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12 Abner son of Ner and the followers of Ishbosheth son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13 Joab son of Zeruiah and the followers of David went out and confronted them at the pool[a] of Gibeon. They took up positions on the opposite sides of the pool.

14 Abner said to Joab, “The young men should get up and compete in front of us.”

Joab said, “Yes, let them do so.”

15 So twelve representatives for Benjamin and Ishbosheth son of Saul got up and crossed over to confront twelve representatives for David. 16 Each one grabbed his opponent’s head and thrust his sword into his side. Together, they all fell. So that place, which is near Gibeon, was called Helkath Hatsurim.[b] 17 A fierce battle took place that day. Abner and the men of Israel were beaten by the followers of David.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 2:13 Or reservoir
  2. 2 Samuel 2:16 The meaning of this name is uncertain. It may mean Place of Sides or Place of Opponents or Field of Blades.

War between Judah and Israel

12 Abner the son of Ner and the servants of Ish-Bosheth the son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13 Then Joab the son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out, and they met at the pool of Gibeon. The one group sat on one side of the pool, and the other sat on the other side. 14 Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men come up and fight in our presence.” And Joab said, “Let them come up.” 15 So they came forward and passed by in number: twelve for Benjamin and for Ish-Bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve from the servants of David. 16 Then each seized his opponent[a] by the head and each thrust his sword in the side of his opponent, so they fell together. So they[b] called the name of that place Helkath Hazzurim,[c] which is in Gibeon. 17 Then the battle became increasingly fierce[d] on that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated before the servants of David.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 2:16 Literally “neighbor”
  2. 2 Samuel 2:16 Hebrew “he”
  3. 2 Samuel 2:16 Helkath Hazzurim possibly means “the slippery slope”
  4. 2 Samuel 2:17 Literally “and it was/became strong/fierce until very”