The Battle of Gibeon

¹² Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ishbaal^[a] son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.^{(A) 13} Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat on one side of the pool, while the other sat on the other side of the pool.^{(B) 14} Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men come forward and have a contest before us.” Joab said, “Let them come forward.” ¹⁵ So they came forward and were counted as they passed by, twelve for Benjamin and Ishbaal^[b] son of Saul and twelve of the servants of David. 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,^[c] which is at Gibeon. ¹⁷ The battle was very fierce that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten by the servants of David.^(C)