2 Samuel 2:12 One day Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

◄ 2 Samuel 2:12 ►

New International Version
Abner son of Ner, together with the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon.

New Living Translation
One day Abner led Ishbosheth’s troops from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

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

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

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

New King James Version
Now Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

New American Standard Bible
Now Abner the son of Ner, went from Mahanaim to Gibeon with the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul.

NASB 1995
Now Abner the son of Ner, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon with the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul.

NASB 1977
Now Abner the son of Ner, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon with the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Abner the son of Ner, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon with the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul.

Amplified Bible
Now Abner the son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

Christian Standard Bible
Abner son of Ner and soldiers of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abner son of Ner and soldiers of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

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

Contemporary English Version
One day, Abner and the soldiers of Ishbosheth left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ner's son Abner and the officers of Saul's son Ishbosheth went from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

Good News Translation
Abner and the officials of Ishbosheth went from Mahanaim to the city of Gibeon.

International Standard Version
Ner's son Abner and the servants of Saul's son Ish-bosheth set out from Mahanaim for Gibeon.

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

NET Bible
Then Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

New Heart English Bible
Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbaal the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

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

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

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Abner son of Ner goes out, and servants of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

Young's Literal Translation
And Abner son of Ner goeth out, and servants of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abner son of Ner, will go forth and the servants of the man of shame, son of Saul, from the two camps to the hill.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Isboseth the son of Saul, went out from the camp to Gabaon

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Abner, the son of Ner, and the youths of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, went out from the camp to Gibeon.

New American Bible
Now Abner, son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbaal, Saul’s son, set out from Mahanaim for Gibeon.

New Revised Standard Version
Abner son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbaal son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Abner the son of Ner and the servants of Ashbashul the son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abnir son of Nir went out, and the Servants of Ashbashul, son of Shaul from Makhanim to Gebuun

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abenner the son of Ner went forth, and the servants of Jebosthe the son of Saul, from Manaem to Gabaon.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

War Between the Houses of David and Saul
12One day Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13So Joab son of Zeruiah, along with the servants of David, marched out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. And the two camps took up positions on opposite sides of the pool.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.

1 Samuel 30:1
On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down.

2 Samuel 3:1
Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2 Samuel 5:1-3
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

1 Kings 2:5-6
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.

1 Chronicles 11:1-3
Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where David made a covenant with them before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

1 Chronicles 12:23-40
Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the LORD: / From Judah: 6,800 armed troops bearing shields and spears. / From Simeon: 7,100 mighty men of valor, ready for battle. ...

Psalm 60:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us!

Psalm 108:10
Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

Isaiah 9:5
For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

Isaiah 11:13
Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim.

Matthew 12:25
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

Matthew 24:6-7
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. / Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Mark 3:24-25
If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand. / If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand.

Luke 11:17
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall.

Treasury of Scripture

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

2 Samuel 17:14
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.

Genesis 32:2
And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Gibeon

Joshua 9:3
And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

Joshua 10:2,4,12
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 18:25
Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,

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Abner Gibeon Ishbosheth Ish-Bosheth Ish-Bo'sheth Mahanaim Mahana'im Ner Saul Saul's Servants Together

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Abner Gibeon Ishbosheth Ish-Bosheth Ish-Bo'sheth Mahanaim Mahana'im Ner Saul Saul's Servants Together

2 Samuel 2

1. David, by God's direction, with his company goes up to Hebron
4. where he is made king of Judah
5. He commends them of Jabesh Gilead for their king of Israel
8. Abner makes Ishbosheth king of Israel
12. A mortal skirmish between twelve of Abner's and twelve of Joab's men.
18. Asahel is slain
25. At Abner's motion, Joab sounds a retreat
32. Asahel's burial

Berean Study Bible

One day
This phrase sets the stage for a significant event, indicating a specific moment in time that God has ordained for His purposes. In the Hebrew context, "one day" often marks a turning point or a divine intervention. It reminds us that God is sovereign over time and history, orchestrating events according to His will.

Abner son of Ner
Abner, whose name means "father of light," was a powerful military leader and the cousin of King Saul. His role as the commander of Saul's army highlights his influence and authority. Abner's actions throughout the narrative demonstrate the complexities of loyalty and power in the ancient Near Eastern context. His lineage, being the son of Ner, ties him to the royal family, emphasizing the political dynamics at play.

the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul
Ish-bosheth, meaning "man of shame," was Saul's son and a puppet king set up by Abner. The term "servants" indicates those who were loyal to Ish-bosheth, though their allegiance was likely more to Abner's military prowess than to Ish-bosheth's leadership. This phrase underscores the fragile nature of Ish-bosheth's reign and the underlying tensions within the house of Saul.

left Mahanaim
Mahanaim, meaning "two camps," was a strategic location east of the Jordan River. It served as a refuge and a base of operations for Ish-bosheth's kingdom. The departure from Mahanaim signifies a move from a place of security to one of confrontation. Historically, Mahanaim was a significant site, often associated with divine encounters and protection, as seen in Jacob's account in Genesis.

and marched out to Gibeon
Gibeon was a significant city in the tribal territory of Benjamin, known for its large pool and historical battles. The march to Gibeon indicates a deliberate military maneuver, suggesting preparation for conflict. Gibeon's history as a city of the Gibeonites, who made a treaty with Israel in Joshua's time, adds layers of historical and theological significance to the narrative. This movement foreshadows the impending clash between the house of Saul and the house of David, highlighting the unfolding of God's plan for Israel's leadership.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) To Gibeon.--Gibeon, in the territory of Benjamin, had become noted in the original conquest of the land as the only city which succeeded, though by craft, in making a league with the conquerors (Joshua 9). It was five and a half miles north-west from Jerusalem, and at a long distance both from Mahanaim and from Hebron. Here the generals of the rival monarchs met, possibly by design, but more likely each engaged in the effort to extend their respective masters' sway over the tribe of Benjamin.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - Abner... went out. This is a further proof of considerable success on Abner's side. Encouraged by the result of numerous skirmishes with the Philistines, and the gradual restoration of the king's authority in Ephraim and Benjamin, Abner determined to make the attempt to win back Judah also. There David had been content with protecting Judah, and establishing good order; and, following his constant custom, had taken no steps to obtain for himself the kingdom "over all Israel." The war was of Abner's choosing, and shows him to us in the character of an able but ambitious and restless man.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

One day Abner
אַבְנֵ֣ר (’aḇ·nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ner
נֵ֔ר (nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5369: Ner -- father of Abner, also the father of Kish

and the servants
וְעַבְדֵ֖י (wə·‘aḇ·ḏê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

of Ish-bosheth
בֹּ֣שֶׁת (bō·šeṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 378: Ish-bosheth -- 'man of shame', a son of Saul and king of Israel

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Saul
שָׁא֑וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

marched out
וַיֵּצֵא֙ (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

from Mahanaim
מִֽמַּחֲנַ֖יִם (mim·ma·ḥă·na·yim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4266: Mahanaim -- 'two camps', a place East of the Jordan

to Gibeon.
גִּבְעֽוֹנָה׃ (giḇ·‘ō·w·nāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1391: Gibeon -- a Levitical city in Benjamin

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OT History: 2 Samuel 2:12 Abner the son of Ner and (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)