The battle was very severe that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before David’s servants.
Parallel translations
- KJV And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
- BSB The battle that day was intense, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David.
- NKJV So there was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.
- NASB That day the battle was very severe, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David.
- NLT A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the forces of David.
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
A severe battle follows, and Abner's forces are defeated by David's men. David's side prevails as God's purpose advances.
Overview
The duel erupts into full battle, and the men of Israel under Abner are beaten before David's servants. The victory signals the strengthening of David's house, in keeping with God's promise. Yet the cost in Israelite lives underscores the tragedy of a kingdom divided against itself.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- 2 Sam 3:1Now there was long war between Saul’s house and David’s house. David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker.
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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 2:17 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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