Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.
Parallel translations
- WEB Then David came to Mahanaim. Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
- KJV Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
- NKJV Then David went to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
- NASB Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
- NLT David soon arrived at Mahanaim. By now, Absalom had mobilized the entire army of Israel and was leading his troops across the Jordan River.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David reaches Mahanaim while Absalom crosses the Jordan in pursuit with Israel's army. The two forces move toward the decisive confrontation.
Overview
David finds refuge in Mahanaim, the same region where Ish-bosheth once reigned, while Absalom presses across the river after him. The geography sets the stage for the coming battle in the forest of Ephraim. God has brought His king to a place of support and strength, preparing the ground for deliverance.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- 2 Sam 2:8Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,
- Gen 32:2When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim.
- Josh 13:26the territory from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 17:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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