2 Samuel 2:8

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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};

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the devastating defeat at Gilboa and the tragic deaths of King Saul and his sons, 2 Samuel 2:8 marks a critical turning point, detailing Abner, Saul's influential cousin and army commander, actively seeking to preserve the fallen dynasty. In a strategic move of political defiance against God's anointed, David, Abner took Ishbosheth, Saul's surviving son, and transported him across the Jordan River to Mahanaim, thereby establishing a rival kingdom and setting the stage for a prolonged and bloody civil war within Israel. This act of human ambition and resistance highlights the immediate fragmentation of the nation and the complexities of leadership transition in the wake of divine decree.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows David's anointing as king over Judah in Hebron after Saul's death on Mount Gilboa, as recounted in [1 Samuel 31](/1_samuel/31 "1 Samuel 31 - Saul's Death") and [2 Samuel 1](/2_samuel/1 "2 Samuel 1 - David's Lament"). While David has been divinely chosen and recognized by his own tribe, the broader nation of Israel remains in flux. Abner's actions here directly oppose the trajectory of God's plan for David's kingship, initiating the conflict that will dominate the early chapters of [2 Samuel](/2_samuel "The Book of 2 Samuel"). The subsequent verses in [2 Samuel 2](/2_samuel/2 "2 Samuel 2 - David Anointed King of Judah; Ishbosheth Made King of Israel") detail the beginning of skirmishes between the forces of David and Ishbosheth, culminating in the declaration of a "long war" between the two houses in [2 Samuel 3:1](/2_samuel/3-1 "2 Samuel 3:1 - The Long War Between the House of Saul and the House of David").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period immediately after a king's death was often one of instability and power struggles in ancient Near Eastern monarchies. Saul's death left a vacuum, and while David had been privately anointed by Samuel years prior ([1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - Samuel Anoints David")), his public recognition was fragmented. Abner, as the commander of Saul's army and his cousin, held significant military and political power. His loyalty to the house of Saul, whether out of genuine devotion or self-preservation, was a powerful force. By moving Ishbosheth to Mahanaim, east of the Jordan, Abner strategically placed him in territory less directly influenced by Judah and David, providing a defensible base from which to consolidate support among the northern tribes who had been loyal to Saul. This geographical separation underscored the political division.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the narrative. It starkly illustrates the theme of **human resistance to divine will**, as Abner actively works against God's clear choice of David as king, setting up a rival claimant. This resistance leads directly to the theme of **division and civil strife** within Israel, contrasting with the eventual **unity under God's chosen king**. Furthermore, it highlights the theme of **political maneuvering and ambition**, as Abner's actions are driven by a desire to maintain power and perpetuate the Saulide dynasty, even with a weak figurehead like Ishbosheth. The verse also subtly introduces the theme of **God's sovereignty prevailing** despite human obstacles, as the narrative will ultimately show David's kingdom expanding and Ishbosheth's falling, fulfilling the divine promise found in passages like [1 Samuel 15:28](/1_samuel/15-28 "1 Samuel 15:28 - The Kingdom Torn from Saul").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abner (Hebrew, _ʼAbnêr'_):** From אָב and נִיר, meaning "father of light (i.e. enlightening)." Abner was a formidable figure, Saul's cousin and the commander of his army. He was a man of considerable influence and military prowess, whose loyalty to the house of Saul was unwavering, at least initially. His actions in this verse demonstrate his executive power and his determination to maintain the existing dynastic line, even in the face of God's clear anointing of David.
* **Ishbosheth (Hebrew, _ʼÎysh-Bôsheth'_):** From אִישׁ and בֹּשֶׁת, meaning "man of shame." This name is likely a scribal alteration of "Ish-baal" (meaning "man of Baal"), as found in [1 Chronicles 8:33](/1_chronicles/8-33 "1 Chronicles 8:33 - Ish-Baal Mentioned"). The change reflects a later religious aversion to associating an Israelite king with the Canaanite deity Baal. Ishbosheth appears to have been a weak and perhaps even cowardly figure, a mere puppet in Abner's hands, lacking the charisma or leadership qualities of his father or David. His very name, "man of shame," ironically foreshadows his inglorious end and the ultimate failure of his reign.
* **Mahanaim (Hebrew, _Machănayim'_):** Dual of מַחֲנֶה, meaning "double camp." This city east of the Jordan River held significant biblical history, notably as the place where Jacob encountered angels ([Genesis 32:2](/genesis/32-2 "Genesis 32:2 - Jacob's Encounter at Mahanaim")). Its strategic location, relatively isolated from David's power base in Judah and offering natural defenses, made it an ideal stronghold for Abner to establish a rival kingdom. The name "double camp" or "two camps" is profoundly symbolic, foreshadowing the division of Israel into two warring factions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host":** This phrase immediately identifies the key antagonist to David's immediate kingship. Abner's lineage ("the son of Ner") establishes his close familial tie to Saul (Ner was Saul's uncle, making Abner Saul's cousin), and his title ("captain of Saul's host," from H6635 _tsâbâʼ_ meaning "mass of persons... organized for war," and H8269 _sar_ meaning "a head person... captain") underscores his immense military and political authority. The "But" signals a counter-action, a deliberate move against the prevailing narrative of David's ascent.
* **"took Ishbosheth the son of Saul":** This clause describes Abner's decisive action. He did not merely support Ishbosheth; he "took" him (H3947 _lâqach_, meaning "to take in the widest variety of applications"), implying a proactive and perhaps even forceful removal from a vulnerable position, to elevate him. The identification "the son of Saul" (H1121 _bên_, meaning "son, builder of the family name") emphasizes Ishbosheth's claim to legitimacy through his father's lineage, despite being one of the weaker and perhaps less prominent of Saul's sons.
* **"and brought him over to Mahanaim;":** This final clause reveals the strategic location chosen for the rival kingdom. Abner "brought him over" (H5674 _ʻâbar_, meaning "to cross over," used widely of any transition) to Mahanaim, situated across the Jordan, providing a safe distance from David's stronghold in Hebron and a base from which Abner could rally support from the northern tribes who had remained loyal to Saul's house. This geographical relocation was a deliberate act of establishing a separate, competing center of power, directly setting the stage for the civil war.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is evident in the immediate juxtaposition of David's anointing in Hebron with Abner's establishment of a rival king. This creates a tension between divine appointment and human manipulation. The name **Ishbosheth** itself functions as **Irony** and **Foreshadowing**; "man of shame" not only reflects a later theological discomfort with "Baal" but also ironically prefigures his weak and ultimately shameful reign and death. The choice of **Mahanaim**, meaning "two camps," serves as potent **Symbolism**, directly foreshadowing the division of the kingdom into two warring factions—the house of David and the house of Saul. The entire verse also functions as **Foreshadowing** for the "long war" that will ensue, setting up the primary conflict of the subsequent chapters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 2:8 is a powerful illustration of human resistance to God's sovereign plan, a recurring theme throughout biblical history. Despite God's clear anointing of David as king over all Israel, Abner's actions represent a political attempt to thwart divine will and establish an alternative, human-devised kingdom. This highlights the tension between divine decree and human agency, demonstrating that while God's ultimate purposes will prevail, human choices can introduce significant delays, conflict, and suffering. The verse underscores the theological truth that true authority and legitimate kingship derive from divine appointment, not human maneuvering or dynastic claims alone. It sets the stage for a narrative that will ultimately affirm God's faithfulness to His promises, even amidst the chaos of civil war.

* [1 Samuel 15:28](/1_samuel/15-28 "The Kingdom Torn from Saul")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "The Lord Frustrates the Plans of the Nations")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "No Wisdom, No Understanding, No Counsel Can Avail Against the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a profound reminder that even when God's will is clear and His chosen leader is evident, human ambition, loyalty, and political maneuvering can create significant obstacles and prolonged conflict. Abner's attempt to establish Ishbosheth as king, though perhaps rooted in a sense of duty to Saul's house, ultimately prolonged a period of instability and civil strife within Israel. For us, this underscores the truth that God's ultimate plan will prevail, but our choices can profoundly influence the path and duration of its unfolding. It challenges us to examine our own loyalties: are they primarily to human institutions, traditions, or personal interests, or are they first and foremost to God's revealed will and His chosen purposes? When we resist God's clear direction, whether individually or corporately, we often invite unnecessary hardship and delay the full realization of His blessings. It also highlights the complexities of leadership transitions and the challenges of unity, even within a community called by God. Our call is to discern God's will and align ourselves with it, trusting in His sovereignty even when the path seems difficult or counter-intuitive to human logic.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life or in my community might I be resisting God's clear direction due to personal loyalties, ambition, or fear of change?**
* **How does the story of Abner and Ishbosheth challenge my understanding of leadership and authority, particularly in spiritual contexts?**
* **In what ways can human actions, even those seemingly well-intentioned, hinder or delay God's work?**

### FAQ

**Why did Abner choose Ishbosheth, and not another of Saul's sons?**

Answer: While the text doesn't explicitly state why Ishbosheth was chosen over other potential surviving sons of Saul, it's implied that he was the most viable candidate for Abner's purposes. Some scholars suggest he may have been the only surviving son of Saul who was of age and not killed at Gilboa, or perhaps he was simply the most pliable and least threatening figurehead for Abner to control. The narrative portrays Ishbosheth as a weak leader, effectively a puppet king under Abner's strong hand, which would have suited Abner's desire to maintain his own power and influence while upholding the semblance of Saulide legitimacy. The other sons of Saul, including Jonathan, had perished with their father at the Battle of Gilboa ([1 Samuel 31:6](/1_samuel/31-6 "1 Samuel 31:6 - Death of Saul and His Sons")).

**What was the significance of Mahanaim as the location for Ishbosheth's kingdom?**

Answer: Mahanaim, meaning "two camps," was a strategically important city located east of the Jordan River in Gilead. Its significance was multi-faceted. Firstly, its geographical location provided a natural barrier (the Jordan River) between Ishbosheth's nascent kingdom and David's stronghold in Hebron, Judah. This offered a measure of security and distance from David's immediate influence. Secondly, the region east of the Jordan had strong ties to the northern tribes, many of whom had remained loyal to Saul's house. By establishing the capital there, Abner could more easily rally support from these tribes. Thirdly, Mahanaim had historical and spiritual significance as the place where Jacob encountered angels ([Genesis 32:2](/genesis/32-2 "Genesis 32:2 - Jacob's Encounter at Mahanaim")), lending a degree of historical legitimacy to the location, even if its current use was for a rival kingdom. The name "two camps" also ironically foreshadowed the division of Israel into two warring factions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The political maneuvering and civil strife depicted in 2 Samuel 2:8, where a human agent attempts to establish a rival kingdom against God's anointed, finds its ultimate resolution and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Abner sought to maintain a human dynasty in defiance of God's chosen king, so too does humanity often resist the reign of God's true Anointed One. However, unlike Ishbosheth, who was a weak and ultimately failed king, Jesus is the divine King, whose authority is not derived from human lineage or political schemes but from God Himself ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). The division and conflict that characterized Israel under two kings foreshadow the spiritual battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world, which are ultimately under the sway of the "prince of the power of the air" ([Ephesians 2:2](/ephesians/2-2 "Ephesians 2:2 - Prince of the Power of the Air")). Yet, Jesus, the true Son of David, does not merely unite a divided nation but brings spiritual unity to all who believe, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down the Wall of Hostility")). His kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), yet it will ultimately prevail over all earthly powers and resistance, culminating in His undisputed reign where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). The temporary triumph of Ishbosheth's kingdom, orchestrated by human will, serves as a stark contrast to the eternal and unshakeable kingdom of Christ, established by divine power and grace.

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

1 Samuel 14:50

And the name of Saul's wife [was] Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host [was] Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.

Genesis 32:2

And when Jacob saw them, he said, This [is] God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

1 Samuel 17:55

And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son [is] this youth? And Abner said, [As] thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

1 Chronicles 8:33

¶ And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

1 Samuel 26:14

And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who [art] thou [that] criest to the king?

1 Chronicles 9:39

And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

2 Samuel 3:7

¶ And Saul had a concubine, whose name [was] Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and [Ishbosheth] said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?