2 Samuel 2:17
New International Version
The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the Israelites were defeated by David’s men.

New Living Translation
A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the forces of David.

English Standard Version
And the battle was very fierce that day. And Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

Berean Standard Bible
The battle that day was intense, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David.

King James Bible
And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

New King James Version
So there was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

New American Standard Bible
That day the battle was very severe, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David.

NASB 1995
That day the battle was very severe, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

NASB 1977
And that day the battle was very severe, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

Legacy Standard Bible
And that day the battle was very severe, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated before the servants of David.

Amplified Bible
There was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

Christian Standard Bible
The battle that day was extremely fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David’s soldiers.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The battle that day was extremely fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David’s soldiers.

American Standard Version
And the battle was very sore that day: and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

Contemporary English Version
Then everyone started fighting. Both sides fought very hard, but David's soldiers defeated Abner and the soldiers of Israel.

English Revised Version
And the battle was very sore that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Fierce fighting broke out that day, and David's men defeated Abner and the men of Israel.

Good News Translation
Then a furious battle broke out, and Abner and the Israelites were defeated by David's men.

International Standard Version
The battle was very violent that day, with Abner and the men of Israel being defeated in the presence of David's servants.

Majority Standard Bible
The battle that day was intense, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David.

NET Bible
Now the battle was very severe that day; Abner and the men of Israel were overcome by David's soldiers.

New Heart English Bible
The battle was very severe that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated before the servants of David.

Webster's Bible Translation
And there was a very severe battle that day; and Abner was defeated, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

World English Bible
The battle was very severe that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before David’s servants.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the battle is very hard on that day, and Abner is struck, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

Young's Literal Translation
and the battle is very hard on that day, and Abner is smitten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the war will be hard even exceedingly, in that day; and Abner will be smitten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there was a very fierce battle that day: and Abner was put to flight, with the men of Israel, by the servants of David.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And a very harsh war rose up on that day. And Abner, with the men of Israel, was put to flight by the youths of David.

New American Bible
The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David’s servants.

New Revised Standard Version
The battle was very fierce that day; and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten by the servants of David.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And there was a very fierce battle that day; and Abner was defeated, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And there was a very severe battle on that day, and Abnir was defeated and the men of Israel before the Servants of David
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the battle was very sore that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the battle was very severe on that day; and Abenner and the men of Israel were worsted before the servants of David.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
War Between the Houses of David and Saul
16Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they all fell together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim. 17The battle that day was intense, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David. 18The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,…

Cross References
1 Samuel 14:20
Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.

1 Samuel 31:1
Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa.

1 Kings 2:32
The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.

Judges 20:20-21
And the men of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin and took up their battle positions at Gibeah. / And the Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down 22,000 Israelites on the battlefield that day.

1 Chronicles 10:1
Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel 17:47
And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

1 Samuel 18:6-7
As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. / And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

1 Samuel 19:8
When war broke out again, David went out and fought the Philistines and struck them with such a mighty blow that they fled before him.

1 Samuel 23:1-5
Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.” / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” / But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” ...

1 Samuel 30:1-2
On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.

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.

2 Samuel 8:1-2
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

2 Samuel 10:9-14
When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. / “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. ...

2 Samuel 21:15-17
Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted. / Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David. / But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You must never again go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel may not be extinguished.”


Treasury of Scripture

And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

Abner

2 Samuel 3:1
Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

Jump to Previous
Abner Battle Beaten David David's Defeated Fierce Fighting Hard Israel Routed Servants Severe Smitten Sore
Jump to Next
Abner Battle Beaten David David's Defeated Fierce Fighting Hard Israel Routed Servants Severe Smitten Sore
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














The battle that day was intense
This phrase highlights the severity and ferocity of the conflict. The battle took place during a period of civil war in Israel, following the death of King Saul. David had been anointed king over Judah, while Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, was made king over the rest of Israel by Abner, Saul's army commander. The intensity of the battle reflects the deep division and struggle for power within the nation. This conflict can be seen as part of God's unfolding plan to establish David as the rightful king over all Israel, fulfilling the prophecy given to him by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:1-13).

and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated
Abner, a skilled military leader and cousin to Saul, was a significant figure in the northern kingdom's resistance against David. His defeat signifies a turning point in the struggle for the throne. The men of Israel, representing the tribes loyal to Saul's house, were unable to withstand the forces of David. This defeat can be seen as a divine intervention, as God was with David, granting him success in his endeavors (2 Samuel 5:10). The defeat of Abner's forces foreshadows the eventual unification of Israel under David's rule.

by the servants of David
The "servants of David" refers to David's loyal followers and warriors, including his mighty men, who were known for their bravery and skill in battle. These men were not just soldiers but were deeply committed to David's leadership and God's anointing on him. Their victory over Abner's forces underscores the legitimacy of David's kingship and God's favor upon him. This phrase also points to the theme of servanthood and loyalty, which are central to David's reign and are echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate servant leader (Mark 10:45).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abner
The commander of Saul's army and a key figure in the power struggle following Saul's death. He initially supports Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, as king over Israel.

2. David
Anointed king over Judah, David is in the process of consolidating his rule over all Israel. His men are involved in the battle against Abner's forces.

3. Men of Israel
Refers to the forces loyal to Ish-bosheth and Abner, representing the northern tribes of Israel.

4. Servants of David
These are the warriors loyal to David, primarily from the tribe of Judah, who are fighting to establish David's rule over all Israel.

5. The Battle
A significant conflict in the civil war between the house of Saul and the house of David, marking a turning point in David's rise to power.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Leadership Transitions
The battle illustrates the unfolding of God's plan for David to become king over all Israel. Despite human conflicts and power struggles, God's purposes prevail.

The Cost of Division
The fierce battle highlights the destructive nature of division among God's people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of unity within the body of Christ.

Faithfulness in Adversity
David's men remained loyal and faithful in the face of fierce opposition. This teaches us the value of steadfastness and loyalty to God's anointed leaders.

The Role of Leadership
Abner's defeat underscores the importance of wise and godly leadership. Leaders must align with God's will to ensure victory and peace.(17) A very sore battle.--The combat of the twelve on each side having decided nothing, the two hosts joined battle. Abner and the Israelites were worsted. The numbers engaged were probably not large, as the whole number of the slain was nineteen on David's side, and 360 on that of Israel (2Samuel 2:30-31). It was, however, a turning-point in the struggle.

Verse 17. - A very sore battle. The purpose of Abner was thus gained. Excited by the spectacle of merciless slaughter, the armies manoeuvred no longer, but rushed fiercely to the attack, and fought with fury. But the mighty men of David were irresistible. Only nineteen of his warriors fell, while Abner lost three hundred and sixty, and was forced to flee.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The battle
הַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה (ham·mil·ḥā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

that
הַה֑וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

was
וַתְּהִ֧י (wat·tə·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

intense,
קָשָׁ֥ה (qā·šāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7186: Hard, severe

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

and the men
וְאַנְשֵׁ֣י (wə·’an·šê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

were defeated
וַיִּנָּ֤גֶף (way·yin·nā·ḡep̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5062: To push, gore, defeat, stub, inflict

by
לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the servants
עַבְדֵ֥י (‘aḇ·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

of David.
דָוִֽד׃ (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse


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OT History: 2 Samuel 2:17 The battle was very severe that day: (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 2:16
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