What number verse is 2 Samuel 2:31 in the Bible?

2 Samuel 2:31 is the 8,081st verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — 2 Samuel 2:31 sits at position 8,081.

Translation

King James Version

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

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KJV (with Strong's)

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.

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Complete Jewish Bible

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

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Berean Standard Bible

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

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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.

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World English Bible Messianic

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

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Geneva Bible (1599)

But the seruants of Dauid had smitten of Beniamin, and of Abners men, so that three hundreth and threescore men dyed.

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Young's Literal Translation

and the servants of David have smitten of Benjamin, even among the men of Abner, three hundred and sixty men--they died.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Second Samuel 2:31 delivers the stark casualty report from the brutal skirmish at the Pool of Gibeon, revealing that three hundred and threescore (360) men from the tribe of Benjamin and Abner's forces perished. This verse serves as a grim, decisive conclusion to a pivotal early engagement in the nascent civil war between the dwindling house of Saul and the rising kingdom of David, powerfully underscoring David's burgeoning military dominance and foreshadowing his eventual, God-ordained consolidation of power over all Israel.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: This verse provides the grim statistical aftermath and immediate summary of the fierce battle that erupted at the Pool of Gibeon. The conflict began with a seemingly ritualized challenge between twelve young men from each side, as vividly recounted in 2 Samuel 2:12-16, which quickly escalated from a personal duel into a full-scale, bloody rout of Abner's forces. The preceding verse, 2 Samuel 2:30, intentionally highlights the astonishing disparity in casualties, reporting that David's men suffered only nineteen dead, in addition to Asahel. This stark numerical contrast not only emphasizes the overwhelming victory of David's forces but also subtly underscores the divine favor resting upon David's cause, setting the stage for the protracted and bitter conflict explicitly labeled as the "long war" between the two houses in 2 Samuel 3:1.
Historical & Cultural Context: The events detailed in 2 Samuel 2 unfold during a highly volatile and transitional period in Israel's history, immediately following the tragic deaths of King Saul and his sons at the Battle of Gilboa. The nation was deeply fractured: the northern tribes, largely swayed by Abner's influence, had crowned Saul's surviving son, Ish-bosheth, as their king, while the tribe of Judah had already anointed David king in Hebron. Gibeon, strategically situated north of Jerusalem, became a critical flashpoint in this simmering civil war. The significant presence of men from Benjamin, Saul's own tribe, among Abner's casualties vividly illustrates the deeply entrenched tribal loyalties and the profound internal divisions tearing Israel apart. The initial "challenge" and the subsequent full-scale battle reflect the brutal realities of ancient Near Eastern warfare, where personal combat could rapidly spiral into widespread slaughter, and the relentless pursuit of a routed enemy was a common and accepted tactic to maximize victory and demoralize the opposition.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully encapsulates several profound themes central to the narrative of David's rise. Firstly, it starkly illustrates The Cost of Conflict, particularly the devastating human toll of internal strife. The loss of 360 men from one side in a single engagement tragically underscores the consequences of a divided nation, a theme consistently echoed throughout the Old Testament concerning the perils of disunity, as seen in the tribal divisions described in Judges 5:15-17. Secondly, the dramatically lopsided casualty count unequivocally reinforces David's Ascendancy and the undeniable divine hand guiding his inexorable rise to kingship. This decisive military victory, following David's anointing by Samuel in 1 Samuel 16, serves as tangible, irrefutable evidence of God's blessing and active involvement in his cause, standing in stark contrast to the rapidly dwindling power and influence of Saul's house. Finally, the heavy losses incurred by those loyal to Saul's lineage, especially from the tribe of Benjamin, powerfully speak to the Consequences of Resisting God's Chosen Leader, a recurring and potent motif throughout the unfolding narrative of David's establishment as the legitimate king over all Israel.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Servants (Hebrew, ʻebed', H5650): This term refers to "a servant," often implying a bondman or one in servitude. In this context, "servants of David" denotes his loyal retainers, soldiers, and followers. The word emphasizes their allegiance and active role in carrying out David's military objectives, highlighting their effectiveness and the disciplined nature of David's burgeoning army.
Benjamin (Hebrew, Binyâmîyn', H1144): Derived from "son of (the) right hand," this refers to the youngest son of Jacob, and by extension, the powerful tribe descended from him, which was also King Saul's tribe. Its specific mention among the casualties underscores the tribal dimension of the civil war, indicating that David's forces were directly engaging and defeating members of the tribe most closely associated with the former king's house, thus weakening Ish-bosheth's core support.
Died (Hebrew, mûwth', H4191): This primitive root means "to die" (literally or figuratively), or causatively, "to kill." In this verse, it signifies the ultimate and irreversible outcome for the 360 men. While David's men "smote" them, the result was their death, emphasizing the finality and gravity of the battle's consequences. It is a direct and unambiguous statement of the human cost of the conflict.

Verse Breakdown

"But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men": This opening clause immediately establishes the victorious party—"the servants of David"—as the active agents of the defeat, using the verb "smitten" (from nākāh', H5221), which denotes a forceful, decisive, and often violent striking or killing. It then precisely identifies their victims: men from the tribe of "Benjamin" (Saul's tribe, highlighting the internal, tribal nature of the conflict) and more broadly, "Abner's men," encompassing all the forces under Abner's command, who represented the military strength of Ish-bosheth's fragile kingdom. This clause underscores the direct engagement and the military effectiveness of David's loyalists.
"[so that] three hundred and threescore men died": This concluding phrase delivers the grim, quantifiable outcome of the battle. The implied "so that" in the KJV translation correctly conveys the direct causal link between the smiting and the resulting fatalities. The specific numerical detail, "three hundred and threescore" (360), provides a precise and impactful measure of the human cost. This exact figure, especially when juxtaposed with the minimal losses on David's side, serves to concretize the overwhelming nature of Abner's defeat and the decisive magnitude of David's victory, lending an air of historical accuracy and emphasizing the severe blow dealt to the house of Saul.

Literary Devices

The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. Numerical Detail is prominently featured, with the precise count of "three hundred and threescore men" providing a stark, almost clinical, measure of the devastation. This specificity not only lends a sense of historical accuracy but also powerfully emphasizes the sheer scale of the defeat suffered by Abner's forces. There is a profound Contrast or Juxtaposition implicitly drawn with the casualty count of David's men in 2 Samuel 2:30, which dramatically highlights the overwhelming nature of David's victory and the clear indication of divine favor upon his side. The grim tally also evokes a strong sense of Pathos, inviting the reader to reflect deeply on the immense human cost of civil war and the tragic consequences of a divided nation. Furthermore, the decisive victory and heavy losses inflicted upon the opposing side serve as powerful Foreshadowing of David's inevitable triumph and his ultimate consolidation of power over all Israel, reinforcing the narrative's overarching theological theme of God's sovereign plan for the establishment of the Davidic dynasty.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

The heavy casualty count in 2 Samuel 2:31 serves as a stark and sobering reminder of the tragic consequences of human resistance to God's ordained plan and the devastating impact of internal strife. While David's men achieved a decisive military victory, the significant loss of life, even among those opposing God's chosen king, underscores the inherent sorrow and pain embedded in conflict, particularly within a nation meant to be united under divine covenant. The theological implication is clear: God's sovereign purposes will ultimately prevail, but human opposition, pride, and division often incur a heavy and painful cost. This battle, though bloody and regrettable in its human toll, was a necessary, albeit difficult, step in the divinely orchestrated establishment of the Davidic kingdom, which was absolutely central to God's unfolding redemptive plan for Israel. It powerfully demonstrates that divine sovereignty can work through the crucible of difficult and violent human events to bring about His ultimate and righteous will.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The grim tally of 2 Samuel 2:31 resonates across millennia, serving as a profound historical echo that reverberates with timeless truths about the destructive nature of division and the ultimate, unwavering triumph of God's purposes. In any sphere of life—be it a nation, a local community, a family, or even within the body of Christ, the church—unresolved conflict, tribalism, and a stubborn refusal to acknowledge and submit to God's leading can lead to immense suffering, profound loss, and lasting scars. This passage challenges us to soberly consider the "casualties" of our own disagreements: broken relationships, squandered opportunities for spiritual growth and ministry, and the insidious creep of spiritual stagnation. It serves as a potent reminder that while God's overarching plan will always prevail, the path to its fulfillment can be agonizingly fraught with pain when human pride, entrenched loyalties, or self-interest stubbornly resist divine alignment. True victory, from God's perspective, often involves profound humility, diligent pursuit of reconciliation, and a sacrificial willingness to lay down personal agendas for the greater good of His kingdom. We are called, as followers of Christ, to be active peacemakers, earnestly seeking unity and humbly submitting to God's appointed leadership, recognizing that genuine peace and flourishing flow from aligning our will with His.

Questions for Reflection

What "civil wars" or deep-seated divisions currently exist in my own life, within my community, or in my church, and what is their true, often unseen, cost?
How can I more effectively discern God's will and courageously align myself with His purposes, even when it demands challenging existing loyalties, comfortable traditions, or personal preferences?
In what specific ways might I, perhaps unknowingly, be contributing to disunity or conflict, and what concrete steps can I take today towards fostering reconciliation, healing, and genuine peace?
How does the disproportionate and decisive victory of David's men, despite being outnumbered, encourage me to place my trust more fully in God's sovereign power and unwavering favor, especially when I feel overwhelmed or face seemingly insurmountable odds?

FAQ

Why is the specific number "three hundred and threescore" (360) men highlighted?

Answer: The specific number of 360 casualties for Abner's forces, particularly when contrasted with the remarkably minimal losses (only 19 men plus Asahel) for David's side in 2 Samuel 2:30, serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it provides a concrete, almost journalistic, detail that lends credibility, gravity, and a sense of historical accuracy to the account. More importantly, it dramatically emphasizes the decisive nature of David's victory and the overwhelming defeat suffered by the house of Saul. This stark numerical disparity powerfully underscores the divine favor resting upon David, signaling that God was actively working to establish his kingdom, even through the crucible of civil war. It visually represents the rapid weakening of Saul's house and the undeniable strengthening of David's, demonstrating a clear shift in divine allegiance and power.

What was the significance of men from "Benjamin" being among the casualties?

Answer: The specific mention of "Benjamin" is profoundly significant because it was the tribe of the deceased King Saul. This detail highlights the deep tribal loyalties and regional divisions that fueled the civil war. Many of the men fighting for Ish-bosheth and Abner would have been Saul's kinsmen, bound by strong tribal allegiance to his lineage and the established royal family. Their heavy losses signify the direct and painful conflict between the old, fading order (Saul's house) and the new, divinely appointed order (David's house). It underscores that even those with strong, traditional loyalties were falling in opposition to God's unfolding plan for David's kingship, further weakening the political and military base of Ish-bosheth's reign and illustrating the cost of resisting God's sovereign will.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The grim tally of 2 Samuel 2:31, while detailing a bloody historical conflict that solidified David's earthly reign, ultimately points forward to the infinitely greater and more profound victory of God's true anointed King, Jesus Christ. David, as God's chosen king, serves as a significant prefigurement of Christ, who comes not to conquer by the earthly sword and the slaughter of His enemies, but by the ultimate, self-sacrificial love demonstrated on the cross. The casualties of Abner's men represent the devastating cost of humanity's rebellion against God's sovereign rule, a rebellion that ultimately led to the dire need for a perfect, atoning sacrifice. Unlike the battlefield at Gibeon, Christ's decisive victory on the cross involved His own suffering and death, not the physical annihilation of His adversaries. Through His death and glorious resurrection, Jesus decisively "smote" the powers of sin, death, and the spiritual forces of darkness, achieving a victory far more comprehensive and eternal than any earthly battle (Colossians 2:15). He is the true King who unites all people, breaking down the dividing walls of hostility—be they tribal, ethnic, or spiritual—through His very body (Ephesians 2:14-16). Jesus offers profound peace and reconciliation where the old order brought division and death. The "long war" of human sin and rebellion against God finds its decisive and final end in Christ's reign, where His kingdom is established not by force or bloodshed, but by grace, truth, and the drawing power of His love, ultimately drawing all creation to Himself (John 12:32). He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world, offering eternal life where the old covenant and human conflict could only bring death (John 1:29).

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Commentary on 2 Samuel 2 verses 25–32

25 ¶ And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.

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?

27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.

28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.

29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.

30 And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.

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

32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.

Here, I. Abner, being conquered, meanly begs for a cessation of arms. He rallied the remains of his forces on the top of a hill (Sa2 2:25), as if he would have made head again, but becomes a humble supplicant to Joab for a little breathing-time, Sa2 2:26. He that was most forward to fight was the first that had enough of it. He that made a jest of bloodshed (Let the young men arise and play before us, Sa2 2:14) is now shocked at it, when he finds himself on the losing side, and the sword he made so light of drawing threatening to touch himself. Observe how his note is changed. Then it was but playing with the sword; now, Shall the sword devour for ever? It had devoured but one day, yet to him it seemed forever, because it went against him; and very willing he is now that the sun should not go down upon the wrath. Now he can appeal to Joab himself concerning the miserable consequences of a civil war: Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? It will be reflected upon with regret when the account comes to be made up; for, whoever gets in a civil war, the community is sure to lose. Perhaps he refers to the bitterness that there was in the tribes of Israel, in the end of their war with Benjamin, when they wept sorely for the desolations which they themselves had made, Jdg 21:2. Now he begs of Joab to sound a retreat, and pleads that they were brethren, who ought not thus to bite and devour one another. He that in the morning would have Joab bid the people fall upon their brethren now would have him bid them lay down their arms. See here, 1. How easy it is for men to use reason when it makes for them who would not use it if it made against them. If Abner had been the conqueror, we should not have had him complaining of the voraciousness of the sword and the miseries of a civil war, nor pleading that both sides were brethren; but, finding himself beaten, all these reasonings are mustered up and improved for the securing of his retreat and the saving of his scattered troops from being cut off. 2. How the issue of things alters men's minds. The same thing which looked pleasant in the morning at night looked dismal. Those that are forward to enter into contention will perhaps repent it before they have done with it, and therefore had better leave it off before it be meddled with, as Solomon advises. It is true of every sin (O that men would consider it in time!) that it will be bitterness in the latter end. At the last it bites like a serpent those on whom it fawned.

II. Joab, though a conqueror, generously grants it, and sounds a retreat, knowing very well his master's mind and how averse he was to the shedding of blood. He does indeed justly upbraid Abner with his forwardness to engage, and lays the blame upon him that there had been so much bloodshed as there was (Sa2 2:27): "Unless thou hadst spoken," that is, "hadst given orders to fight, hadst bidden the young men arise and play before us, none of us would have struck a stroke, nor drawn a sword against our brethren. Thou complainest that the sword devours, but who first unsheathed it? Who began? Now thou wouldst have the people parted, but remember who set them on to fight. We should have retired in the morning if thou hadst not given the challenge." Those that are forward to make mischief are commonly the first to complain of it. This might have served to excuse Joab if he had pushed on his victory, and made a full end of Abner's forces; but like one that pitied the mistake of his adversaries, and scorned to make an army of Israelites pay dearly for the folly of their commander, he very honourably, by sound of trumpet, put a stop to the pursuit (Sa2 2:28) and suffered Abner to make an orderly retreat. It is good husbandry to be sparing of blood. As the soldiers were here very obsequious to the general's orders, so he, no doubt, observed the instructions of his prince, who sought the welfare of all Israel and therefore not the hurt of any.

III. The armies being separated, both retired to the places whence they came, and both marched in the night, Abner to Mahanaim, on the other side Jordan (Sa2 2:29), and Joab to Hebron, where David was, Sa2 2:32. The slain on both sides are computed. On David's side only nineteen men were missing, besides Asahel (Sa2 2:30), who was worth more than all; on Abner's side 360, Sa2 2:31. In civil wars formerly great slaughters had been made (as Jdg 12:6; Jdg 20:44), in comparison with which this was nothing. It is to be hoped that they had grown wiser and more moderate. Asahel's funeral is here mentioned; the rest they buried in the field of battle, but he was carried to Bethlehem, and buried in the sepulchre of his father, Sa2 2:32. Thus are distinctions made between the dust of some and that of others; but in the resurrection no other difference will be made but that between godly and ungodly, which will remain for ever.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 25–32. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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