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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_samuel/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The battle raged all across the countryside, and more men died because of the forest than were killed by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_samuel/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The battle spread over the face of all the country, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For the battle there was scattered over the face of the whole countryside, and the woods devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the battle there was spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For the battle there was spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For the battle there was spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the battle there was scattered over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For the battle there was spread out over the surface of the entire countryside, and the [hazards of the] forest devoured more men that day than did the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The battle spread over the entire area, and that day the forest claimed more people than the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The battle spread over the entire region, and that day the forest claimed more people than the sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For the battle was there spread over the face of all the country; and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For the battle was there spread over the face of all the country: and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The fighting spread over the whole country. That day the woods devoured more people than the battle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The fighting spread over the countryside, and more men died in the forest than were killed in battle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The battle spread throughout the entire countryside, and the forest claimed more casualties that day than did the sword fighting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The battle there was spread out over the whole area, and the forest consumed more soldiers than the sword devoured that day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For the battle spread over the entire region, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For the battle was there spread over the surface of all the country, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the battle there is scattered over the face of all the land, and the forest multiplies to devour among the people more than those whom the sword has devoured in that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the battle is there scattered over the face of all the land, and the forest multiplieth to devour among the people more than those whom the sword hath devoured in that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And there the battle will be scattered upon the face of all the earth: and the forest will multiply to consume of the people above what the sword will consume in that day.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the battle there was scattered over the face of all the country, and there were many more of the people whom the forest consumed, than whom the sword devoured that day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now the battle in that place was dispersed over the face of all the land. And there were many more of the people whom the forest had consumed, than the sword had devoured, on that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The battle spread out over that entire region, and the forest consumed more combatants that day than did the sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The battle spread over the face of all the country; and the forest claimed more victims that day than the sword.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For there was a great battle which spread over the face of the country; and the wild beasts of the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the battle was very great over the face of the land, and the beast of the forest consumed more of the people than the sword destroyed on that day<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For the battle was there spread over the face of all the country; and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the battle there was scattered over the face of all the land: and the wood consumed more of the people than the sword consumed among the people in that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/18-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=5173" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Absalom Killed</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wat·tə·hî- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: ham·mil·ḥā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">The battle</a> <a href="/hebrew/6327.htm" title="6327: nå̄·p̄ō·ṣēṯ (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To be dispersed or scattered. A primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively.">spread</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḵāl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">the whole</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">countryside,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">and that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yō·wm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">day</a> <a href="/hebrew/3293.htm" title="3293: hay·ya·‘ar (Art:: N-ms) -- From an unused root probably meaning to thicken with verdure; a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb.">the forest</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: le·’ĕ·ḵōl (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">devoured</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: way·ye·reḇ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">more</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: bā·‘ām (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">people</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: mê·’ă·šer (Prep-m:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">than</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ā·ḵə·lāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ha·ḥe·reḇ (Art:: N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">the sword.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Now Absalom was riding on his mule when he met the servants of David, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so that he was suspended in midair.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/5-20.htm">Judges 5:20-21</a></span><br />From the heavens the stars fought; from their courses they fought against Sisera. / The River Kishon swept them away, the ancient river, the River Kishon. March on, O my soul, in strength!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/10-11.htm">Joshua 10:11</a></span><br />As they fled before Israel along the descent from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD cast down on them large hailstones from the sky, and more of them were killed by the hailstones than by the swords of the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-15.htm">1 Samuel 14:15</a></span><br />Then panic struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked, and panic spread from God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-18.htm">Isaiah 10:18-19</a></span><br />The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man. / The remaining trees of its forests will be so few that a child could count them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/24-18.htm">Isaiah 24:18</a></span><br />Whoever flees the sound of panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/48-44.htm">Jeremiah 48:44</a></span><br />“Whoever flees the panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For I will bring upon Moab the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/32-4.htm">Ezekiel 32:4-5</a></span><br />I will abandon you on the land and hurl you into the open field. I will cause all the birds of the air to settle upon you, and all the beasts of the earth to eat their fill of you. / I will put your flesh on the mountains and fill the valleys with your remains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/18-7.htm">Psalm 18:7</a></span><br />Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/46-2.htm">Psalm 46:2-3</a></span><br />Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, / though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-13.htm">Psalm 83:13-15</a></span><br />Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind. / As fire consumes a forest, as a flame sets the mountains ablaze, / so pursue them with Your tempest, and terrify them with Your storm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-15.htm">Revelation 6:15-17</a></span><br />Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. / And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. / For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/12-16.htm">Revelation 12:16</a></span><br />But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-17.htm">Revelation 19:17-18</a></span><br />Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, / so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-7.htm">Matthew 24:7</a></span><br />Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-11.htm">Luke 21:11</a></span><br />There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/15-10.htm">Exodus 15:10</a></b></br> Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/10-11.htm">Joshua 10:11</a></b></br> And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, <i>and</i> were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: <i>they were</i> more which died with hailstones than <i>they</i> whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/5-20.htm">Judges 5:20,21</a></b></br> They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/18-6.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-6.htm">Claimed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-23.htm">Country</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-23.htm">Countryside</a> <a href="/judges/5-18.htm">Deaths</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-26.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-24.htm">Devoured</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-19.htm">Face</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-26.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-6.htm">Forest</a> <a href="/exodus/1-12.htm">Multiplieth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-15.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-19.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-19.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-7.htm">Surface</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-7.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-3.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-6.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-6.htm">Woods</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/19-3.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-10.htm">Claimed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-21.htm">Country</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-27.htm">Countryside</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-4.htm">Deaths</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-9.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-9.htm">Devoured</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-28.htm">Face</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-23.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-17.htm">Forest</a> <a href="/job/9-17.htm">Multiplieth</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-7.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-15.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-10.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-34.htm">Surface</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-11.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-2.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-17.htm">Wood</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-17.htm">Woods</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/18-1.htm">David viewing the armies in their march gives them charge of Absalom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/18-6.htm">The Israelites are sorely smitten in the wood of ephraim</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/18-9.htm">Absalom, hanging in an oak is slain by Joab, and cast into a pit</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/18-18.htm">Absalom's place</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/18-19.htm">Ahimaaz and Cushi bring tidings to David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/18-33.htm">David mourns for Absalom</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_samuel/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The battle spread over the whole countryside</b><br>This phrase indicates the extensive nature of the conflict between David's forces and those of Absalom. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim, a region east of the Jordan River. This area was known for its dense woods and rugged terrain, which would have made traditional combat difficult. The widespread nature of the battle suggests a chaotic and unpredictable engagement, reflecting the disorder that often accompanies civil strife. The geographical setting emphasizes the strategic challenges faced by both armies, as the terrain could easily disrupt formations and communication.<p><b>and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword</b><br>The forest of Ephraim is depicted almost as an active participant in the battle, claiming more lives than the combat itself. This can be seen as a divine intervention, where natural elements play a role in the outcome of human conflicts. The forest's dense undergrowth, hidden ravines, and possibly wild animals would have posed significant dangers to soldiers unfamiliar with the terrain. This imagery of the forest "devouring" people may also symbolize the consequences of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David, highlighting the futility and self-destructive nature of opposing God's anointed king. Theologically, it underscores the belief that God can use any means to achieve His purposes, even the natural environment. This event can be connected to other instances in Scripture where God uses nature to fulfill His will, such as the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus or the great fish in the story of Jonah.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>- The King of Israel, who is in conflict with his son Absalom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/absalom.htm">Absalom</a></b><br>- David's son, who has rebelled against his father and is leading a revolt.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_forest_of_ephraim.htm">The Forest of Ephraim</a></b><br>- The location where the battle takes place, known for its dense and treacherous terrain.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_battle.htm">The Battle</a></b><br>- A significant conflict between the forces of David and Absalom.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_soldiers.htm">The Soldiers</a></b><br>- The men fighting on both sides, many of whom perish in the forest.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_battle.htm">God's Sovereignty in Battle</a></b><br>The unexpected role of the forest in the battle reminds us that God is in control of all circumstances, even in warfare.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_rebellion.htm">The Consequences of Rebellion</a></b><br>Absalom's rebellion against David leads to unnecessary loss of life, illustrating the destructive nature of sin and disobedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_unpredictability_of_life.htm">The Unpredictability of Life</a></b><br>Just as the forest claimed more lives than the sword, life can be unpredictable, and we must trust in God's plan and protection.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_nature_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Nature in God's Plan</a></b><br>Nature is often used by God to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the forest's impact on the battle's outcome.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_god's_guidance.htm">The Importance of Seeking God's Guidance</a></b><br>In conflicts and decisions, seeking God's guidance is crucial, as human efforts alone can lead to unforeseen consequences.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_samuel_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_the_forest_'devour'_more_troops.htm">How can the forest “devour” more troops than swords (2 Samuel 18:8), and is there any historical or natural explanation for such a phenomenon? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_20,000_deaths_in_2_sam_18_7_realistic.htm">Does the reported death toll of 20,000 men (2 Samuel 18:7) reflect a realistic military outcome for that period, or is it exaggerated? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_findings_confirm_2_samuel_18_events.htm">Do archaeological findings or historical records outside the Bible provide evidence confirming or contradicting the events described in 2 Samuel 18?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/david's_horsemen_capture__1,700_or_7,000.htm">When David defeated the King of Zobah, how many horsemen did he capture? One thousand and seven hundred (2 Samuel 8:4) Seven thousand (I Chronicles 18:4)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">The wood devoured more.</span>--The battle and the pursuit covered a wide range of country; more were slain in the pursuit through the wood, both by accident and by the sword, than in the actual battle itself.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The battle was there scattered.</span> The word in the Hebrew is a noun, which the Massorites have changed into a participle. But the noun is right: "The battle became a scattering," that is, it was a series of disconnected encounters, in which David's three divisions attacked and routed Absalom's men, while still on the march, without giving them an opportunity of collecting and forming in order of battle. <span class="cmt_word">And the wood devoured more people that day thin the sword devoured.</span> The woodland was difficult, full of gorges and begs and steep defiles leading down to the Jordan, and the fugitives easily lest their way in it, and wandered about till they were hopelessly entangled in thicket and morass. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/18-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The battle</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mil·ḥā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> </span><span class="str2">A battle, war</span><br /><br /><span class="word">spread</span><br /><span class="heb">נָפֹ֖צֶת‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(nā·p̄ō·ṣeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6327.htm">Strong's 6327: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dispersed or scattered</span><br /><br /><span class="word">over</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the whole</span><br /><span class="heb">כָל־</span> <span class="translit">(ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">countryside,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֑רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and that</span><br /><span class="heb">הַהֽוּא׃</span> <span class="translit">(ha·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">day</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּיּ֥וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(bay·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the forest</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיַּ֙עַר֙</span> <span class="translit">(hay·ya·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3293.htm">Strong's 3293: </a> </span><span class="str2">A copse of bushes, a forest, honey in the comb</span><br /><br /><span class="word">devoured</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶאֱכֹ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(le·’ĕ·ḵōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">more</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֶּ֤רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(way·ye·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">people</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּעָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(bā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sword.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחֶ֖רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/18-8.htm">2 Samuel 18:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/18-8.htm">2 Samuel 18:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/18-8.htm">2 Samuel 18:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/18-8.htm">2 Samuel 18:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/18-8.htm">2 Samuel 18:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/18-8.htm">2 Samuel 18:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/18-8.htm">2 Samuel 18:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/18-8.htm">2 Samuel 18:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/18-8.htm">2 Samuel 18:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/18-8.htm">2 Samuel 18:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/18-8.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 18:8 For the battle was there spread over (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/18-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 18:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 18:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/18-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 18:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 18:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>