2 Samuel 2:12

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

And Abner {H74} the son {H1121} of Ner {H5369}, and the servants {H5650} of Ishbosheth {H378} the son {H1121} of Saul {H7586}, went out {H3318} from Mahanaim {H4266} to Gibeon {H1391}.

Avner the son of Ner and the servants of Ish-Boshet the son of Sha'ul went out from Machanayim to Giv'on;

One day Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

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

Commentary

2 Samuel 2:12 marks a pivotal moment in the early stages of Israel's civil war, setting the stage for the direct confrontation between the house of Saul and the house of David.

Context

Following the tragic deaths of King Saul and his son Jonathan on Mount Gilboa (2 Samuel 1), David was anointed king over the tribe of Judah in Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4). However, Saul's army commander, Abner the son of Ner, took Saul's surviving son, Ishbosheth, and made him king over the rest of Israel from his capital in Mahanaim, east of the Jordan River (2 Samuel 2:8-10). This verse describes Abner's strategic move, leading Ishbosheth's forces westward from Mahanaim to Gibeon, a significant city in Benjamin, signaling an imminent military clash with David's men.

Key Themes

  • Divided Kingdom: The verse vividly illustrates the fractured state of Israel, with two competing claims to the throne and two distinct centers of power. This division would persist for some time.
  • Escalation of Conflict: The journey from Mahanaim to Gibeon is not merely a geographic movement but a clear escalation towards open warfare between the rival factions. It leads directly to the "battle of champions" that follows (2 Samuel 2:14-16).
  • Abner's Influence: Abner is presented as the primary orchestrator of Ishbosheth's reign and the driving force behind the anti-Davidic resistance. His personal ambition and loyalty to Saul's house are central to this period of civil unrest.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "went out" (Hebrew: yatza, ื™ึธืฆึธื) implies a purposeful and significant departure. In this context, it carries the weight of a military expedition or a deliberate move to engage an enemy. It is not a casual journey but a strategic advance, highlighting Abner's intent to assert Ishbosheth's authority and challenge David's growing power.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a historical reminder that even when God's clear purpose is being fulfilled (David's eventual kingship), human ambition, loyalty, and political maneuvering can lead to prolonged conflict and division. It underscores the challenges of leadership transitions and the human tendency to resist divine appointment in favor of established power structures or personal loyalties. The unfolding narrative in 2 Samuel reveals the painful consequences of this division and the ultimate triumph of God's chosen king.

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Cross-References

  • Joshua 9:3 (3 votes)

    ยถ And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

  • Joshua 10:2 (3 votes)

    That they feared greatly, because Gibeon [was] a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it [was] greater than Ai, and all the men thereof [were] mighty.

  • Joshua 10:4 (3 votes)

    Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.

  • Joshua 18:25 (3 votes)

    Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,

  • 2 Samuel 17:14 (2 votes)

    And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite [is] better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

  • Joshua 10:12 (2 votes)

    Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

  • Genesis 32:2 (2 votes)

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