2 Samuel 2:28 kjv
So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
2 Samuel 2:28 nkjv
So Joab blew a trumpet; and all the people stood still and did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore.
2 Samuel 2:28 niv
So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the troops came to a halt; they no longer pursued Israel, nor did they fight anymore.
2 Samuel 2:28 esv
So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the men stopped and pursued Israel no more, nor did they fight anymore.
2 Samuel 2:28 nlt
So Joab blew the ram's horn, and his men stopped chasing the troops of Israel.
2 Samuel 2 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 10:9 | "When you go to war...you shall sound a blast with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD." | Trumpet as a signal for battle & divine remembrance. |
| Jdg 3:27 | "When he arrived...he blew a trumpet in the hills of Ephraim." | Trumpet used to assemble troops for war. |
| Jdg 6:34 | "The Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, and Abiezer was gathered after him." | Trumpet used to call forces together. |
| Jdg 7:18-20 | "When I blow the trumpet...you also blow your trumpets..." | Trumpet used as a specific battle signal. |
| Neh 4:20 | "Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there." | Trumpet as a rallying signal during defense. |
| Ps 46:9 | "He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear." | God's ultimate power to end conflicts. |
| Isa 2:4 | "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." | Prophecy of future universal peace. |
| Mic 4:3 | Similar to Isa 2:4, foretelling a time when nations will no longer engage in war. | Messianic prophecy of peace and disarmament. |
| Zech 9:10 | "I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim...the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations." | Prophecy of divine peace extending globally. |
| 1 Sam 13:3 | "Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines...And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land..." | Trumpet to call Israelites to war against a foe. |
| Jer 4:5 | "Proclaim in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem...blow the trumpet in the land..." | Trumpet as a warning or call to war. |
| Hos 8:1 | "Set the trumpet to your mouth! He is coming like an eagle against the house of the LORD..." | Trumpet used to announce judgment/invasion. |
| Joel 2:1 | "Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain!" | Trumpet for warning and assembly in Zion. |
| 1 Sam 7:13 | "So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel..." | Example of a conflict being decisively ended. |
| 2 Sam 3:1 | "Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David..." | Broader context of the protracted civil war. |
| 2 Sam 3:27 | "Abner had turned aside to speak with him there secretly, Joab struck him in the stomach..." | Joab's decisive, sometimes ruthless, actions. |
| 2 Sam 20:8-10 | Joab later killing Amasa by deceptive means, demonstrating his ruthlessness in battle and internal politics. | Joab's character as a decisive commander. |
| 1 Kgs 2:5-6 | David's dying counsel to Solomon regarding Joab, describing his violent actions against Abner and Amasa. | Reflects Joab's history of violence. |
| Mk 13:7 | "And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet." | The ongoing nature of conflict in human history until God's ultimate end. |
| Lk 2:14 | "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" | The promise of divine peace. |
| Jas 4:1-2 | "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?" | Internal human strife as a source of conflict. |
| Rom 12:18 | "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." | Encouragement for peace among people. |
2 Samuel 2 verses
2 Samuel 2 28 Meaning
2 Samuel 2:28 describes the immediate aftermath of Joab sounding a trumpet during the civil conflict between the house of David and the house of Saul. Upon hearing the trumpet's call, all the soldiers involved in the pursuit and battle ceased their activities, indicating the official end of hostilities at that moment. This act prevented further bloodshed between the Israelites from the opposing sides.
2 Samuel 2 28 Context
This verse is situated during a fierce civil war following the death of King Saul. The conflict pits the house of Saul, represented by Ish-bosheth and his general Abner, against the house of David, led by David and his general Joab. An initial encounter at the Pool of Gibeon led to a deadly joust between twelve men from each side. This escalated into a full-blown battle, with Abner's forces being routed by David's men. During the pursuit, Asahel, Joab's swift brother, relentlessly pursued Abner. Despite Abner's repeated warnings and attempts to deter him, Asahel refused to turn back and was ultimately killed by Abner in self-defense (2 Sam 2:18-23). The pursuit continued into the evening. At this point, Abner pleads with Joab (2 Sam 2:26-27) to stop the fighting, questioning the indefinite nature of the sword's devastation and urging an end to the "bitter end" (Hebrew for "forever"). Joab responds by acknowledging that had Abner spoken sooner, the pursuit would not have gone on (2 Sam 2:27). Verse 28 then describes Joab's decisive action to end the combat by sounding the trumpet. This immediate context highlights the devastating nature of internal conflict and Joab's calculated decision to halt the fratricidal pursuit.
2 Samuel 2 28 Word analysis
So Joab (וַיִּתְקַע יוֹאָב, wa-yitqa` Yo'av): "Joab" (יוֹאָב, Yo'av) is David's nephew and commander of his army. His actions here demonstrate his authority and pragmatic nature as a military leader. The "So" indicates a direct consequence of the preceding dialogue and situation (Abner's plea, the lengthy pursuit, and Joab's acknowledgment).
blew a trumpet (תָּקַע שׁוֹפָר, taqa` shofar):
- blew (תָּקַע, taqa`): This verb means "to strike," "to blow," "to thrust." When used with a musical instrument like the shofar, it specifically implies a forceful and decisive blast. It's a technical term for sounding an alarm, assembling troops, or signaling.
- trumpet (שׁוֹפָר, shofar): This refers to a ram's horn, a significant instrument in ancient Israel for military, religious, and ceremonial purposes. Unlike the silver trumpets (ḥaṣoṣrāh) often associated with priests, the shofar was more widely used, especially for war signals, as seen here. Its sound conveyed authority and commanded attention.
and all the people stopped (וַיַּעַמְדוּ כָּל־הָעָם, wa-ya
amdu kol-haam):- stopped (וַיַּעַמְדוּ, wa-ya`amdu): From the root עָמַד (amad), meaning "to stand still," "to cease," "to halt." It implies an immediate and obedient cessation of movement and activity.
- all the people (כָּל־הָעָם, kol-ha`am): Refers to both sides of the fighting armies – those pursuing (David's men) and those being pursued (Saul's men). The immediate and universal obedience to the signal underscores the recognized authority of the trumpet blast in warfare.
and pursued Israel no more (וְלֹא־רָדְפוּ עוֹד אַחֲרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, we-lo
-radfuod `achare Yisrael):- pursued (רָדְפוּ, radfu): From the root רָדַף (radaf), meaning "to chase," "to pursue," "to persecute." It specifically refers to the action of chasing down a defeated enemy.
- Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisrael): In this context, "Israel" specifically refers to the tribes allied with Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, who were fighting against the men of Judah led by David. This highlights the internal, fratricidal nature of the conflict.
- no more (עוֹד, `od): Signifies cessation and finality of the pursuit at that moment.
nor fought anymore (וְלֹא־נִלְחֲמוּ עוֹד, we-lo
-nilḥamuod):- fought (נִלְחֲמוּ, nilḥamu): From the root לָחַם (lacham), "to fight," "to wage war." It refers to the active engagement in combat.
- anymore (עוֹד, `od): Again, emphasizes the complete end of hostilities for the time being. The repetition of "no more/anymore" (עוֹד) reinforces the decisive and comprehensive stopping of the battle.
Words-group analysis:
- "So Joab blew a trumpet": This phrase captures the exercise of military authority and Joab's strategic decision. The act of blowing the trumpet is not merely symbolic; it is a clear, audible command recognized by all engaged in combat. It signals a shift from chaotic engagement to ordered cessation.
- "all the people stopped and pursued Israel no more, nor fought anymore": This highlights the immediate and universal effect of Joab's command. The twin phrases "pursued... no more" and "fought anymore" are crucial, demonstrating that both offensive (pursuit) and general combative actions were halted. The designation of "Israel" here is poignant, as it underscores that these were not foreign enemies but fellow countrymen, making the cessation of hostilities particularly significant in preventing further civil slaughter.
2 Samuel 2 28 Bonus section
The cessation of hostilities, signaled by the trumpet, does not imply an end to the underlying conflict between the houses of Saul and David; that war would continue (2 Sam 3:1). Rather, it was a tactical halt to a specific engagement. This scene offers a micro-example of leadership discerning when to press an advantage and when to exercise restraint, even in warfare, to prevent excessive self-destruction. From a theological perspective, it shows human agency within God's broader plan for Israel. Though Abner killed Asahel, and much bloodshed occurred, God limited the overall damage to preserve a remnant for the future unification of the nation under David, which was His will.
2 Samuel 2 28 Commentary
2 Samuel 2:28 marks a critical turning point in the day's brutal civil war. Joab's decision to sound the trumpet, effectively ending the pursuit and battle, signifies a moment of pragmatic restraint amidst intense conflict. While Joab was a fierce and often ruthless commander who valued victory, he also understood the destructive nature of prolonged fratricide. Abner's earlier plea in 2 Samuel 2:26-27, which referenced the indefinite nature of the sword's devastation between brethren, likely resonated with Joab, compelling him to cease hostilities, especially since the main objective (routing Abner's forces) had been achieved. This cessation allowed the men of Israel to retreat without being annihilated, reflecting a shared Israelite identity even in division. The instant obedience to the trumpet blast from both sides testifies to the common military protocols and respect for such signals, even across enemy lines in an internal conflict. This moment of temporary peace underscores the biblical theme of God's overarching sovereignty even in human chaos, as He guides events towards the eventual establishment of David's unified kingdom, minimizing total destruction in the interim.