2 Samuel 20:7 So Joab's men, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, marched out of Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.

◄ 2 Samuel 20:7 ►

New International Version
So Joab’s men and the Kerethites and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

New Living Translation
So Abishai and Joab, together with the king’s bodyguard and all the mighty warriors, set out from Jerusalem to go after Sheba.

English Standard Version
And there went out after him Joab’s men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

Berean Standard Bible
So Joab’s men, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, marched out of Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.

King James Bible
And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

New King James Version
So Joab’s men, with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, went out after him. And they went out of Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

New American Standard Bible
So Joab’s men went out after him, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the warriors; and they left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

NASB 1995
So Joab’s men went out after him, along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men; and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

NASB 1977
So Joab’s men went out after him, along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men; and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Joab’s men pursued him, along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men; and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

Amplified Bible
So Joab’s men went after him, along with [David’s bodyguards] the Cherethites and Pelethites and all the warriors; they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

Christian Standard Bible
So Joab’s men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the warriors marched out under Abishai’s command; they left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Joab’s men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the warriors marched out under Abishai’s command; they left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

American Standard Version
And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

Contemporary English Version
Abishai left Jerusalem to try and capture Sheba. He took along Joab and his soldiers, as well as David's bodyguard and best troops.

English Revised Version
And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Joab's men, the Cherethites, Pelethites, and all the soldiers went with Abishai. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba, Bichri's son.

Good News Translation
So Joab's men, the royal bodyguards, and all the other soldiers left Jerusalem with Abishai to go after Sheba.

International Standard Version
So Joab's men, the special forces and mercenaries, and all of David's elite forces left Jerusalem in pursuit of Bichri's son Sheba.

Majority Standard Bible
So Joab’s men, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, marched out of Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.

NET Bible
So Joab's men, accompanied by the Kerethites, the Pelethites, and all the warriors, left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bicri.

New Heart English Bible
So there went out after him Joab's men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the warriors. And they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

Webster's Bible Translation
And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

World English Bible
Joab’s men went out after him with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the men of Joab go out after him, and the Cherethite, and the Pelethite, and all the mighty men, and they go out from Jerusalem to pursue after Sheba son of Bichri;

Young's Literal Translation
And the men of Joab go out after him, and the Cherethite, and the Pelethite, and all the mighty men, and they go out from Jerusalem to pursue after Sheba son of Bichri;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joab's men went forth after him, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and all the mighty went forth from Jerusalem to pursue after Sheba son of Bichri.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
So Joab's men went out with him, and the Cerethi and the Phelethi: and all the valiant men went out of Jerusalem to pursue after Seba the son of Bochri.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, the men of Joab departed with him, along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites. And all the able-bodied men went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba, the son of Bichri.

New American Bible
So Joab and the Cherethites and Pelethites and all the warriors marched out behind Abishai from Jerusalem to campaign in pursuit of Sheba, son of Bichri.

New Revised Standard Version
Joab’s men went out after him, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the warriors; they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And there went out after him Joab's men, the noblemen and the army and all the mighty men; and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Shamoa, the son of Bichri.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the companions of Yuab went out after him, Freemen and Soldiers and all the mighty men, and they went out from Jerusalem and they went after Shamu, son of Bakri

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there went out after him Amessai and the men of Joab, and the Cherethites, and the Phelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue after Sabee the son of Bochori.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Sheba's Rebellion
…6And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and elude us.” 7So Joab’s men, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, marched out of Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri. 8And while they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa joined them. Now Joab was dressed in military attire, with a dagger strapped to his belt. And as he stepped forward, he slipped the dagger from its sheath.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Samuel 2:18-23
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle, / and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit. / And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied. ...

2 Samuel 3:30
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

2 Samuel 8:16
Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

2 Samuel 18:2
He sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the troops, “I will surely march out with you as well.”

2 Samuel 23:18-19
Now Abishai, the brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. / Was he not more honored than the Three? And he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

1 Kings 1:38-40
Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. / Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!” / All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth was split by the sound.

1 Kings 2:5
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.

1 Chronicles 11:20-21
Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three, and he wielded his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. / He was doubly honored above the Three, and he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

1 Chronicles 18:15
Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

1 Chronicles 27:5-6
The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division. / This Benaiah was mighty among the Thirty and was over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.

1 Chronicles 27:34
Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.

Matthew 26:47
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Mark 14:43
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders.

Luke 22:47
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.

John 18:3
So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

Treasury of Scripture

And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.

2 Samuel 20:23
Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:

2 Samuel 8:16,18
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; …

2 Samuel 15:18
And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

Jump to Previous

Abishai Abi'shai Bichri Bicri Cherethite Cherethites Cher'ethites Command Fighting-Men Jerusalem Joab Jo'ab Joab's Kerethites Marched Mighty Overtake Pelethite Pelethites Pel'ethites Pursue Sheba Warriors

Jump to Next

2 Samuel 20

1. By occasion of the quarrel, Sheba rebels in Israel
3. David's ten concubines are put in confinement for life
4. Amasa, made captain over Judah, is slain by Joab
14. Joab pursues Sheba to Abel
16. A wise woman saves the city by Sheba's head
23. David's officers

Berean Study Bible

So Joab’s men
This phrase refers to the loyal forces under the command of Joab, King David's military commander. Joab was a formidable and often ruthless leader, known for his strategic prowess and unwavering loyalty to David. The Hebrew root for "men" (אֲנָשִׁים, anashim) often implies not just male individuals but warriors or soldiers, emphasizing their readiness for battle. Historically, Joab's men were seasoned fighters, having been involved in numerous conflicts during David's reign, which underscores their capability and determination in pursuing Sheba.

along with the Cherethites, Pelethites
The Cherethites and Pelethites were elite mercenary groups serving as David's personal bodyguards. The origin of the Cherethites is often linked to Crete, suggesting they were foreign mercenaries, while the Pelethites' origins are less clear but are thought to be a similar group. These groups were known for their loyalty and effectiveness, often serving as a stabilizing force within David's kingdom. Their inclusion in this pursuit highlights the seriousness of the threat posed by Sheba and the need for a swift and decisive response.

and all the mighty warriors
This phrase emphasizes the involvement of David's most valiant and skilled fighters. The Hebrew term for "mighty warriors" (גִּבּוֹרִים, gibborim) conveys the idea of strength and valor. These were not ordinary soldiers but were renowned for their bravery and combat skills. Their participation indicates the gravity of the situation and the importance of quelling Sheba's rebellion to maintain the unity and stability of Israel.

set out from Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the political and spiritual center of Israel, serves as the starting point for this military expedition. The city's mention underscores its significance as the heart of David's kingdom and the launching pad for actions to protect and preserve the nation. The departure from Jerusalem symbolizes the mobilization of national resources to address internal threats, reflecting the central role of the city in Israel's governance and defense.

to pursue Sheba son of Bichri
Sheba, identified as the son of Bichri, was a Benjamite who led a rebellion against King David. The act of pursuing Sheba highlights the urgency and importance of quelling his insurrection. In the historical context, Sheba's rebellion represented a significant threat to the unity of Israel, as it came on the heels of Absalom's revolt. The pursuit underscores the need for decisive action to prevent further division and to restore order within the kingdom.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) Joab's men.--The body of men who were usually under Joab's immediate command, and who would readily follow his brother, whom they had been accustomed to see associated with him. On "the Che-rethites and the Pelethites," see Note on 2Samuel 8:18. "The mighty men" (see 2Samuel 23:8) appear to have been an especial body of heroes, probably made up chiefly of those who had been with David in his life as an outlaw.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - There went out after him - that is, under Abishai's command (comp. ver. 2) - Joab's men. The men who formed his regular attendants, and to whose number belonged the ten armour bearers who slew Absalom (2 Samuel 18:15). Joab retained their command, and probably they would not have served under any other person. It is evident from the enumeration in this verse that the "men of Judah," after escorting David to Jerusalem, had all dispersed to their own homes.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

So Joab’s
יוֹאָ֔ב (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

men,
אַנְשֵׁ֣י (’an·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

along with the Cherethites,
וְהַכְּרֵתִ֥י (wə·hak·kə·rê·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3774: Cherethites -- the foreign bodyguard of King David

the Pelethites,
וְהַפְּלֵתִ֖י (wə·hap·pə·lê·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6432: A courier, official messenger

and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the mighty men,
הַגִּבֹּרִ֑ים (hag·gib·bō·rîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

marched out of
וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙ (way·yê·ṣə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

Jerusalem
מִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם (mî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

in pursuit
לִרְדֹּ֕ף (lir·dōp̄)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

of Sheba
שֶׁ֥בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7652: Sheba -- two Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Bichri.
בִּכְרִֽי׃ (biḵ·rî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1075: Bichri -- 'youthful', a Benjamite, perhaps also his desc

Links

2 Samuel 20:7 NIV
2 Samuel 20:7 NLT
2 Samuel 20:7 ESV
2 Samuel 20:7 NASB
2 Samuel 20:7 KJV

2 Samuel 20:7 BibleApps.com
2 Samuel 20:7 Biblia Paralela
2 Samuel 20:7 Chinese Bible
2 Samuel 20:7 French Bible
2 Samuel 20:7 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Samuel 20:7 There went out after him Joab's men (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)