate consequence of the "battle of twelve."
  • very sore: From Hebrew meʾod qasheh (מְאֹד קָשֶׁה). Meʾod means "very, exceedingly," and qasheh means "hard, difficult, severe, grievous." This emphasizes the intense, brutal, and possibly bloody nature of the conflict. It wasn't a skirmish but a major engagement, indicating significant effort and possibly casualties on both sides, though the focus is on the defeat of Abner's forces.
  • battle: Hebrew milḥāmāh (מִלְחָמָה), a standard term for war or combat. Its use highlights that this was a full military engagement, not merely a minor clash.
  • that day: Specifies the singular nature of this decisive encounter. The battle's ferocity and outcome were contained within that particular day, signifying its immediate and impactful conclusion.

• and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

  • Abner: The central figure of Saul's lingering authority and military might. His direct mention signifies that the defeat was specifically targeted at the very core of Ish-bosheth's power base, demonstrating that even a seasoned and powerful general could not withstand the rising tide of David's cause.
  • the men of Israel: Represents the larger force under Abner's command, primarily from the northern tribes loyal to Saul's house. Their defeat indicates a broad loss for Ish-bosheth's entire faction.
  • were beaten: Hebrew nāgap (נָגַף), meaning "to strike, smite, defeat, wound." It often implies a rout or a clear, decisive military defeat. In some contexts, it can also carry a connotation of divine judgment or intervention causing the defeat, suggesting that the Lord's hand was at work, securing David's ascendancy.
  • before the servants of David: This phrase clearly designates David's men as the victors. It highlights the shifting power dynamics—Abner's renowned military prowess was overcome by those serving the anointed king David. "Servants" implies their allegiance and the legitimate cause they represented, emphasizing David's growing influence.

2 Samuel 2 17 Bonus section

• The battle took place at the "pool of Gibeon," a significant historical site. Gibeon itself was a prominent Hivite city, known for its strategic location and for making a deceptive covenant with Joshua (Josh 9). Later, it became a Levitical city and a high place where Solomon sought wisdom from God (1 Kgs 3:4-5).
• The immediate, simultaneous death of the twenty-four champions ("each thrust his sword into the other's side") acted as a catalyst, igniting deep-seated tribal and political hostilities that had been simmering since Saul's death. This shocking symmetry was a prelude to the "very sore battle," underscoring the destructive nature of internal division.
• This verse sets the stage for Abner's subsequent political realignment. His defeat here not only diminished his military standing but likely contributed to his growing frustration with Ish-bosheth, eventually leading him to seek negotiations with David, a turning point for David's universal kingship over all Israel.

2 Samuel 2 17 Commentary

2 Samuel 2:17 marks a pivotal moment in the civil war between the houses of Saul and David. What began as a tragic, symmetrical duel quickly erupted into a large-scale battle. The severity implied by "very sore battle" underscores the high stakes and the desperate nature of the conflict, as two divinely-chosen, though at different stages, leaders (one rejected, one anointed for future kingship) wrestled for the heart of Israel. The decisive defeat of Abner, the formidable general, along with the "men of Israel" (representing Ish-bosheth's northern coalition), demonstrates more than just military prowess on David's side; it reveals the providential hand of God working to establish His anointed king. Abner, for all his experience and command, could not resist the tide of God's purpose flowing towards David. This initial military victory for David's forces sets a precedent, illustrating that despite continued opposition and extended conflict, the ultimate outcome—the unification of Israel under David—was already predetermined by divine will. The defeat at Gibeon stripped Abner of considerable power and moral authority, paving the way for later political maneuverings that would further consolidate David's claim to the entire kingdom.