So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel in the battle, which took place in the forest of Ephraim.
Parallel translations
- WEB So the people went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim.
- KJV So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
- NKJV So the people went out into the field of battle against Israel. And the battle was in the woods of Ephraim.
- NASB Then the people went out to the field against Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.
- NLT So the battle began in the forest of Ephraim,
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
The armies clash in the forest of Ephraim. The decisive battle of the rebellion begins.
Overview
David's forces engage Absalom's army in wooded terrain, where the difficult ground will shape the outcome. The setting is providentially significant, as the forest itself becomes an agent of judgment (v. 8). The verse opens the climactic conflict that will end the revolt against the LORD's anointed.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Josh 17:18because the hill country will be yours as well. It is a forest; clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours. Although the Canaanites have iron chariots and although they are strong, you can drive them out.”
- Josh 17:15Joshua answered them, “If you have so many people that the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go to the forest and clear for yourself an area in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim.”
- Judg 12:4–6Jephthah then gathered all the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck them down because the Ephraimites had said, “You Gileadites are fugitives in Ephraim, living in the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh.”
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 18:6 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.