2 Samuel 2:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

Complete Jewish Bible:

Avner the son of Ner, commander of Sha'ul's army, had taken Ish-Boshet the son of Sha'ul, brought him over to Machanayim,

Berean Standard Bible:

Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,

American Standard Version:

Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But Abner^{H74} the son^{H1121} of Ner^{H5369}, captain^{H8269} of Saul's^{H7586} host^{H6635}, took^{H3947} Ishbosheth^{H378} the son^{H1121} of Saul^{H7586}, and brought him over^{H5674} to Mahanaim^{H4266};

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Commentary for 2 Samuel 2:8

2 Samuel 2:8 is a verse set within the broader context of the transition of power in Israel following the death of King Saul. The book of 2 Samuel begins with David learning of Saul's death and subsequently being anointed king over Judah in Hebron. Meanwhile, the verse in question, 2 Samuel 2:8, introduces us to Abner, who was Saul's cousin and the commander of his army.

In this verse, Abner takes a significant step in the political landscape of Israel by installing Ish-bosheth, another son of Saul, as king over Israel. Ish-bosheth is not Saul's eldest surviving son (that would be Jonathan, who had died alongside Saul), but Abner chooses him to continue the dynasty of Saul. Abner brings Ish-bosheth to Mahanaim, an important city located east of the Jordan River, which served as a base for Saul's family and loyalists. By doing this, Abner is asserting his own power and influence, as well as attempting to maintain the legacy and control of Saul's house over the tribes of Israel, in opposition to David's growing influence.

The themes present in this verse include loyalty, power struggles, and the complexities of succession in a tribal society. It highlights the tension between the house of Saul and the rising house of David, which will eventually lead to a civil war in Israel. Abner's actions set the stage for the political and military conflicts that will unfold throughout the early chapters of 2 Samuel, as David's legitimacy as king over all Israel is challenged and eventually solidified. This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative, showcasing the human elements of ambition, rivalry, and the quest for dominance in the fragile kingdom of Israel.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5369
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֵר
   Transliteration: Nêr
   Pronunciation: nare
   Description: the same as נִיר; lamp; Ner, an Israelite; Ner.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8269
   There are 368 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שַׂר
   Transliteration: sar
   Pronunciation: sar
   Description: from שָׂרַר; a head person (of any rank or class); captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7586
   There are 335 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁאוּל
   Transliteration: Shâʼûwl
   Pronunciation: shaw-ool'
   Description: passive participle of שָׁאַל; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites; Saul, Shaul.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6635
   There are 463 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָבָא
   Transliteration: tsâbâʼ
   Pronunciation: tsaw-baw'
   Description: or (feminine) צְבָאָה; from צָבָא; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).
   
7. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
8. Strong's Number: H378
   There are 301 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ־בֹּשֶׁת
   Transliteration: ʼÎysh-Bôsheth
   Pronunciation: eesh-bo'-sheth
   Description: from אִישׁ and בֹּשֶׁת; man of shame; Ish-Bosheth, a son of King Saul; Ish-bosheth.
   
9. Strong's Number: H5674
   There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַר
   Transliteration: ʻâbar
   Pronunciation: aw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
   
10. Strong's Number: H4266
    There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מַחֲנַיִם
    Transliteration: Machănayim
    Pronunciation: makh-an-ah'-yim
    Description: dual of מַחֲנֶה; double camp; Machanajim, a place in Palestine; Mahanaim.