2 Samuel 2 | Biblion Bible Reader

WEB·2 Samuel 3

¹Now there was a long war between Saul’s house and David’s house. David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker.

KJVNow there was long^H752 war^H4421 between the house^H1004 of Saul^H7586 and the house^H1004 of David^H1732: but David^H1732 waxed^H1980^(H8802) stronger^H2390 and stronger^H2390, and the house^H1004 of Saul^H7586 waxed^H1980^(H8802) weaker^H1800 and weaker^H1800.

² Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

KJVAnd unto David^H1732 were sons^H1121 born^H3205^(H8735)^(H8675)^H3205^(H8795) in Hebron^H2275: and his firstborn^H1060 was Amnon^H550, of Ahinoam^H293 the Jezreelitess^H3159;

³ and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

KJVAnd his second^H4932, Chileab^H3609, of Abigail^H26 the wife^H802 of Nabal^H5037 the Carmelite^H3761; and the third^H7992, Absalom^H53 the son^H1121 of Maacah^H4601 the daughter^H1323 of Talmai^H8526 king^H4428 of Geshur^H1650;

⁴ and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

KJVAnd the fourth^H7243, Adonijah^H138 the son^H1121 of Haggith^H2294; and the fifth^H2549, Shephatiah^H8203 the son^H1121 of Abital^H37;

⁵ and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

KJVAnd the sixth^H8345, Ithream^H3507, by Eglah^H5698 David's^H1732 wife^H802. These were born^H3205^(H8795) to David^H1732 in Hebron^H2275.

⁶ While there was war between Saul’s house and David’s house, Abner made himself strong in Saul’s house.

KJVAnd it came to pass, while there was war^H4421 between the house^H1004 of Saul^H7586 and the house^H1004 of David^H1732, that Abner^H74 made himself strong^H2388^(H8693) for the house^H1004 of Saul^H7586.

⁷ Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

KJVAnd Saul^H7586 had a concubine^H6370, whose name^H8034 was Rizpah^H7532, the daughter^H1323 of Aiah^H345: and Ishbosheth said^H559^(H8799) to Abner^H74, Wherefore hast thou gone in^H935^(H8804) unto my father's^H1 concubine^H6370?

⁸ Then Abner was very angry about Ishbosheth’s words, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to your father Saul’s house, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman!

KJVThen was Abner^H74 very^H3966 wroth^H2734^(H8799) for the words^H1697 of Ishbosheth^H378, and said^H559^(H8799), Am I a dog's^H3611 head^H7218, which against Judah^H3063 do shew^H6213^(H8799) kindness^H2617 this day^H3117 unto the house^H1004 of Saul^H7586 thy father^H1, to his brethren^H251, and to his friends^H4828, and have not delivered^H4672^(H8689) thee into the hand^H3027 of David^H1732, that thou chargest^H6485^(H8799) me to day^H3117 with a fault^H5771 concerning this woman^H802?

⁹ God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Yahweh has sworn to David, I don’t do even so to him:

KJVSo do^H6213^(H8799) God^H430 to Abner^H74, and more also^H3254^(H8686), except, as the LORD^H3068 hath sworn^H7650^(H8738) to David^H1732, even so I do^H6213^(H8799) to him;

¹⁰ to transfer the kingdom from Saul’s house, and to set up David’s throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.”

KJVTo translate^H5674^(H8687) the kingdom^H4467 from the house^H1004 of Saul^H7586, and to set up^H6965^(H8687) the throne^H3678 of David^H1732 over Israel^H3478 and over Judah^H3063, from Dan^H1835 even to Beersheba^H884.

¹¹ He could not answer Abner another word, because he was afraid of him.

KJVAnd he could^H3201^(H8804) not answer^H7725^(H8687) Abner^H74 a word^H1697 again, because he feared^H3372^(H8800) him.

¹² Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” and saying, “Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand will be with you to bring all Israel around to you.”

KJVAnd Abner^H74 sent^H7971^(H8799) messengers^H4397 to David^H1732 on his behalf, saying^H559^(H8800), Whose is the land^H776? saying^H559^(H8800) also, Make^H3772^(H8798) thy league^H1285 with me, and, behold, my hand^H3027 shall be with thee, to bring about^H5437^(H8687) all Israel^H3478 unto thee.

¹³ David said, “Good. I will make a treaty with you, but one thing I require of you. That is, you will not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.”

KJVAnd he said^H559^(H8799), Well^H2896; I will make^H3772^(H8799) a league^H1285 with thee: but one^H259 thing^H1697 I require^H7592^(H8802) of thee, that is^H559^(H8800), Thou shalt not see^H7200^(H8799) my face^H6440, except thou first^H6440 bring^H935^(H8687) Michal^H4324 Saul's^H7586 daughter^H1323, when thou comest^H935^(H8800) to see^H7200^(H8800) my face^H6440.

¹⁴ David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I was given to marry for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”

KJVAnd David^H1732 sent^H7971^(H8799) messengers^H4397 to Ishbosheth^H378 Saul's^H7586 son^H1121, saying^H559^(H8800), Deliver^H5414^(H8798) me my wife^H802 Michal^H4324, which I espoused^H781^(H8765) to me for an hundred^H3967 foreskins^H6190 of the Philistines^H6430.

¹⁵ Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel the son of Laish.

KJVAnd Ishbosheth^H378 sent^H7971^(H8799), and took^H3947^(H8799) her from her husband^H376, even from Phaltiel^H6409 the son^H1121 of Laish^H3889^(H8675)^H3919.

¹⁶ Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go! Return!” and he returned.

KJVAnd her husband^H376 went^H3212^(H8799) with her along weeping^H1980^(H8800)^H1058^(H8800) behind^H310 her to Bahurim^H980. Then said^H559^(H8799) Abner^H74 unto him, Go^H3212^(H8798), return^H7725^(H8798). And he returned^H7725^(H8799).

¹⁷ Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past, you sought for David to be king over you.

KJVAnd Abner^H74 had communication^H1961^(H8804)^H1697 with the elders^H2205 of Israel^H3478, saying^H559^(H8800), Ye sought^H1245^(H8764) for David^H1732 in times^H8543 past^H8032 to be king^H4428 over you:

¹⁸ Now then do it! For Yahweh has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.’”

KJVNow then do^H6213^(H8798) it: for the LORD^H3068 hath spoken^H559^(H8804) of David^H1732, saying^H559^(H8800), By the hand^H3027 of my servant^H5650 David^H1732 I will save^H3467^(H8687) my people^H5971 Israel^H3478 out of the hand^H3027 of the Philistines^H6430, and out of the hand^H3027 of all their enemies^H341^(H8802).

¹⁹ Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin; and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and to the whole house of Benjamin.

KJVAnd Abner^H74 also spake^H1696^(H8762) in the ears^H241 of Benjamin^H1144: and Abner^H74 went^H3212^(H8799) also to speak^H1696^(H8763) in the ears^H241 of David^H1732 in Hebron^H2275 all that seemed^H5869 good^H2896 to Israel^H3478, and that seemed good^H5869 to the whole house^H1004 of Benjamin^H1144.

²⁰ So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast.

KJVSo Abner^H74 came^H935^(H8799) to David^H1732 to Hebron^H2275, and twenty^H6242 men^H582 with him. And David^H1732 made^H6213^(H8799) Abner^H74 and the men^H582 that were with him a feast^H4960.

²¹ Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires.” David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

KJVAnd Abner^H74 said^H559^(H8799) unto David^H1732, I will arise^H6965^(H8799) and go^H3212^(H8799), and will gather^H6908^(H8799) all Israel^H3478 unto my lord^H113 the king^H4428, that they may make^H3772^(H8799) a league^H1285 with thee, and that thou mayest reign^H4427^(H8804) over all that thine heart^H5315 desireth^H183^(H8762). And David^H1732 sent^H7971 Abner^H74 away^H7971^(H8762); and he went^H3212^(H8799) in peace^H7965.

²² Behold, David’s servants and Joab came from a raid and brought in a great plunder with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.

KJVAnd, behold, the servants^H5650 of David^H1732 and Joab^H3097 came^H935^(H8802) from pursuing a troop^H1416, and brought in^H935^(H8689) a great^H7227 spoil^H7998 with them: but Abner^H74 was not with David^H1732 in Hebron^H2275; for he had sent him away^H7971^(H8765), and he was gone^H3212^(H8799) in peace^H7965.

²³ When Joab and all the army who was with him had come, they told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace.”

KJVWhen Joab^H3097 and all the host^H6635 that was with him were come^H935^(H8804), they told^H5046^(H8686) Joab^H3097, saying^H559^(H8800), Abner^H74 the son^H1121 of Ner^H5369 came^H935^(H8804) to the king^H4428, and he hath sent him away^H7971^(H8762), and he is gone^H3212^(H8799) in peace^H7965.

²⁴ Then Joab came to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, and he is already gone?

KJVThen Joab^H3097 came^H935^(H8799) to the king^H4428, and said^H559^(H8799), What hast thou done^H6213^(H8804)? behold, Abner^H74 came^H935^(H8802) unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away^H7971^(H8765), and he is quite^H1980^(H8800) gone^H3212^(H8799)?

²⁵ You know Abner the son of Ner. He came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do.”

KJVThou knowest^H3045^(H8804) Abner^H74 the son^H1121 of Ner^H5369, that he came^H935^(H8804) to deceive^H6601^(H8763) thee, and to know^H3045^(H8800) thy going out^H4161 and thy coming in^H4126^(H8675)^H3996, and to know^H3045^(H8800) all that thou doest^H6213^(H8802).

²⁶ When Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David didn’t know it.

KJVAnd when Joab^H3097 was come out^H3318^(H8799) from David^H1732, he sent^H7971^(H8799) messengers^H4397 after^H310 Abner^H74, which brought him again^H7725^(H8686) from the well^H953 of Sirah^H5626: but David^H1732 knew^H3045^(H8804) it not.

²⁷ When Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.

KJVAnd when Abner^H74 was returned^H7725^(H8799) to Hebron^H2275, Joab^H3097 took him aside^H5186^(H8686) in^H413^H8432 the gate^H8179 to speak^H1696^(H8763) with him quietly^H7987, and smote^H5221^(H8686) him there under the fifth^H2570 rib, that he died^H4191^(H8799), for the blood^H1818 of Asahel^H6214 his brother^H251.

²⁸ Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.

KJVAnd afterward^H310 when David^H1732 heard^H8085^(H8799) it, he said^H559^(H8799), I and my kingdom^H4467 are guiltless^H5355 before the LORD^H3068 for^H5704 ever^H5769 from the blood^H1818 of Abner^H74 the son^H1121 of Ner^H5369:

²⁹ Let it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house. Let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”

KJVLet it rest^H2342^(H8799) on the head^H7218 of Joab^H3097, and on all his father's^H1 house^H1004; and let there not fail^H3772^(H8735) from the house^H1004 of Joab^H3097 one that hath an issue^H2100^(H8802), or that is a leper^H6879^(H8794), or that leaneth^H2388^(H8688) on a staff^H6418, or that falleth^H5307^(H8802) on the sword^H2719, or that lacketh^H2638 bread^H3899.

³⁰ So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

KJVSo Joab^H3097 and Abishai^H52 his brother^H251 slew^H2026^(H8804) Abner^H74, because he had slain^H4191^(H8689) their brother^H251 Asahel^H6214 at Gibeon^H1391 in the battle^H4421.

³¹ David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, and clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn in front of Abner.” King David followed the bier.

KJVAnd David^H1732 said^H559^(H8799) to Joab^H3097, and to all the people^H5971 that were with him, Rend^H7167^(H8798) your clothes^H899, and gird^H2296^(H8798) you with sackcloth^H8242, and mourn^H5594^(H8798) before^H6440 Abner^H74. And king^H4428 David^H1732 himself followed^H1980^(H8802)^H310 the bier^H4296.

³² They buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at Abner’s grave; and all the people wept.

KJVAnd they buried^H6912^(H8799) Abner^H74 in Hebron^H2275: and the king^H4428 lifted up^H5375^(H8799) his voice^H6963, and wept^H1058^(H8799) at the grave^H6913 of Abner^H74; and all the people^H5971 wept^H1058^(H8799).

³³ The king lamented for Abner, and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

KJVAnd the king^H4428 lamented^H6969^(H8787) over Abner^H74, and said^H559^(H8799), Died^H4191^(H8799) Abner^H74 as a fool^H5036 dieth^H4194?

³⁴ Your hands weren’t bound, and your feet weren’t put into fetters. As a man falls before the children of iniquity, so you fell.” All the people wept again over him.

KJVThy hands^H3027 were not bound^H631^(H8803), nor thy feet^H7272 put^H5066^(H8717) into fetters^H5178: as a man falleth^H5307^(H8800) before^H6440 wicked^H5766 men^H1121, so fellest^H5307^(H8804) thou. And all the people^H5971 wept^H1058^(H8800) again^H3254^(H8686) over him.

³⁵ All the people came to urge David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else, until the sun goes down.”

KJVAnd when all^H3605 the people^H5971 came^H935^(H8799) to cause^H1262 David^H1732 to eat^H1262^(H8687) meat^H3899 while it was yet^H5750 day^H3117, David^H1732 sware^H7650^(H8735), saying^H559^(H8800), So do^H6213^(H8799) God^H430 to me, and more also^H3254^(H8686), if I taste^H2938^(H8799) bread^H3899, or ought^H3972 else, till^H6440 the sun^H8121 be down^H935^(H8800).

³⁶ All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as whatever the king did pleased all the people.

KJVAnd all the people^H5971 took notice^H5234^(H8689) of it, and it pleased^H3190^(H8799)^H5869 them: as whatsoever the king^H4428 did^H6213^(H8804) pleased^H5869^H2896 all the people^H5971.

³⁷ So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner.

KJVFor all the people^H5971 and all Israel^H3478 understood^H3045^(H8799) that day^H3117 that it was not of the king^H4428 to slay^H4191^(H8687) Abner^H74 the son^H1121 of Ner^H5369.

³⁸ The king said to his servants, “Don’t you know that a prince and a great man has fallen today in Israel?

KJVAnd the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) unto his servants^H5650, Know^H3045^(H8799) ye not that there is a prince^H8269 and a great man^H1419 fallen^H5307^(H8804) this day^H3117 in Israel^H3478?

³⁹ I am weak today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.”

KJVAnd I am this day^H3117 weak^H7390, though anointed^H4886^(H8803) king^H4428; and these men^H582 the sons^H1121 of Zeruiah^H6870 be too hard^H7186 for me: the LORD^H3068 shall reward^H7999^(H8762) the doer of evil^H6213^(H8802) according to his wickedness^H7451.

WEB·2 Samuel 2

¹After this, David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” Yahweh said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.”

KJVAnd it came to pass after this^H310, that David^H1732 enquired^H7592^(H8799) of the LORD^H3068, saying^H559^(H8800), Shall I go up^H5927^(H8799) into any^H259 of the cities^H5892 of Judah^H3063? And the LORD^H3068 said^H559^(H8799) unto him, Go up^H5927^(H8798). And David^H1732 said^H559^(H8799), Whither shall I go up^H5927^(H8799)? And he said^H559^(H8799), Unto Hebron^H2275.

² So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

KJVSo David^H1732 went up^H5927^(H8799) thither, and his two^H8147 wives^H802 also, Ahinoam^H293 the Jezreelitess^H3159, and Abigail^H26 Nabal's^H5037 wife^H802 the Carmelite^H3761.

³ David brought up his men who were with him, every man with his household. They lived in the cities of Hebron.

KJVAnd his men^H582 that were with him did David^H1732 bring up^H5927^(H8689), every man^H376 with his household^H1004: and they dwelt^H3427^(H8799) in the cities^H5892 of Hebron^H2275.

⁴ The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul.”

KJVAnd the men^H582 of Judah^H3063 came^H935^(H8799), and there they anointed^H4886^(H8799) David^H1732 king^H4428 over the house^H1004 of Judah^H3063. And they told^H5046^(H8686) David^H1732, saying^H559^(H8800), That the men^H582 of Jabeshgilead^H3003^H1568 were they that buried^H6912^(H8804) Saul^H7586.

⁵ David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, “Blessed are you by Yahweh, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him.

KJVAnd David^H1732 sent^H7971^(H8799) messengers^H4397 unto the men^H582 of Jabeshgilead^H3003^H1568, and said^H559^(H8799) unto them, Blessed^H1288^(H8803) be ye of the LORD^H3068, that ye have shewed^H6213^(H8804) this kindness^H2617 unto your lord^H113, even unto Saul^H7586, and have buried^H6912^(H8799) him.

⁶ Now may Yahweh show loving kindness and truth to you. I also will reward you for this kindness, because you have done this thing.

KJVAnd now the LORD^H3068 shew^H6213^(H8799) kindness^H2617 and truth^H571 unto you: and I also will requite^H6213^(H8799) you this kindness^H2896, because ye have done^H6213^(H8804) this thing^H1697.

⁷ Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.”

KJVTherefore now let your hands^H3027 be strengthened^H2388^(H8799), and be ye valiant^H1121^H2428: for your master^H113 Saul^H7586 is dead^H4191^(H8804), and also the house^H1004 of Judah^H3063 have anointed^H4886^(H8804) me king^H4428 over them.

⁸ Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.

KJVBut Abner^H74 the son^H1121 of Ner^H5369, captain^H8269 of Saul's^H7586 host^H6635, took^H3947^(H8804) Ishbosheth^H378 the son^H1121 of Saul^H7586, and brought him over^H5674^(H8686) to Mahanaim^H4266;

⁹ He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

KJVAnd made him king^H4427^(H8686) over Gilead^H1568, and over the Ashurites^H805, and over Jezreel^H3157, and over Ephraim^H669, and over Benjamin^H1144, and over all Israel^H3478.

¹⁰ Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

KJVIshbosheth^H378 Saul's^H7586 son^H1121 was forty^H705 years^H8141 old^H1121 when he began to reign^H4427^(H8800) over Israel^H3478, and reigned^H4427^(H8804) two^H8147 years^H8141. But the house^H1004 of Judah^H3063 followed^H310 David^H1732.

¹¹ The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

KJVAnd the time^H4557^H3117 that David^H1732 was king^H4428 in Hebron^H2275 over the house^H1004 of Judah^H3063 was seven^H7651 years^H8141 and six^H8337 months^H2320.

¹² Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

KJVAnd Abner^H74 the son^H1121 of Ner^H5369, and the servants^H5650 of Ishbosheth^H378 the son^H1121 of Saul^H7586, went out^H3318^(H8799) from Mahanaim^H4266 to Gibeon^H1391.

¹³ Joab the son of Zeruiah and David’s servants went out, and met them 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.

KJVAnd Joab^H3097 the son^H1121 of Zeruiah^H6870, and the servants^H5650 of David^H1732, went out^H3318^(H8804), and met^H6298^(H8799) together^H3162 by the pool^H1295 of Gibeon^H1391: and they sat down^H3427^(H8799), the one on the one side of the pool^H1295, and the other on the other side of the pool^H1295.

¹⁴ Abner said to Joab, “Please let the young men arise and compete before us!” Joab said, “Let them arise!”

KJVAnd Abner^H74 said^H559^(H8799) to Joab^H3097, Let the young men^H5288 now arise^H6965^(H8799), and play^H7832^(H8762) before^H6440 us. And Joab^H3097 said^H559^(H8799), Let them arise^H6965^(H8799).

¹⁵ Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of David’s servants.

KJVThen there arose^H6965^(H8799) and went over^H5674^(H8799) by number^H4557 twelve^H8147^H6240 of Benjamin^H1144, which pertained to Ishbosheth^H378 the son^H1121 of Saul^H7586, and twelve^H8147^H6240 of the servants^H5650 of David^H1732.

¹⁶ They each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.

KJVAnd they caught^H2388^(H8686) every one^H376 his fellow^H7453 by the head^H7218, and thrust his sword^H2719 in his fellow's^H7453 side^H6654; so they fell down^H5307^(H8799) together^H3162: wherefore that place^H4725 was called^H7121^(H8799) Helkathhazzurim^H2521, which is in Gibeon^H1391.

¹⁷ The battle was very severe that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before David’s servants.

KJVAnd there was a very^H3966 sore^H7186 battle^H4421 that day^H3117; and Abner^H74 was beaten^H5062^(H8735), and the men^H582 of Israel^H3478, before^H6440 the servants^H5650 of David^H1732.

¹⁸ The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle.

KJVAnd there were three^H7969 sons^H1121 of Zeruiah^H6870 there, Joab^H3097, and Abishai^H52, and Asahel^H6214: and Asahel^H6214 was as light^H7031 of foot^H7272 as a^H259 wild^H7704 roe^H6643.

¹⁹ Asahel pursued Abner. He didn’t turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner.

KJVAnd Asahel^H6214 pursued^H7291^(H8799) after^H310 Abner^H74; and in going^H3212^(H8800) he turned^H5186^(H8804) not to the right hand^H3225 nor to the left^H8040 from following^H310 Abner^H74.

²⁰ Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He answered, “It is.”

KJVThen Abner^H74 looked^H6437^(H8799) behind^H310 him, and said^H559^(H8799), Art thou Asahel^H6214? And he answered^H559^(H8799), I am.

²¹ Abner said to him, “Turn away to your right hand or to your left, and grab one of the young men, and take his armor.” But Asahel would not turn away from following him.

KJVAnd Abner^H74 said^H559^(H8799) to him, Turn thee aside^H5186^(H8798) to thy right hand^H3225 or to thy left^H8040, and lay thee hold^H270^(H8798) on one^H259 of the young men^H5288, and take^H3947^(H8798) thee his armour^H2488. But Asahel^H6214 would^H14^(H8804) not turn aside^H5493^(H8800) from following^H310 of him.

²² Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn away from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I look Joab your brother in the face?”

KJVAnd Abner^H74 said^H559^(H8800) again^H3254^(H8686) to Asahel^H6214, Turn thee aside^H5493^(H8798) from following^H310 me: wherefore should I smite^H5221^(H8686) thee to the ground^H776? how then should I hold up^H5375^(H8799) my face^H6440 to Joab^H3097 thy brother^H251?

²³ However, he refused to turn away. Therefore Abner with the back end of the spear struck him in the body, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there and died in the same place. As many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.

KJVHowbeit he refused^H3985^(H8762) to turn aside^H5493^(H8800): wherefore Abner^H74 with the hinder end^H310 of the spear^H2595 smote^H5221^(H8686) him under^H413 the fifth^H2570 rib, that the spear^H2595 came out^H3318^(H8799) behind^H310 him; and he fell down^H5307^(H8799) there, and died^H4191^(H8799) in the same place^H8478: and it came to pass, that as many as came^H935^(H8802) to the place^H4725 where Asahel^H6214 fell down^H5307^(H8804) and died^H4191^(H8799) stood still^H5975^(H8799).

²⁴ But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. The sun went down when they had come to the hill of Ammah, that lies before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

KJVJoab^H3097 also and Abishai^H52 pursued^H7291^(H8799) after^H310 Abner^H74: and the sun^H8121 went down^H935^(H8804) when they were come^H935^(H8804) to the hill^H1389 of Ammah^H522, that lieth before^H6440 Giah^H1520 by the way^H1870 of the wilderness^H4057 of Gibeon^H1391.

²⁵ The children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner and became one band, and stood on the top of a hill.

KJVAnd the children^H1121 of Benjamin^H1144 gathered themselves together^H6908^(H8691) after^H310 Abner^H74, and became one^H259 troop^H92, and stood^H5975^(H8799) on the top^H7218 of an hill^H1389.

²⁶ Then Abner called to Joab, and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Don’t you know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long will it be then, before you ask the people to return from following their brothers?”

KJVThen Abner^H74 called^H7121^(H8799) to Joab^H3097, and said^H559^(H8799), Shall the sword^H2719 devour^H398^(H8799) for ever^H5331? knowest^H3045^(H8804) thou not that it will be bitterness^H4751 in the latter end^H314? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid^H559^(H8799) the people^H5971 return^H7725^(H8800) from following^H310 their brethren^H251?

²⁷ Joab said, “As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely then in the morning the people would have gone away, and not each followed his brother.”

KJVAnd Joab^H3097 said^H559^(H8799), As God^H430 liveth^H2416, unless^H3884 thou hadst spoken^H1696^(H8765), surely then in the morning^H1242 the people^H5971 had gone up^H5927^(H8738) every one^H376 from following^H310 his brother^H251.

²⁸ So Joab blew the trumpet; and all the people stood still and pursued Israel no more, and they fought no more.

KJVSo Joab^H3097 blew^H8628^(H8799) a trumpet^H7782, and all the people^H5971 stood still^H5975^(H8799), and pursued^H7291^(H8799) after^H310 Israel^H3478 no more, neither fought^H3898^(H8736) they any more^H3254^(H8804).

²⁹ Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.

KJVAnd Abner^H74 and his men^H582 walked^H1980^(H8804) all that night^H3915 through the plain^H6160, and passed over^H5674^(H8799) Jordan^H3383, and went through^H3212^(H8799) all Bithron^H1338, and they came^H935^(H8799) to Mahanaim^H4266.

³⁰ Joab returned from following Abner; and when he had gathered all the people together, nineteen men of David’s and Asahel were missing.

KJVAnd Joab^H3097 returned^H7725^(H8804) from following^H310 Abner^H74: and when he had gathered^H6908 all the people^H5971 together^H6908^(H8799), there lacked^H6485^(H8735) of David's^H1732 servants^H5650 nineteen^H8672^H6240 men^H376 and Asahel^H6214.

³¹ But David’s servants had struck Benjamin and Abner’s men so that three hundred sixty men died.

KJVBut the servants^H5650 of David^H1732 had smitten^H5221^(H8689) of Benjamin^H1144, and of Abner's^H74 men^H582, so that three^H7969 hundred^H3967 and threescore^H8346 men^H376 died^H4191^(H8804).

³² They took up Asahel and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men went all night, and the day broke on them at Hebron.

KJVAnd they took up^H5375^(H8799) Asahel^H6214, and buried^H6912^(H8799) him in the sepulchre^H6913 of his father^H1, which was in Bethlehem^H1035. And Joab^H3097 and his men^H582 went^H3212^(H8799) all night^H3915, and they came to Hebron^H2275 at break of day^H215^(H8735).

Section titles come from the Biblion commentary, not from Scripture.

You can also read or listen to the Introduction to the book of 2 Samuel.