2 Samuel 2:12-17
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
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)
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2 Samuel 2:12-17
New American Standard Bible
Civil War
12 Now Abner the son of Ner, went from Mahanaim to (A)Gibeon with the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul. 13 And (B)Joab the son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met [a]them by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, [b]Abner’s men on the one side of the pool and [c]Joab’s men on the other side of the pool. 14 Then Abner said to Joab, “Now have the young men arise and (C)hold a martial skills match in our presence.” And Joab said, “Have them arise!” 15 So they got up and went over by count, twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve from the servants of David. 16 And each one of them seized his [d]opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his [e]opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called [f]Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. 17 That day the battle was very severe, and (D)Abner and the men of Israel were defeated [g]by the servants of David.
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- 2 Samuel 2:13 Lit them together
- 2 Samuel 2:13 Lit these on
- 2 Samuel 2:13 Lit these on
- 2 Samuel 2:16 Lit fellow
- 2 Samuel 2:16 Lit fellow’s
- 2 Samuel 2:16 I.e., the field of sword-edges
- 2 Samuel 2:17 Lit in front of
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