2 Samuel 2:31

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

But David's servants had killed 360 of Avner's men of Binyamin.

Berean Standard Bible:

but they had struck down 360 Benjamites who were with Abner.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But the servants^{H5650} of David^{H1732} had smitten^{H5221} of Benjamin^{H1144}, and of Abner's^{H74} men^{H582}, so that three^{H7969} hundred^{H3967} and threescore^{H8346} men^{H376} died^{H4191}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for 2 Samuel 2:31

2 Samuel 2:31 is a verse set within the broader narrative of the power struggle and civil war that erupted in Israel following the death of King Saul. The verse specifically references the aftermath of a battle at Gibeon between the forces loyal to Saul's son Ish-bosheth, led by Abner, and the forces of David, who had been anointed king over Judah.

In this context, the verse highlights a significant military engagement where David's men achieved a tactical victory, with the death toll among Abner's forces reaching 360 men. This loss was particularly impactful as it included men from the tribe of Benjamin, Saul's own tribe, as well as Abner's men, who were likely elite troops or close confidants of Abner. The high casualty count underscores the intensity of the conflict and the personal stakes involved for both sides.

The themes present in this verse include the brutality of war, the loyalty and skill of David's warriors, and the ongoing tension within Israel as two factions vied for dominance. It also touches on the theme of divine favor, as the victory for David's forces could be seen as a continuation of the divine backing he received against Goliath and throughout his rise to power. This verse is part of the transition period where David's kingship is being established, and it foreshadows the eventual unification of Israel under his rule after the death of Ish-bosheth and the subsequent allegiance of Abner to David's cause. Historically, this period was marked by political intrigue, shifting alliances, and military confrontations that would shape the future of Israel's monarchy.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1732
   There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּוִד
   Transliteration: Dâvid
   Pronunciation: daw-veed'
   Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5221
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָכָה
   Transliteration: nâkâh
   Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1144
   There are 156 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בִּנְיָמִין
   Transliteration: Binyâmîyn
   Pronunciation: bin-yaw-mene'
   Description: from בֵּן and יָמִין; son of (the) right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Benjamin.
   
5. Strong's Number: H74
   There are 1865 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַבְנֵר
   Transliteration: ʼAbnêr
   Pronunciation: ab-nare'
   Description: or (fully) אֲבִינֵר ; from אָב and נִיר; father of light (i.e. enlightening); Abner, an Israelite; Abner.
   
6. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7969
   There are 381 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: shâlôwsh
   Pronunciation: shaw-loshe'
   Description: or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3967
   There are 512 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֵאָה
   Transliteration: mêʼâh
   Pronunciation: may-aw'
   Description: or מֵאיָה; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction; hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore.
   
9. Strong's Number: H8346
   There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שִׁשִּׁים
   Transliteration: shishshîym
   Pronunciation: shish-sheem'
   Description: multiple of שֵׁשׁ; sixty; sixty, three score.
   
10. Strong's Number: H376
    There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אִישׁ
    Transliteration: ʼîysh
    Pronunciation: eesh
    Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
    
11. Strong's Number: H4191
    There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מוּת
    Transliteration: mûwth
    Pronunciation: mooth
    Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.