2 Samuel2

After Saul's death, David enquired of the LORD and was directed to Hebron, where the men of Judah anointed him king over their house. Simultaneously, Abner, Saul's captain, made Ishbosheth, Saul's son, king over the rest of Israel, establishing a divided kingdom. This division led to an initial confrontation at the pool of Gibeon, escalating into a fierce battle where David's men prevailed, but resulted in the death of Asahel, Joab's brother, at Abner's hand.

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David Anointed King in Hebron

¶ And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.

So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.

And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.

And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.

And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.

Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.

Ishbosheth Established as Rival King

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

And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

War Breaks Out at Gibeon

And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.

And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.

Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.

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 were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.

And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.

Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.

And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.

And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?

Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.

Abner Calls for a Truce

Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Study Notes for 2 Samuel 2

Verse 1

David continues his pattern of seeking divine counsel (through the Urim and Thummim or a prophet) even after Saul's death, demonstrating reliance on God rather than seizing power immediately. Hebron was strategically significant as a major city in Judah.

Verse 2

David’s practice of taking multiple wives was common among ancient Near Eastern kings, partially to solidify alliances and produce heirs, though it stood in tension with the idealized law for kings (Deut. 17:17).

Verse 3

David ensured the safety and settlement of his followers and their families, indicating his responsibility as a leader and establishing a stable base of support in the southern territory.

Verse 4

This anointing by the men of Judah partially fulfilled the earlier prophetic anointing by Samuel (1 Sam. 16). However, because the northern tribes did not participate, this action initiated a period of civil war and divided monarchy.

Verse 5

David’s immediate diplomatic outreach to Jabesh-Gilead is a calculated political move. By honoring those who honored Saul, David shows respect for the deceased king and subtly begins the process of unifying the tribes under his own authority.

Verse 7

David uses the opportunity to encourage the men of Jabesh-Gilead, subtly shifting their perspective from the fallen house of Saul to his new monarchy, offering stability and strength.

Verse 8

Abner, Saul’s cousin and army commander, attempts to preserve the Saulide dynasty by installing Ishbosheth (likely a nickname for Eshbaal, meaning 'man of the Lord') as a puppet king.

Verse 9

Abner strategically placed Ishbosheth in Mahanaim, east of the Jordan, away from David’s stronghold in Hebron and the chaos left by the Philistine defeat. The list of regions shows Ishbosheth claimed authority over most of central and northern Israel.

Verse 10

The note that Ishbosheth reigned for only two years contrasts sharply with the seven and a half years David reigned over Judah (v. 11), highlighting the instability and ultimate failure of the Saulide claim.

Verse 11

This chronological marker sets the duration of the ensuing civil war. David’s patient rule in Hebron demonstrates his commitment to God’s timing, refusing to force the unity of Israel prematurely.

Verse 12

This meeting was likely intended as a political negotiation or a show of force, but it quickly escalated into armed conflict, initiating the official civil war between the two houses.

Verse 13

Joab, David's nephew, emerges here as the fierce and loyal commander of David's forces, paralleling Abner's role for Ishbosheth.

Verse 14

Abner proposes a *śeḥoq* (a game or sport), which quickly turns into a deadly ritual duel designed to test the strength of the opposing sides, rather than an immediate full-scale battle.

Verse 16

The synchronized, fatal nature of the fighting—where each man killed his opponent simultaneously—earned the place the name Helkath-hazzurim, meaning 'Field of Sharp Edges' or 'Field of Sides,' commemorating the tragic duel.

Verse 18

Asahel, known for his incredible speed, was one of the three formidable sons of Zeruiah (David’s sister), alongside Joab and Abishai, who formed the core of David’s military leadership.

Verse 20

Abner attempts to avoid a direct confrontation, recognizing the dangerous political implications of killing a relative of David's primary general, Joab. He seeks to prevent a blood feud.

Verse 21

Abner warns Asahel to fight a less significant soldier and take his armor, demonstrating his desire to avoid the legally binding obligation of blood revenge that would follow if he killed a close relative of Joab.

Verse 23

Abner killed Asahel in self-defense, striking him in the abdomen. This act, though unintentional in its context (Abner tried to warn him off), guarantees a vendetta by Joab, setting up the central conflict of the next chapter.

Verse 24

The pursuit continues until sunset, a natural break in ancient warfare. Joab and Abishai now have a deeply personal motive (blood revenge) driving their military action against Abner.

Verse 26

Abner appeals to Joab based on kinship ('brethren') and common sense, arguing that prolonged civil war only leads to lasting 'bitterness' for the whole nation, reflecting an ethical awareness of the tragedy of internal conflict.

Verse 27

Joab places the blame for the continued pursuit back on Abner, claiming that had Abner not initiated the fighting (v. 14), the battle would have never escalated, thus accepting the truce only after achieving a decisive victory.

Verse 28

The blowing of the trumpet signals the immediate cessation of hostilities, demonstrating the authority of the commanders to negotiate and enforce a sudden truce during the civil war.

Verse 30

The casualty count highlights David’s superior military position, having lost only 20 men (including Asahel) compared to the enemy's significant losses (360 men), demonstrating divine favor and military effectiveness.

Verse 32

The burial of Asahel near Bethlehem ensures that the memory of Abner’s action will remain a source of conflict for Joab and David’s house, foreshadowing the tragic events of 2 Samuel 3.

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2 Samuel2

David Anointed King in Hebron

Ishbosheth Established as Rival King

War Breaks Out at Gibeon

Abner Calls for a Truce

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