2 Samuel 2:17
And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
And there was a very {H3966} sore {H7186} battle {H4421} that day {H3117}; and Abner {H74} was beaten {H5062}, and the men {H582} of Israel {H3478}, before {H6440} the servants {H5650} of David {H1732}.
The battle that day was very fierce; Avner and the men of Isra'el were beaten by David's servants.
The battle that day was intense, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David.
And the battle was very sore that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
Cross-References
-
2 Samuel 3:1 (4 votes)
ยถ Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
Commentary
Context
This verse marks a pivotal moment in the early days of King David's reign, immediately following the death of King Saul. Though David had been anointed king over Judah in Hebron, the rest of Israel, under the influence of Saul's general, Abner, had proclaimed Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, king. This led to a period of civil war between the "house of David" and the "house of Saul." The verse describes the escalation of conflict from an initial, deadly challenge at the pool of Gibeon between small groups of fighters to a full-scale battle.
Meaning and Significance
Second Samuel 2:17 succinctly records the outcome of this major engagement: the forces loyal to Ish-bosheth and led by Abner suffered a significant defeat at the hands of David's men, led by Joab. The phrase "very sore battle" emphasizes the intensity and severity of the conflict. This victory was crucial for David, signaling divine favor and strengthening his position as the legitimate ruler in the eyes of God, paving the way for the eventual unification of all Israel under his kingship.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insight
The KJV phrase "very sore battle" translates the Hebrew `qashah me'od milchamah` (ืงึธืฉึธืื ืึฐืึนื ืึดืึฐืึธืึธื), which literally means "the battle was very hard" or "very difficult." This emphasizes the ferocity and intensity of the fighting, not just a casual skirmish. The word "beaten" comes from the Hebrew verb `nagaph` (ื ึธืึทืฃ), which means "to smite," "to strike," or "to defeat decisively," indicating a clear and undeniable rout of Abner's army.
Practical Application
This historical account reminds us that God's purposes ultimately prevail, even amidst human conflict and resistance. While we may face "sore battles" in our own lives, whether personal struggles or spiritual conflicts, the narrative encourages faith in God's ultimate sovereignty. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of division and resisting God's appointed will. Just as God ensured an enduring kingdom for David, He works out His plans in our lives and in the world.
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.