2 Samuel Chapter 2
Showing all 32 verses for 2 Samuel Chapter 2.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. "
"After this, David asked the LORD, "Should I go up into one of the towns of Judah?" And the LORD said, "Go up." David asked, "Where should I go?" And the LORD said, "To Hebron.""
I want you to build the habit of pausing before big life decisions to genuinely seek wisdom, rather than charging ahead on ambition or assumption - even when what you want seems obviously right. Consulting something bigger than your own instincts, whether through prayer, honest reflection, or trusted counsel, keeps you grounded.
"So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. "
"So David went up to Hebron, taking his two wives with him - Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, Nabal's widow, from Carmel."
I want you to notice that big new beginnings often carry your whole life and relationships with you into them - you don't start entirely fresh, you bring your people, your history, your commitments along. Honour those bonds as you step into new chapters, rather than leaving them behind.
"And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they in the cities of Hebron. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"David also brought up the men who had been with him, each with his own family, and they settled in the towns around Hebron."
I want you to remember and include the people who stood by you in hard times when good times finally arrive. Success that forgets those who supported you through struggle isn't the kind of success worth having. Bring your loyal people up with you.
"And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul. "
"Then the men of Judah came and anointed David king over the tribe of Judah. And they told David that it was the men of Jabesh-gilead who had buried Saul."
I want you to accept that meaningful progress is often partial before it's complete. David doesn't get the whole kingdom at once - he starts with what's actually available to him and builds from there. Be willing to embrace a real but incomplete step forward rather than waiting only for the whole outcome.
"And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. "
"David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said, "May the LORD bless you, because you showed this kindness to your lord Saul by burying him.""
I want you to celebrate loyalty and integrity in others, even when it wasn't loyalty to you personally. That's a mark of real security and generosity - praising what's good in people regardless of whether it benefited you directly. Don't make everything about your own advantage.
"And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. "
""And now, may the LORD show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will repay you for what you have done.""
I want you to let your appreciation for others go beyond words into action. It's easy to say "well done" and move on - David commits to actually repaying kindness. Look for real, tangible ways to honour the people who have done right, not just verbal praise.
"Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. "
""So now, be strong and brave - your master Saul is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me as their king.""
I want you to see that caring for people and having clear direction aren't opposites - you can comfort someone's grief and still be honest about what comes next. Genuine compassion doesn't require you to hide your own purpose; it can walk hand in hand with it.
"But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; "
"Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him over to Mahanaim."
I want you to notice how quickly ambition and self-interest can hijack a moment that should be about legitimate succession. Abner's move here isn't really about honouring Saul's family - it's about Abner retaining his own power behind a puppet king. Be wary of the difference between genuinely serving others and using them as a means to your own ends.
"And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. "
"Abner made Ishbosheth king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and the rest of Israel."
I want you to recognise that promised outcomes often unfold slower and messier than we'd like, with real obstacles in between. David has been anointed as future king, yet here is a whole rival kingdom standing in his way. Patience and integrity through the delay matter as much as the eventual destination.
"Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. "
"Ishbosheth, Saul's son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. But the tribe of Judah followed David."
I want you to understand that not every position of power or authority is built to last, especially one propped up by someone else's ambition rather than genuine calling or character. Look for what's built on integrity and real purpose - those are the things that endure.
"And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. "
"David was king in Hebron over the tribe of Judah for a total of seven years and six months."
I want you to take heart from how long David had to remain faithful in a partial, unfinished situation before the fuller picture arrived. Big callings and dreams are rarely instant. Keep doing the work well in the "meanwhile" - it is not wasted time.
"And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. "
"Abner son of Ner, together with the soldiers of Ishbosheth, marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon."
I want you to feel the real weight of division within a family or community - people who should be allies turning into combatants. When you find yourself in conflict with those who are, at heart, "your own people," look hard for a path that doesn't require bloodshed to settle it.
"And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. "
"Joab son of Zeruiah, along with David's soldiers, went out and met Abner's forces at the pool of Gibeon; the two groups sat down facing each other, one side on each side of the pool."
I want you to notice how conflict often has a quiet, tense moment before it breaks out - a last chance for restraint. Pay attention to those pauses in your own disputes; they can be opportunities to choose a different path before things escalate beyond control.
"And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. "
"Abner said to Joab, "Let's have the young men get up and fight it out in front of us." And Joab said, "Let them get up.""
I want you to be very careful with how you frame violence or conflict, even in your own mind - calling something "just a bit of fun" or "no big deal" can be the first step towards real harm. Take seriously the weight of what you're actually proposing before you set it in motion.
"Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. "
"So twelve men from Benjamin, representing Ishbosheth, and twelve of David's men, got up and crossed over to face each other."
I want you to see how even well-intentioned structures around conflict can't always contain the violence they set in motion. Twelve against twelve sounds fair and orderly - but death doesn't stay orderly. Be cautious about assuming any conflict, however carefully bounded, will stay contained.
"And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon. "
"Each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent's side, so that they all fell down together - which is why that place is called Helkath-hazzurim ("the field of blades"), in Gibeon."
I want you to reflect on how a moment framed as a contest or a display of strength can end in a loss so total there's no winner at all. When pride or rivalry pushes people towards confrontation, ask whether victory is even possible, or whether everyone involved simply loses together.
"And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David. "
"The battle that followed that day was fierce, and Abner and the army of Israel were defeated by David's men."
I want you to notice that even a clear "win" in a conflict like this comes soaked in loss on every side - real people, real families, are grieving regardless of who is declared victorious. Winning a fight is rarely as clean or satisfying as it looks from the outside.
"And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. "
"Three sons of Zeruiah were there - Joab, Abishai, and Asahel - and Asahel was as fast on his feet as a wild gazelle."
I want you to recognise your own gifts honestly, but also recognise their limits. Being fast, talented, or capable at something doesn't mean you're equipped for every situation that talent tempts you into. Wisdom is knowing not just what you can do, but when you shouldn't.
"And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. "
"Asahel chased after Abner, refusing to turn aside to the right or the left as he pursued him."
I want you to check whether your determination is actually wisdom or just momentum you can't seem to stop. Not every pursuit deserves your total commitment - sometimes real strength is having the flexibility to change course when the situation calls for it.
"Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. "
"Abner glanced back and said, "Is that you, Asahel?" And he answered, "It is.""
I want you to notice how recognising someone as a real person - by name, by relationship - can be the first step towards trying to prevent harm rather than causing it. Abner doesn't want to kill this young man; seeing him as himself, not just an enemy, matters.
"And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. "
"Abner said to him, "Turn aside to the right or the left, and go grab one of the young soldiers instead, and take his weapons and armour for yourself." But Asahel refused to turn away from chasing him."
I want you to recognise a genuine offramp when someone offers you one, especially when pride is the only thing keeping you on a dangerous path. There's no shame in accepting a wiser, safer alternative to a fight you're not equipped to win. Courage without discernment can be indistinguishable from foolishness.
"And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? "
"Abner said again, "Turn away from chasing me - why should I have to strike you down? How could I ever look your brother Joab in the face again?""
I want you to think ahead, as Abner does here, about the relationships and consequences beyond the immediate moment before you act in anger or self-defence. Sometimes avoiding an action isn't weakness, it's wisdom about the ripple effects it will have on people connected to this moment.
"Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. "
"But Asahel refused to turn away, so Abner struck him with the butt end of his spear, driving it through his stomach and out his back. Asahel fell down and died on the spot, and everyone who came to where he lay stopped in their tracks."
I want you to understand that even when violence feels forced upon someone, as it was here for Abner, it still leaves real devastation behind - there's no clean version of this. When you find yourself cornered into causing harm, don't let it go unmourned or treated lightly, even if you believe you had no other choice.
"Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. "
"Joab and Abishai kept chasing after Abner, and the sun was setting by the time they reached the hill of Ammah, near Giah, on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon."
I want you to notice how grief can easily turn into a pursuit of vengeance that outlasts its own usefulness. There's a natural point where continuing to chase pain only creates more of it. Learn to recognise your own "sundown" moments - signs that it's time to stop rather than push further.
"And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. "
"The men of Benjamin regrouped behind Abner, forming a single unit, and took up a defensive position on top of a hill."
I want you to see how even in defeat, there's a moment where a person or group can choose to regroup with dignity and resolve rather than complete collapse. Setbacks don't have to mean surrender - there's real courage in taking a stand and steadying yourself after being routed.
"Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren? "
"Then Abner called out to Joab, "Must the sword go on killing forever? Don't you realise this will only end in bitterness? How much longer before you tell your men to stop chasing their own brothers?""
I want you to ask yourself Abner's question in your own conflicts: where does this actually end, and what will be left when it does? Recognising your opponent as "your brother," someone fundamentally on your side of humanity, is often the first step towards finding the courage to stop.
"And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. "
"Joab replied, "As God is my witness, if you hadn't spoken up, the men would have kept pursuing their brothers until morning.""
I want you to notice that being capable of wisdom in one moment doesn't guarantee you'll act wisely in every moment that follows - character has to be practised consistently, not just shown once. Don't assume a single good decision settles the matter for good; keep choosing well, especially when old grievances resurface later.
"So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. "
"So Joab blew the trumpet, and all his men stopped in their tracks - they gave up the pursuit and stopped fighting."
I want you to see the value of following through decisively once you've made the right call to stop. It's not enough to agree internally that enough is enough - Joab acts on it immediately and completely. When you decide to end a harmful pattern, follow through fully, don't let it drag on out of habit or momentum.
"And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim. "
"Abner and his men marched all through the night, crossed the Jordan River, travelled through the whole Bithron region, and arrived back at Mahanaim."
I want you to recognise that after a hard defeat, sometimes the wisest immediate action is simply to withdraw, regroup, and get your people to safety, rather than trying to salvage pride in the moment. There's no shame in a strategic retreat after a genuinely bad day.
"And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel. "
"Joab turned back from chasing Abner, and when he gathered all his men together, he found that nineteen of David's soldiers were missing, besides Asahel."
I want you to remember that a "successful" outcome still has a real cost that deserves to be counted and honoured, not brushed aside. Even in victory, take the time to properly acknowledge what and who was lost along the way.
"But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred and threescore men died. "
"But David's men had struck down three hundred and sixty of Benjamin and Abner's soldiers."
I want you to sit with the scale of loss on both sides of any conflict, not just celebrate the numbers that favour "your side." Three hundred and sixty families lost someone that day. However one-sided a victory looks on paper, real grief doesn't respect the final score.
"And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day. "
"They took Asahel's body and buried him in his father's tomb in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched through the night and arrived back in Hebron at daybreak."
I want you to notice how even amid ongoing conflict, taking the time to properly honour and bury your dead - to bring them home - matters deeply. Don't let busyness, ongoing struggle, or the next task crowd out the basic human dignity owed to those you've lost.