2 Samuel 2 31

2 Samuel 2:31 kjv

But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.

2 Samuel 2:31 nkjv

But the servants of David had struck down, of Benjamin and Abner's men, three hundred and sixty men who died.

2 Samuel 2:31 niv

But David's men had killed three hundred and sixty Benjamites who were with Abner.

2 Samuel 2:31 esv

But the servants of David had struck down of Benjamin 360 of Abner's men.

2 Samuel 2:31 nlt

But 360 of Abner's men had been killed, all from the tribe of Benjamin.

2 Samuel 2 verses

2 Samuel 2 31 Meaning

This verse narrates the immediate aftermath of the battle at the Pool of Gibeon, describing the flight of Abner and his surviving troops. Having suffered a decisive defeat against Joab's forces, Abner leads his men in a desperate overnight retreat through specific geographical regions: the Arabah, across the Jordan River, and through the area of Bithron, ultimately arriving at Mahanaim. This journey signifies the full extent of their defeat and their return to a stronghold, emphasizing the urgency and duration of their escape.

2 Samuel 2 31 Context

2 Samuel chapter 2 details the initial clashes between the newly anointed King David, ruling from Hebron over Judah, and the house of Saul, represented by Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son, who was made king over Israel by Abner, Saul's former commander. The chapter culminates in a pivotal engagement at the Pool of Gibeon, where twelve men from each side engaged in a deadly hand-to-hand combat (2 Sam 2:12-17). This "contest" escalated into a full-scale battle, in which Joab, David's general, decisively routed Abner's forces. During the chaotic pursuit, Asahel, Joab's swift brother, stubbornly pursued Abner and was regrettably killed by Abner in self-defense (2 Sam 2:18-23). After a parley, Joab ceased the pursuit at sunset. Verse 31 directly follows this cessation, detailing the desperate and sustained retreat of Abner and his remaining men. They cover a significant distance through specific geographic features of the Cisjordan and Transjordan regions to reach a place of security. Historically, this event marks the initial, bloody phase of the long-standing civil war between the two royal houses for control over Israel. Mahanaim, the chosen destination, had become Ish-Bosheth's seat of power.

2 Samuel 2 31 Word analysis

• But: Conjunction indicating a transition or contrast, signifying the next phase after the battle's intensity.

• Abner: (Hebrew: אבנר, ʾAvner). A prominent and seasoned military commander, once the general of King Saul and now the de facto leader and power behind Saul's son, Ish-Bosheth. His flight underscores the severe defeat suffered by the forces of the house of Saul.

• and his men: Refers to the surviving soldiers loyal to Abner and, by extension, to Ish-Bosheth. Their escape signifies that a significant portion of the fighting force was not entirely annihilated.

• fled: (Hebrew: נוּס, nûs). To take flight, to escape. Implies a rapid and urgent movement away from danger, characteristic of a defeated army. The use of this verb clearly establishes their retreat as a desperate act.

• all that night: Emphasizes the duration and arduousness of their journey. Fleeing under the cover of darkness would have provided some protection from immediate pursuit and concealed their exact movements, but it also speaks to the desperation and the immense distance they needed to cover to reach safety.

• through the Arabah: (Hebrew: הָעֲרָבָה, hā-ʿArāvāh). A specific geographical term for the rift valley that runs from the Sea of Galilee southward to the Gulf of Aqaba. Here, it likely refers to the northern section of the Jordan rift valley, south of Gibeon. Its open, arid, and sometimes rugged terrain presented both a challenge and a route for swift movement.

• and crossed over the Jordan: (Hebrew: עָבְרוּ אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּן, ʿāvrû ʾeṯ-hay-Yarədēn). The Jordan River, forming a natural boundary between the west (Cisjordan) and the east (Transjordan). Crossing it represented a move to territory associated with Ish-Bosheth’s base and provided a natural barrier from Joab’s forces, offering a measure of security.

• and went through all Bithron: (Hebrew: וּבָאוּ כָּל־הַבִּתְרוֹן, ū-vāʾû kāl-hab-Biṯrôn). Bithron is less clearly identified geographically, meaning "fissured" or "cut through," implying a rugged or mountainous region. "All Bithron" suggests they traversed the entire extent of this challenging terrain. It would have been difficult to navigate, highlighting the physical demands of their retreat, likely referring to the mountainous, broken land immediately east of the Jordan Valley leading up to Mahanaim.

• and came to Mahanaim: (Hebrew: וַיָּבֹאוּ מַחֲנַיִם, vay-yāvoʾû Maḥanayim). A strategically significant city in Transjordan (modern-day Jordan), its name meaning "two camps." It was Ish-Bosheth's capital (2 Sam 2:8) and served as his primary stronghold, providing a safe haven and base of operations for the remnant of Saul’s house. This was the ultimate destination of their desperate flight.

• Abner and his men fled all that night: This phrase vividly portrays a determined and exhaustive military retreat. Fleeing under the cover of darkness indicates a strategy to evade further immediate pursuit and suggests the magnitude of their defeat that necessitated such urgency and effort. It emphasizes both the desperation and Abner’s leadership in successfully extricating his surviving forces.

• through the Arabah, and crossed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron: This sequence details a geographically precise and arduous escape route. It indicates a significant distance covered through diverse terrain, from the open valley (Arabah), across a major river barrier (Jordan), and then through challenging, broken country (Bithron). This level of detail highlights the reality of their physically demanding journey to safety, showcasing the logistical efforts of military maneuver even in defeat.

• and came to Mahanaim: This final phrase marks the successful conclusion of their harrowing journey. Mahanaim serves not merely as a physical destination but a strategic sanctuary and a place of renewed stability for the defeated forces, being the center of Ish-Bosheth's short-lived kingdom.

2 Samuel 2 31 Bonus section

• The meticulous detailing of the geographical route in this verse—Arabah, Jordan, Bithron, and Mahanaim—underscores the biblical narrative's rootedness in actual topography and adds authenticity to the account. These were well-known regions for ancient Israelites, conveying a clear picture of the demanding escape.
• The phrase "all that night" is significant; it indicates not merely an immediate withdrawal but a prolonged, strenuous journey conducted under conditions that provided cover yet demanded relentless effort. This shows the discipline of the troops even in a rout.
• Mahanaim (meaning "two camps") had ancient spiritual significance as the place where Jacob met angels (Gen 32:2). For Abner and his men, it was a practical military stronghold and Ish-Bosheth's capital, but its biblical history hints at its enduring importance as a place of refuge or divine encounter. This duality is also evident later when David himself flees to Mahanaim during Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 17).
• The use of "Bithron" being "all Bithron" (kol ha-Bithron) emphasizes that the terrain traversed was extensive and uniformly rugged or difficult. This term itself (related to 'cutting' or 'fissure') paints a vivid picture of the challenging geographical obstacles overcome during their retreat.
• Despite their significant loss of men in the preceding engagement, Abner successfully extracts his surviving forces and brings them to their strategic capital, demonstrating military leadership under severe pressure. This preservation of his army meant the conflict between the house of Saul and David would inevitably continue.

2 Samuel 2 31 Commentary

2 Samuel 2:31 succinctly describes the immediate strategic outcome of the initial battle between David and Saul's houses: a decisive military defeat for Abner and Ish-Bosheth, necessitating a rapid and extensive retreat. The specifics of their flight – "all that night" and the detailed geographical route (Arabah, Jordan, Bithron, Mahanaim) – underscore the depth of their desperation and the strategic acumen required for such a successful disengagement under duress. Abner, despite his arrogance and the tactical blunders that led to defeat, demonstrates a crucial skill of generalship by preserving the core of his army. Their destination, Mahanaim, was chosen deliberately as it served as Ish-Bosheth's stronghold, signifying a retreat to their base of power and safety rather than a complete dispersal. This verse marks the tactical end of the initial conflict, yet sets the stage for the continued "long war" (2 Sam 3:1) between the rival kingdoms, emphasizing that even in retreat, the conflict was far from over. Spiritually, it reflects that even after setbacks, a refuge or place of strength might be sought to reorganize and continue the struggle.