2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 2

Morris - This challenge to have a dozen young men from each side "play" (hold a contest) (a euphemism for engaging in mortal combat) was an occasional means of determining the winner in an imminent battle, similar to the contest between David and Goliath. In this case, however, all the initial combatants killed each other, and the battle spread with deadly intensity between the two factions of the children of Israel. Believer's Study Bible - The attempt to avert civil war by settling the issue with 12 valiant men from each side was a failure. The word "compete" is a poor euphemism for mortal combat. Even after this combat was finished, the larger fight continued. Hold a contest (07832)(sachaq) means to laugh. Qal - laugh, mock; piel - play, rejoice, revel, celebrate, dance, engage in a military contest; hiphil - scorn. TWOT says "It may mean to perform combat (II Sam 2:14; KB, p. 918), to play tambourines and dance (I Sam 18:6–7), or to celebrate (II Sam 6:5, 21, NASB) the restoration of the ark." Gilbrant - The Hebrew verb sāchaq means “to laugh,” “to amuse,” “to mock,” “to rejoice” or “to struggle.” A cognate form is found only in the Ethiopic term sahaqa, meaning “to laugh.” The root of sāchaq conveys the general idea of laughter, especially in the Qal, whether in joy or amazement, and can connote either positive or negative uses. In a positive sense, Job smiled in spite of his terrible plight (Job 29:24); the wife of noble character can “rejoice in time to come” (Prov. 31:25); the opposite of weeping is identified as laughing (Ecc. 3:4). Sāchaq has a negative usage as well. For example, young men laughed mockingly at Job’s misfortune (Job 30:1) in contrast to the respect he had been honored with previously (see Job 29:7–11). Also, the destruction of Jerusalem was laughed at by her neighbors (Lam. 1:7), and the Chaldeans “shall deride every strong hold” (Hab. 1:10) of their weaker enemies. Metaphorically, the wild donkey scornfully laughed at cities (Job 39:7), the ostrich laughed at the horse and its rider whom she could easily outrun (v. 18), the brave warhorse laughed in the face of fear (v. 22) and the sea monster Leviathan laughed at man’s feeble weapons (41:29). Further, obstinate sinners were laughed at by God (Pss. 2:4; 37:13; 59:8), by Wisdom (Prov. 1:26) and by righteous men (Ps. 52:6). Samson was forced to serve as a joker by amusing and entertaining the Philistine crowd (Judg. 16:27). References to sāchaq in the Piel stem connote the idea of “to be merry,” in addition “to laugh.” For example, the Philistines “made sport” of Samson by forcing him to entertain them, possibly with feats of strength (Judg. 16:25). Jeremiah prophesied of singing and rejoicing at the time when Israel would be restored (Jer. 30:19; 31:4). The prophet disliked the company of revelers (Jer. 15:17). Sāchaq illustrates the merriment of children (Zech. 8:5), wild animals playing in the mountains (Job 40:20) and the Leviathan frolicking in the sea (Ps. 104:26). The women of Israel danced and sang for Saul and David because of their military prowess (1 Sam. 18:7), and David danced before God in thanksgiving, raising the disdain of Saul’s daughter Michal (1 Chr. 15:29; cf. 2 Sam. 6:5, 21). Elsewhere, men from the armies of Saul and David conducted a contest of martial sport, an idea originating from Abner and Joab, the generals of each army (2 Sam. 2:14). The twelve-on-twelve competition proved indecisive, resulting in fierce battle that day. The one instance of sāchaq in the Hiphil stem involves the people’s ridicule and scorn of Hezekiah’s couriers, who delivered the king’s message encouraging everyone to celebrate the Passover in their homes once again (2 Chr. 30:10). (Complete Biblical Library) Sachaq - 36v - amuse(1), amusing(1), celebrate(2), celebrating(3), hold a contest(1), joking(1), laugh(6), laughed them to scorn(1), laughs(6), merrymakers(2), mock(1), mocked(1), play(2), played(1), playing(1), rejoicing(2), scorns(1), smiled(1), smiles(1), sport(1). Jdg. 16:25; Jdg. 16:27; 1 Sam. 18:7; 2 Sam. 2:14; 2 Sam. 6:5; 2 Sam. 6:21; 1 Chr. 13:8; 1 Chr. 15:29; 2 Chr. 30:10; Job 5:22; Job 29:24; Job 30:1; Job 39:7; Job 39:18; Job 39:22; Job 40:20; Job 41:5; Job 41:29; Ps. 2:4; Ps. 37:13; Ps. 52:6; Ps. 59:8; Ps. 104:26; Prov. 1:26; Prov. 8:30; Prov. 8:31; Prov. 26:19; Prov. 29:9; Prov. 31:25; Eccl. 3:4; Jer. 15:17; Jer. 30:19; Jer. 31:4; Lam. 1:7; Hab. 1:10; Zech. 8:5 2 Samuel 2:15 So they arose and went over by count, twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. TWELVE ON TWELVE So they arose and went over by count, twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David - To the winner go the spoils. Recall that Saul (and thus Ish-bosheth) was from the tribe of Benjamin and it appears at this time, Ish-bosheth may have been supported only by his only tribesmen. 2 Samuel 2:16 Each one of them seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent's side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. BGT 2 Samuel 2:16 καὶ ἐκράτησαν ἕκαστος τῇ χειρὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν τοῦ πλησίον αὐτοῦ καὶ μάχαιρα αὐτοῦ εἰς πλευρὰν τοῦ πλησίον αὐτοῦ καὶ πίπτουσιν κατὰ τὸ αὐτό καὶ ἐκλήθη τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου ἐκείνου μερὶς τῶν ἐπιβούλων ἥ ἐστιν ἐν Γαβαων LXE 2 Samuel 2:16 And they seized every one the head of his neighbour with his hand, and his sword was thrust into the side of his neighbour, and they fall down together: and the name of that place was called The portion of the treacherous ones, which is in Gabaon. KJV 2 Samuel 2:16 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. NET 2 Samuel 2:16 As they grappled with one another, each one stabbed his opponent with his sword and they fell dead together. So that place is called the Field of Flints; it is in Gibeon. CSB 2 Samuel 2:16 Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent's side so that they all died together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is named Field of Blades. ESV 2 Samuel 2:16 And each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent's side, so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is at Gibeon. NIV 2 Samuel 2:16 Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim. NLT 2 Samuel 2:16 Each one grabbed his opponent by the hair and thrust his sword into the other's side so that all of them died. So this place at Gibeon has been known ever since as the Field of Swords. NRS 2 Samuel 2:16 Each grasped his opponent by the head, and thrust his sword in his opponent's side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is at Gibeon. NJB 2 Samuel 2:16 Each caught his opponent by the head and drove his sword into his side; and thus they all fell together. Hence the place was called the Field of Sides; it is at Gibeon. ALL 24 FELL AT GIBEON Each one of them seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent's side; so they fell down together - Hebrew literally = "and they grabbed each one the head of his neighbor with his sword in the side of his neighbor and they fell together." There was no winner because all 24 champions died, so nothing was accomplished (except 24 dead soldiers) and the civil war continued.. Utley on by the head - This is an idiom for grabbing the hair so as to control a person's movement. Obviously these young soldiers on both sides were trained in the same fighting tactics. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon - The meaning is not certain but may mean something like " the field of strong men," but see NET Note below. NET Note - The meaning of the name "Helkath Hazzurim" (so NIV; KJV, NASB, NRSV similar) is not clear. BHK relates the name to the Hebrew term for "side," and this is reflected in NAB "the Field of the Sides"; the Greek OT revocalizes the Hebrew to mean something like "Field of Adversaries." Cf. also TEV, NLT "Field of Swords"; CEV "Field of Daggers." TSK Note on by the head: Probably by the beard or hair of the head. Plutarch, in his Apophthegms, informs us, that all things being ready for a battle, Alexander's captains asked him whether he had any thing else to command them. "Nothing," said he, "but that the Macedonians shave their beards." Parmenio wondering what he meant, "Dost thou not know," said he, "that in fight, there is no better hold than the beard?" 2 Samuel 2:17 That day the battle was very severe, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David. BGT 2 Samuel 2:17 καὶ ἐγένετο ὁ πόλεμος σκληρὸς ὥστε λίαν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ καὶ ἔπταισεν Αβεννηρ καὶ ἄνδρες Ισραηλ ἐνώπιον παίδων Δαυιδ LXE 2 Samuel 2:17 And the battle was very severe on that day; and Abenner and the men of Israel were worsted before the servants of David. KJV 2 Samuel 2:17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David. NET 2 Samuel 2:17 Now the battle was very severe that day; Abner and the men of Israel were overcome by David's soldiers. CSB 2 Samuel 2:17 The battle that day was extremely fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's soldiers. ESV 2 Samuel 2:17 And the battle was very fierce that day. And Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David. NIV 2 Samuel 2:17 The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's men. NLT 2 Samuel 2:17 A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the forces of David. Abner: 2Sa 3:1 ABNER'S MEN BEATEN BY JOAB'S TROOPS That day the battle was very severe - Because the contest was a draw, a general fight ensued. The fact that 12 comrades were killed on each side surely ignited the passions and resulted in all out severe conflict. David’s men had never lost a battle yet. And as they went to fight, they had a winning streak on the line. In this situation they once again claimed the victory and defeated Abner and the men of Israel. And Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David - Because the 12 on 12 plan to avoid all out war failed (with all 24 dying), what followed was all out war between Abner and the army of David. We should not be surprised at this outcome, for God had said David would be the next king of Israel. Unfortunately war in the divided nation would continue (cf 2Sa 3:1+ = "there was a long war between the house of David and the house of Saul") until David was crowned king over all Israel in 2 Samuel 5:1-5. Abner fled the scene to return to Mahanaim, his home base on the east side of the Jordan. 2 Samuel 2:18 Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab and Abishai and Asahel; and Asahel was as swift-footed as one of the gazelles which is in the field. BGT 2 Samuel 2:18 καὶ ἐγένοντο ἐκεῖ τρεῖς υἱοὶ Σαρουιας Ιωαβ καὶ Αβεσσα καὶ Ασαηλ καὶ Ασαηλ κοῦφος τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ μία δορκὰς ἐν ἀγρῷ LXE 2 Samuel 2:18 And there were there the three sons of Saruia, Joab, and Abessa, and Asael: and Asael was swift in his feet as a roe in the field. KJV 2 Samuel 2:18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. NET 2 Samuel 2:18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there– Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. (Now Asahel was as quick on his feet as one of the gazelles in the field.) CSB 2 Samuel 2:18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was a fast runner, like one of the wild gazelles. ESV 2 Samuel 2:18 And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle. NIV 2 Samuel 2:18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Now Asahel was as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle. NLT 2 Samuel 2:18 Joab, Abishai, and Asahel-- the three sons of Zeruiah-- were among David's forces that day. Asahel could run like a gazelle, three sons of Zeruiah: 1Ch 2:15,16 11:26 swift-footed: 2Sa 1:23 1Ch 12:8 Ps 147:10,11 Ec 9:11 Am 2:14 as one of the gazelles: Ps 18:33 Song 2:17 8:14 Hab 3:19 Related Passage: 1 Chronicles 2:16 and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abshai, Joab and Asahel. Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab and Abishai and Asahel; and Asahel was as swift-footed as one of the gazelles which is in the field - Recall that Abishai was with David in the camp of Saul when David had opportunity to kill Saul and it was Abishai who was willing to spear Saul, but David would not allow (1Sa 26:6–9). Asahel was the marathoner in David’s time. Asahel will appear in the following passages as a "swift footed" fool, a detail which probably accounts for his demise! Abishai was Joab's brother and was high officer in David's army-Commander of "the Thirty" Zeruiah - Personal name meaning, “perfumed with mastix” or “bleed.” Mother of three of David's generals, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel (2 Samuel 2:18 ). According to 1 Chronicles 2:16 , Zeruiah was David's (half) sister. According to 2 Samuel 17:25 , her sister, Abigail, was the (grand)daughter of Nahash rather than of Jesse, David's father. Kinship with David accounts for the positions of trust enjoyed by Zeruiah's sons. 2 Samuel 2:19 Asahel pursued Abner and did not turn to the right or to the left from following Abner. BGT 2 Samuel 2:19 καὶ κατεδίωξεν Ασαηλ ὀπίσω Αβεννηρ καὶ οὐκ ἐξέκλινεν τοῦ πορεύεσθαι εἰς δεξιὰ οὐδὲ εἰς ἀριστερὰ κατόπισθεν Αβεννηρ LXE 2 Samuel 2:19 And Asael followed after Abenner, and turned not to go to the right hand or to the left from following Abenner. KJV 2 Samuel 2:19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. NET 2 Samuel 2:19 Asahel chased Abner, without turning to the right or to the left as he followed Abner. CSB 2 Samuel 2:19 He chased Abner and did not turn to the right or the left in his pursuit of him. ESV 2 Samuel 2:19 And Asahel pursued Abner, and as he went, he turned neither to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. NIV 2 Samuel 2:19 He chased Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he pursued him. NLT 2 Samuel 2:19 and he began chasing Abner. He pursued him relentlessly, not stopping for anything. did not turn: 2Sa 2:21 Jos 1:7 23:6 2Ki 22:2 Pr 4:27 ASAHEL PURSUES ABNER Asahel pursued Abner and did not turn to the right or to the left from following Abner - Asahel the "swifted footed one" and one of David’s mighty warriors, “one of the thirty” (2Sa 23:24; see also 1Ch 11:26; 27:7), pursued Abner because if he could kill Abner, this would throw his forces into disarray. Asahel's pursuit of Ahab recalls a modern saying of "Cutting the head off a snake means to render an entity useless by halting at its source the flow of information guiding that entity. Assassinating a rebel leader or arresting and confining a dangerous gang leader are good-enough examples of cutting the head off of a metaphorical snake." 2 Samuel 2:20 Then Abner looked behind him and said, "Is that you, Asahel?" And he answered, "It is I." BGT 2 Samuel 2:20 καὶ ἐπέβλεψεν Αβεννηρ εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν εἰ σὺ εἶ αὐτὸς Ασαηλ καὶ εἶπεν ἐγώ εἰμι LXE 2 Samuel 2:20 And Abenner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asael himself? and he said, I am. KJV 2 Samuel 2:20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. NET 2 Samuel 2:20 Then Abner turned and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?" He replied, "Yes it is!" CSB 2 Samuel 2:20 Abner glanced back and said, "Is that you, Asahel?" "Yes it is," Asahel replied. ESV 2 Samuel 2:20 Then Abner looked behind him and said, "Is it you, Asahel?" And he answered, "It is I." NIV 2 Samuel 2:20 Abner looked behind him and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?" "It is," he answered. NLT 2 Samuel 2:20 When Abner looked back and saw him coming, he called out, "Is that you, Asahel?" "Yes, it is," he replied. Then Abner looked behind him and said, "Is that you, Asahel?" And he answered, "It is I." Asahel was Joab's younger brother. 2 Samuel 2:21 So Abner said to him, "Turn to your right or to your left, and take hold of one of the young men for yourself, and take for yourself his spoil." But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him. BGT 2 Samuel 2:21 καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Αβεννηρ ἔκκλινον σὺ εἰς τὰ δεξιὰ ἢ εἰς τὰ ἀριστερὰ καὶ κάτασχε σαυτῷ ἓν τῶν παιδαρίων καὶ λαβὲ σεαυτῷ τὴν πανοπλίαν αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν Ασαηλ ἐκκλῖναι ἐκ τῶν ὄπισθεν αὐτοῦ LXE 2 Samuel 2:21 And Abenner said to him, Turn thou to the right hand or to the left, and lay hold for thyself on one of the young men, and take to thyself his armour: but Asel would not turn back from following him. KJV 2 Samuel 2:21 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. NET 2 Samuel 2:21 Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right or to your left. Capture one of the soldiers and take his equipment for yourself!" But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him. CSB 2 Samuel 2:21 Abner said to him, "Turn to your right or left, seize one of the young soldiers, and take whatever you can get from him." But Asahel would not stop chasing him. ESV 2 Samuel 2:21 Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and seize one of the young men and take his spoil." But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. NIV 2 Samuel 2:21 Then Abner said to him, "Turn aside to the right or to the left; take on one of the young men and strip him of his weapons." But Asahel would not stop chasing him. NLT 2 Samuel 2:21 "Go fight someone else!" Abner warned. "Take on one of the younger men, and strip him of his weapons." But Asahel kept right on chasing Abner. spoil, Jdg 14:19 STRIP THE YOUNG MEN FOR SPOIL So Abner said to him, "Turn to your right or to your left, and take hold of one of the young men for yourself, and take for yourself his spoil (chalitsah; Lxx - panoplia = full armor) - NLT - "Take on one of the younger men, and strip him of his weapons." Abner is trying to dissuade Asahel from attacking him in an attempt to retrieve Abner's armor.