2 Samuel 2:31

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

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}.

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

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

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

2 Samuel 2:31 records the heavy casualties suffered by Abner's forces after a significant skirmish with David's men. This verse specifically highlights the numerical superiority of David's victory, setting the stage for his eventual consolidation of power.

Context

This verse concludes the account of a bloody encounter at the Pool of Gibeon, which marked a critical early engagement in the civil war between the house of Saul (represented by Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, and his commander Abner) and the emerging kingdom of David, led by Joab. The conflict began with a challenge that escalated into a full-scale battle, as detailed in 2 Samuel 2:12-16. Abner's men, drawn largely from the tribe of Benjamin (Saul's tribe), were routed, and their retreat was pursued fiercely by David's forces, during which Joab's brother Asahel was killed by Abner. This verse provides the grim tally of the human cost on Abner's side.

Key Themes

  • The Cost of Conflict: The verse starkly illustrates the devastating human toll of civil strife. The loss of "three hundred and threescore men" (360 men) underscores the severity of the battle and the tragic consequences of division within Israel.
  • David's Ascendancy: The lopsided casualty count (compared to David's minimal losses in 2 Samuel 2:30) signals God's favor on David and the growing strength of his kingdom. This military victory contributes to the narrative of David's divinely appointed rise to kingship over all Israel, a process described in 2 Samuel 3:1 as "a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David."
  • Consequences of Loyalty: Many of Abner's men were from Benjamin, remaining loyal to Saul's lineage. Their heavy losses highlight the precarious position of those who resisted God's chosen leader, David.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "three hundred and threescore men" uses an archaic English term. "Threescore" means sixty, so the total number of casualties for Abner's side was 360 men. This numerical detail emphasizes the scale of the defeat for the forces of Ish-bosheth.

Practical Application

This historical account serves as a somber reminder of the destructive nature of internal conflict and division. Whether in nations, communities, or even personal relationships, unresolved disputes can lead to significant loss and suffering. The narrative of David's rise, even through such conflict, points to the ultimate triumph of God's purposes, often achieved despite human resistance and through challenging circumstances. It encourages reflection on the importance of unity and seeking God's will to avoid unnecessary strife and its painful consequences.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Kings 20:11

    And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell [him], Let not him that girdeth on [his harness] boast himself as he that putteth it off.

  • 2 Samuel 3:1

    ¶ 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.
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