So the people went out into the field of battle against Israel. And the battle was in the woods 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;
- BSB So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel in the battle, which took place in the forest 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 17:18but the hill country shall be yours. Although it is a forest, you shall cut it down, and it’s farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.”
- Josh 17:15Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest, and clear land for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim; since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”
- Judg 12:4–6Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim. The men of Gilead struck Ephraim, because they said, “You are fugitives of Ephraim, you Gileadites, in the middle of Ephraim, and in the middle of 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.