2 Samuel 18:7

KJV

Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand [men].

KJV (with Strong's)

Where the people {H5971} of Israel {H3478} were slain {H5062} before {H6440} the servants {H5650} of David {H1732}, and there was there a great {H1419} slaughter {H4046} that day {H3117} of twenty {H6242} thousand {H505} men.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people of Isra'el were defeated there by David's servants; there was a terrible slaughter that day of 20,000 men.

Berean Standard Bible

There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men.

American Standard Version

And the people of Israel were smitten there before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 18:7 vividly describes the catastrophic defeat of Absalom's rebel forces in the decisive battle against King David's loyalists. This verse underscores the immense human cost of the civil war, detailing a devastating slaughter of twenty thousand men from Absalom's army, tragically composed of fellow Israelites, highlighting the brutal consequences of rebellion and internal strife within the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the description of the battle's location in the "forest of Ephraim" ([2 Samuel 18:6](/2_samuel/18-6 "2 Samuel 18:6 - The Battle in the Forest of Ephraim")), emphasizing the treacherous terrain that contributed to the rebels' disarray and high casualties. The preceding chapters detail Absalom's cunning usurpation of the throne, David's forced flight from Jerusalem ([2 Samuel 15:13-14](/2_samuel/15-13 "2 Samuel 15:13-14 - David Flees Jerusalem")), and the gathering of forces on both sides. Verse 7 serves as the grim summary of the battle's outcome, setting the stage for the pursuit and eventual death of Absalom himself, which is recounted in the subsequent verses ([2 Samuel 18:9-15](/2_samuel/18-9 "2 Samuel 18:9-15 - Absalom's Death")). The immense death toll here amplifies the tragedy that will culminate in David's profound grief over his son's demise ([2 Samuel 18:33](/2_samuel/18-33 "2 Samuel 18:33 - David's Lament for Absalom")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conflict described is a civil war, a particularly tragic form of warfare where "the people of Israel" fought against each other. Absalom's rebellion was not merely a political coup but a challenge to the divinely appointed kingship of David, a foundational concept in Israelite theology. The "forest of Ephraim" was likely east of the Jordan River, a region known for its dense woods, which proved disadvantageous for Absalom's larger, less disciplined army. The cultural norm of loyalty to the king, especially a king chosen by God, was deeply ingrained, making Absalom's rebellion a profound betrayal. The high casualty count reflects the brutal reality of ancient warfare, where battles often resulted in overwhelming defeats and mass slaughter rather than negotiated surrender.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully illustrates the **consequences of rebellion**, specifically against divinely ordained authority. Absalom's ambition, fueled by pride and a desire for power, directly led to the death of thousands of his own countrymen, serving as a stark warning against illegitimate challenges to leadership. Furthermore, the decisive victory of David's forces, despite their initial disadvantage, subtly points to **divine sovereignty and justice**, suggesting God's hand in upholding His covenant with David and bringing judgment upon the unrighteous coup. Finally, the staggering number of casualties underscores the profound **tragedy of civil war**, a fratricidal conflict that tore at the very fabric of the nation of Israel, leading to immense national sorrow and personal grief, as movingly depicted in [David's lament](/2_samuel/18-33 "2 Samuel 18:33 - David's Lament for Absalom") over his son's death.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slain (Hebrew, _nagaph'_):** The Hebrew verb נָגַף (nagaph) means "to strike, smite, plague, defeat, or push." It often carries the connotation of a decisive, forceful blow, frequently used in contexts of military defeat or divine judgment (e.g., God striking down enemies). Here, it emphasizes the overwhelming and conclusive nature of the defeat suffered by Absalom's army, indicating not just casualties but a complete rout.
* **Slaughter (Hebrew, _makkah'_):** The noun מַכָּה (makkah) derives from the same root as _nagaph_ and literally means "a blow, a wound, a defeat." It is used to describe a great defeat or a heavy blow, often implying a severe calamity or plague. Its use alongside "slain" reinforces the magnitude and devastating impact of the battle, highlighting the sheer number of lives lost and the severity of the military disaster for Absalom's side.
* **People of Israel (Hebrew, _ʿam Yisraʾel'_):** This phrase is crucial for understanding the tragic nature of the conflict. It emphasizes that those who were killed were not foreign enemies but fellow Israelites. This highlights the internal, fratricidal nature of the war, where the nation was divided against itself, leading to immense sorrow and a profound sense of national loss, rather than a triumphant victory over an external foe.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David":** This clause immediately establishes the setting and the tragic participants of the conflict. "The people of Israel" refers to those who had sided with Absalom, indicating the widespread nature of the rebellion and the internal division it caused. The phrase "before the servants of David" highlights the direct confrontation and the decisive victory of David's loyal forces, emphasizing that this was a confrontation between two factions of the same nation.
* **"and there was there a great slaughter that day":** This phrase directly states the outcome of the battle, emphasizing its devastating scale. The word "great" (גְּדוֹלָה, _gĕdôlâ_) underscores the enormity of the loss of life, reinforcing the idea that this was no minor skirmish but a catastrophic defeat. "That day" points to the swift and decisive nature of the battle's conclusion.
* **"of twenty thousand [men]":** This specific number quantifies the "great slaughter," providing a concrete measure of the human cost. While biblical numbers can sometimes be symbolic, here it serves to convey the immense and shocking scale of the casualties. It signifies a decisive and overwhelming military defeat for Absalom's rebellion, leaving no doubt about the finality of the battle's outcome.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey the gravity and tragedy of the battle. The most prominent is **Numerical Emphasis**, with the precise figure of "twenty thousand [men]" serving to underscore the immense scale of the slaughter and the devastating human cost of the conflict. This specific number is not merely factual reporting but functions to evoke a sense of shock and sorrow. There is also a subtle **Antithesis** inherent in the phrase "the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David," highlighting the tragic internal division where fellow countrymen fought and killed one another, rather than a unified nation facing an external enemy. The repetition of the idea of death through "slain" and "slaughter" also serves as **Repetition for Emphasis**, hammering home the brutal reality of the battle's outcome and the profound loss of life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The devastating slaughter described in 2 Samuel 18:7 serves as a powerful theological statement about the consequences of rebellion against God's anointed and the tragic cost of human ambition. While not explicitly stated as divine intervention, the overwhelming defeat of Absalom's forces can be understood within the biblical narrative as God upholding His covenant with David and bringing judgment upon a rebellious son who sought to usurp the throne through violence and deceit. This event underscores the biblical principle that sin, particularly that which undermines divinely established order, carries severe and often widespread consequences, affecting not only the perpetrator but also those who follow them. It reveals the destructive nature of internal strife and the deep sorrow that accompanies even a necessary victory when it comes at the cost of national unity and countless lives.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Romans 13:2](/romans/13-2 "Romans 13:2 - Authority Instituted by God")
* [Numbers 16:31-35](/numbers/16-31 "Numbers 16:31-35 - The Earth Swallows Korah's Rebellion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark reality of 2 Samuel 18:7 compels us to reflect on the profound and often tragic consequences of human choices, especially those driven by pride, ambition, and a disregard for established authority. This verse is a somber reminder that rebellion, whether against civil leaders, spiritual authority, or even within families, inevitably leads to division, suffering, and destruction. It challenges us to consider the immense value of peace, unity, and submission to righteous governance, even when imperfect. For believers, it underscores the importance of humility, seeking reconciliation over conflict, and recognizing that true authority ultimately flows from God. The sorrow that accompanies such a victory, as seen in David's later lament, also teaches us that even in triumph, there can be deep grief over loss, particularly when it involves those we love, regardless of their actions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Absalom's rebellion and its outcome challenge my own tendencies towards pride or self-assertion against authority?**
* **What lessons can I draw from the "great slaughter" about the destructive nature of division within families, communities, or the church?**
* **In what ways does this historical account encourage me to pray for and support those in leadership, even when I disagree with them?**
* **How does David's eventual grief over Absalom, despite the military victory, inform my understanding of justice and mercy?**

### FAQ
**Was the "forest of Ephraim" battle truly so deadly, or is "twenty thousand" a symbolic number?**

Answer: While biblical numbers can sometimes be used for symbolic emphasis, the description in [2 Samuel 18](/2_samuel/18 "2 Samuel 18 - The Death of Absalom") strongly suggests a literal and devastating defeat. The text emphasizes the difficult terrain of the "forest of Ephraim" ([2 Samuel 18:6](/2_samuel/18-6 "2 Samuel 18:6 - The Battle in the Forest of Ephraim")), which contributed to the disarray of Absalom's forces, making them easy targets. A casualty count of twenty thousand, while massive, is not unprecedented in ancient warfare for a decisive rout. The purpose of recording such a high number is to impress upon the reader the catastrophic scale of the defeat for Absalom's rebellion and the immense human cost of this civil war.

**What was the significance of "the people of Israel" being slain by "the servants of David"?**

Answer: This distinction is crucial because it highlights the tragic nature of a civil war. "The people of Israel" refers to those Israelites who had joined Absalom's rebellion, while "the servants of David" were loyal Israelites. This was not a battle against a foreign enemy but a fratricidal conflict within the nation. The fact that Israelites were killing fellow Israelites underscores the profound division and sorrow caused by Absalom's usurpation. It emphasizes the internal wound inflicted upon the nation, a theme that resonates deeply in [David's subsequent lament](/2_samuel/18-33 "2 Samuel 18:33 - David's Lament for Absalom") over his son's death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic civil war culminating in the "great slaughter" of 2 Samuel 18:7, born out of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David, serves as a poignant Old Testament shadow pointing to the ultimate rebellion of humanity against God and the profound need for a true and lasting peace. Absalom's ambition led to death and division, a stark contrast to the perfect Son, Jesus Christ, who came not to seize a throne by force but to humble Himself, even to death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation")). While this verse details a bloody physical conflict, it ultimately speaks to the spiritual civil war raging within humanity due to sin, which separates us from God ([Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your Sins Have Separated You")). The "great slaughter" underscores the devastating consequences of sin and rebellion, foreshadowing the ultimate judgment that sin deserves. However, Christ, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly bore the full weight of that judgment, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to end the spiritual war, reconcile humanity to God ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")), and establish a perfect, eternal kingdom of peace and righteousness where no such tragic slaughter will ever occur ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Sorrow")). The flawed and sorrowful victory of David's reign ultimately gives way to the perfect and triumphant reign of the [Prince of Peace](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 24:21

¶ My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: [and] meddle not with them that are given to change:

Proverbs 11:21

¶ [Though] hand [join] in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

2 Chronicles 13:16

And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.

2 Chronicles 13:17

And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.

2 Samuel 15:6

And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 2:26

Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?

2 Chronicles 28:6

¶ For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, [which were] all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.