2 Samuel 2:1–32

2:2–3 David is accompanied by his two wives, who are both from the area around Hebron: Ahinoam from Jezreel (1 Sam. 25:43) and Abigail from Carmel (1 Sam. 25:2–3). He also “brought up” (lit., “caused to go up”; cf. 2 Sam. 2:1) all his men and their families, whose numbers have swollen through recent arrivals (1 Chron. 12:1–22). Consequently, Hebron cannot accommodate them, and many live in the surrounding “towns of Hebron”—the same word as “cities” in 2 Samuel 2:1, describing a settlement surrounded by a defensive structure.

2:4b The narrator carefully presents as David’s first royal act one that displays his humanity, political shrewdness, and piety in an incident paralleling Saul’s initial enterprise as king (1 Samuel 11). This act is precipitated by the men of Judah (2 Sam. 2:4a) informing David of what the men of Jabesh-gilead have done regarding Saul’s corpse (1 Sam. 31:11–13).

2:5–7 In response, David conveys a three-part message to Jabesh-gilead. He begins with a commendation of fidelity. He states that they “showed this loyalty” (lit., “did this steadfast love [hesed]”; cf. comment on 9:1), praising them for acting consistently with their covenant relationship with Saul. Moreover, by praying, “May you be blessed by the Lord,” David reminds them of the covenant bond with the Lord, which he shares with them.

Next is a promised reward for faithfulness (2:6). In these changed circumstances David prays for the Lord to reciprocate their display of loyalty by “show[ing] steadfast love and faithfulness” to them. The two closely connected concepts of “steadfast love” and “faithfulness” form a hendiadys (one concept expressed through two terms) that may be rendered “his reliable and steadfast love” (cf. Pss. 25:10; 57:3; 61:7). David hints that the Lord will use him to be the channel of this blessing, as “good” often describes covenant favor (cf. 1 Sam. 24:19; 25:30; 2 Sam. 7:28).

Last is an invitation from David. He urges them to be courageous despite the loss they have suffered. Moreover, since “Saul your lord is dead,” it is appropriate for them to acknowledge another king. Since he has been acclaimed king by Judah, David invites these loyal supporters of Saul to accord him similar recognition, even though they are located across the Jordan, far from his present power base. He does not threaten or coerce, but as the Lord’s anointed he waits on the Lord to extend his rule over all Israel.

2:8 However, the political situation is complicated, as a group of Saul’s supporters remain active in the north. Prominent among them is “Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army” (and Saul’s cousin; 1 Sam. 14:50); he is a powerful figure who here acts as kingmaker. He “took” (Hb. laqakh, Samuel’s word for abuse of power; 1 Sam. 8:11) Saul’s sole surviving son, Ish-bosheth (cf. comment on 1 Sam. 14:49), and “brought him over” to Mahanaim across the Jordan,² out of reach of Philistine attacks—and out of reach of David as well.

2:9 Abner installs the weak and pliable Ish-bosheth as king over the northern tribes in order to bolster Abner’s own influence in the land. It is unclear how much control the regime in the north actually exercised; it was certainly strongest in Gilead, east of the Jordan, but the other areas remained exposed to Philistine attack or even, like Jezreel, under Philistine control.

2:10–11 The regnal formula used to describe Ish-bosheth’s reign (cf. 1 Sam. 13:1) raises the issue of how his two-year reign relates to David’s seven and a half years in Hebron. Abner likely spent some years regrouping his forces after their defeat by the Philistines, so that Ish-bosheth died not long before David left Hebron (cf. 2 Sam. 5:1). “But the house of Judah followed David” indicates a level of popular support not enjoyed by Ish-bosheth.

2:12 “Went out” marks the start of a military operation in which Abner leads troops belonging to Ish-bosheth to Gibeon in Benjaminite territory, close to the border of Judah.³ This attempt to consolidate the regime’s hold on Benjamin is a direct challenge to David.

2:13 Although Joab was mentioned in 1 Samuel 26:6, this is his first appearance as a leading figure, and for the rest of David’s reign he is never far from the action. He is probably close in age to David, his uncle (cf. comment on 2 Sam. 2:18). As a leading general, he later becomes commander of David’s army (8:16; 1 Chron. 11:6). Joab is a complex character, ruthlessly determined to advance his own interests, even against David’s wishes (cf. Response section on 2 Sam. 19:41–20:26). He responds to Abner’s challenge with a display of force, but the ensuing standoff shows that neither wish to begin hostilities. The pool of Gibeon was a well-known feature that has been identified as a substantial reservoir cut out of bedrock in order to store water for the city (Jer. 41:12).

2:14 Although Abner’s proposal is often taken to be an offer of representative combat (cf. 1 Sam. 17:8–9), the verb “compete” usually means to “make sport” or “play”; it seems Abner intends some form of tournament in which the professional soldiers will display their skills. Never one to back off from a challenge, Joab agrees.

2:15 Two groups of combatants get ready, twelve from each side, probably reflecting the twelve tribes of Israel, for the issue at stake concerns who will be ruler of Israel. However, the expression “for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth the son of Saul” hints at limited northern support for his cause.

2:16 Twelve separate contests take place simultaneously, with each bout following a similar course. The combatants are obviously not carrying shields, and each grabs his opponent by the head, probably his beard, and stabs him in the side, inflicting a fatal wound. All twenty-four combatants die, and full-scale battle ensues. This unusual encounter is commemorated by the name “Helkath-hazzurim,” which probably means “field of the sword-edges” (cf. ESV mg.) or “field of the flints.”

2:17 Abner and the men of Israel are defeated in the ensuing fierce conflict. The temporal marker “that day” may imply that the battle lasted throughout the remaining hours of daylight.

2:18 The “three sons of Zeruiah” are David’s nephews—Joab, Abishai, and Asahel—who, contrary to usual custom, are identified by the name of their mother, David’s stepsister (17:25). Their father, who is never named, likely died young and was buried in Bethlehem (2:32). Although Joab is the dominant member of the trio, the order of the names in 1 Chronicles 2:16 indicates he was not the eldest. The youngest brother, Asahel, was a fast runner, a talent that contributes directly to his death.

2:19 To increase his speed, Asahel is lightly armed and does not carry a shield. Not thinking of the danger to himself, he seeks renown by doggedly pursuing Abner, failing to notice how he has become separated from his comrades.

2:20–21 Abner recognizes Asahel and advises him to give up the pursuit. If it is spoil he wants, or some trophy of war, he could easily attack another soldier and strip off his armor or weapons. But Asahel is determined to catch Abner and refuses to give up the chase.

2:22 Abner is sure he can kill Asahel, but he does not want to do so because of the long-term implications of such an action. Although death through self-defense in battle would not incur bloodguilt, Joab would dismiss such a claim as a mere technicality and would feel honor bound to avenge his brother’s death. Apparently Abner is already scheming for a rapprochement with the south and does not want to sour his relationship with those with whom he might be negotiating in the future.

2:23 When Asahel catches up with Abner, Abner can no longer avoid taking action. He stops suddenly and with a backward thrust of his spear strikes his pursuer in the “stomach” (Hb. khomesh; cf. comment on 3:27). A spear might be sharpened at its base in order to stick it into the ground, or perhaps “with the butt of his spear” ought to be translated as “with a backthrust of his spear,”⁴ so that its metal tip pierced Asahel. In either case, the ferocity of Abner’s thrust and the impetus of the running man are sufficient for it to penetrate Asahel and cause instant death. When his comrades catch up with Asahel, the sight of his gruesome injury causes them to stand still out of respect and shock.

2:24 Asahel’s two brothers do not give up the chase, and, as darkness falls, both parties come “to the hill of Ammah,” probably near where the land slopes down into the Jordan Valley.

2:25 The fleeing Benjaminite troops (cf. v. 15) regroup behind Abner and make a stand in a good position on the top of a hill, ready to defend themselves.

2:26 From the hilltop Abner calls to Joab and reasons with him to end the pursuit. To save face for both sides, he does not make a direct appeal but rather asks three rhetorical questions. His first (“Shall the sword devour forever?”) urges that consideration be given to how this action will end. “The sword” represents military activity in general, while “devour” points to inevitable fatalities. His next question (“Do you not know that the end will be bitter?”) emphasizes that Joab knows full well that the death toll will intensify grief throughout the nation. The call to sympathy for fellow Israelites is amplified in the final question: “How long will it be before you tell your people to turn from the pursuit of their brothers?” This raises the prospect of the recurrence of an earlier incident in which the tribe of Benjamin was nearly wiped out in a spell of internal conflict—an outcome the other tribes came to regret bitterly (Judg. 21:2–3).

2:27–28 With an oath Joab solemnly affirms that if Abner had not proposed an end to hostilities, the pursuit would have continued until the following morning. His use of “their brothers” recognizes that this is an internal fight. Looking at Abner’s strong position, Joab realizes that many lives would be lost in storming the hill, and so he blows “the trumpet,” a ram’s horn used to give signals in battle (18:16; 20:22), and calls the pursuit off. But this does not mean he is any less intent on vengeance. He will bide his time.

2:29 The account is rounded off with details regarding how the armies return to their bases. Taking advantage of the darkness, Abner and his forces return to Mahanaim “through the Arabah”—the portion of the rift valley through which the Jordan runs—before moving up the Jabbok Valley to reach Mahanaim.⁵

2:30–31 Joab also retreats. Twenty of David’s forces are dead, including Asahel, singled out as the most significant casualty. If the other nineteen include the initial twelve, then there were only seven additional casualties (plus Asahel) in the subsequent combat. But the far greater death toll among Abner’s men shows that the result was far from a draw. David’s men are clearly the superior force.

2:32 While the other casualties were probably buried on the spot, Asahel’s relationship to David demands greater respect be paid to him, and his remains are taken to Bethlehem, where he is buried alongside his father in the family grave.

It is not clear why “Joab and his men marched all night.” Did Joab consider a forced march advisable because he is apprehensive that the truce will not hold? At any rate, before daybreak they are back in Hebron, a journey of perhaps 30 miles (48 km). The comment that “The day broke upon them” (lit., “it was light for them”) ends the account on a positive note.