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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Samuel 2:8 Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/2-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/10_2Sa_02_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 2:8 - Ish-bosheth Made King of Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim," /><script type="application/javascript" 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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_samuel/2-7.htm" title="2 Samuel 2:7">◄</a> 2 Samuel 2:8 <a href="/2_samuel/2-9.htm" title="2 Samuel 2:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/2.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/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul&#8217s army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, had already gone to Mahanaim with Saul’s son Ishbosheth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_samuel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul&#8217s army, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now [Saul’s cousin] Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth and moved him to Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul&#8217s army, took Saul&#8217s son Ish-bosheth and moved him to Mahanaim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Abner the son of Ner had been the general of Saul's army. He took Saul's son Ishbosheth across the Jordan River to Mahanaim <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The commander of Saul's army, Abner son of Ner, had fled with Saul's son Ishbosheth across the Jordan to Mahanaim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Ner's son Abner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Saul's son Ish-bosheth and brought him to Mahanaim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now Abner son of Ner, the general in command of Saul's army, had taken Saul's son Ish-bosheth and had brought him to Mahanaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, had taken Ishbaal the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abner, son of Ner, head of the host which Saul has, has taken Ish-Bosheth, son of Saul, and causes him to pass over to Mahanaim,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Abner, son of Ner, head of the host which Saul hath, hath taken Ish-Bosheth, son of Saul, and causeth him to pass over to Mahanaim,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abner, son of Ner, the chief of the army which was to Saul, took a man of shame, son a Saul, and he will cause him to pass over to Mahanaim;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But Abner the son of Ner, general of Saul's army, took Isboseth the son of Saul, and led him about through the camp? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then Abner, the son of Ner, the leader of the army of Saul, took Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, and he led him around, throughout the camp.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Abner, son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, took Ishbaal, son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbaal son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, took Ashbashul, the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Abnir, son of Nir, General of the army of Shaul, took Ashbashul, son of Shaul, and brought him to Makhanim<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But Abenner, the son of Ner, the commander-in-chief of Saul's army, took Jebosthe son of Saul, and brought him up from the camp to Manaem<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/2-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=335" 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/2.htm">Ish-bosheth Made King of Israel</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/74.htm" title="74: wə·’aḇ·nêr (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- My father is a lamp, an Isr. name. Or nabiyner; from 'ab and niyr; father of light; Abner, an Israelite.">Meanwhile, Abner</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/5369.htm" title="5369: nêr (N-proper-ms) -- Father of Abner, also the father of Kish. The same as niyr; lamp; Ner, an Israelite.">of Ner,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: śar- (N-msc) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">the commander</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: lə·šā·’ūl (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">of Saul’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6635.htm" title="6635: ṣā·ḇā (N-cs) -- Or tsbadah; from tsaba'; a mass of persons, especially reg. Organized for war; by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively.">army,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: lā·qaḥ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">took</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">Saul’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/378.htm" title="378: ’îš Man of shame, a son of Saul and king of Isr. From 'iysh and bosheth; man of shame; Ish- Bosheth, a son of King Saul."></a> <a href="/hebrew/378.htm" title="378: bō·šeṯ (N-proper-ms) -- Man of shame, a son of Saul and king of Isr. From 'iysh and bosheth; man of shame; Ish- Bosheth, a son of King Saul.">Ish-bosheth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: way·ya·‘ă·ḇi·rê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">moved him</a> <a href="/hebrew/4266.htm" title="4266: ma·ḥă·nā·yim (N-proper-fs) -- Two camps, a place E. of the Jordan. Dual of machaneh; double camp; Machanajim, a place in Palestine.">to Mahanaim,</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel.…<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="/1_samuel/14-50.htm">1 Samuel 14:50-51</a></span><br />His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner. / Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-1.htm">1 Samuel 9:1-2</a></span><br />Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. / And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-8.htm">1 Samuel 15:8-9</a></span><br />He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword. / Saul and his troops spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and the best of everything else. They were unwilling to devote them to destruction, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1-6</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-5.htm">1 Kings 2:5</a></span><br />Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/8-33.htm">1 Chronicles 8:33</a></span><br />Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/9-39.htm">1 Chronicles 9:39</a></span><br />Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/10-1.htm">1 Chronicles 10:1-6</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/11-1.htm">1 Chronicles 11:1-3</a></span><br />Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where David made a covenant with them before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/12-23.htm">1 Chronicles 12:23-40</a></span><br />Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the LORD: / From Judah: 6,800 armed troops bearing shields and spears. / From Simeon: 7,100 mighty men of valor, ready for battle. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/29-22.htm">1 Chronicles 29:22</a></span><br />That day they ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD. Then, for a second time, they designated David’s son Solomon as king, anointing him before the LORD as ruler, and Zadok as the priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-6.htm">2 Samuel 3:6-11</a></span><br />During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had continued to strengthen his position in the house of Saul. / Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?” / Abner was furious over Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I the head of a dog that belongs to Judah?” he asked. “All this time I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends. I have not delivered you into the hand of David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-1.htm">2 Samuel 5:1-3</a></span><br />Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/19-9.htm">2 Samuel 19:9-10</a></span><br />And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. / But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1-14</a></span><br />During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” / At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.) / So David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How can I make amends so that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;</p><p class="hdg">Abner</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/14-50.htm">1 Samuel 14:50</a></b></br> And the name of Saul's wife <i>was</i> Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host <i>was</i> Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55</a></b></br> And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son <i>is</i> this youth? And Abner said, <i>As</i> thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/26-14.htm">1 Samuel 26:14</a></b></br> And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who <i>art</i> thou <i>that</i> criest to the king?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/3-7.htm">2 Samuel 3:7,8</a></b></br> And Saul had a concubine, whose name <i>was</i> Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and <i>Ishbosheth</i> said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/4-5.htm">2 Samuel 4:5,6</a></b></br> And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/8-33.htm">1 Chronicles 8:33</a></b></br> And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.</p><p class="hdg">Esh-baal </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/17-26.htm">2 Samuel 17:26,27</a></b></br> So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/32-2.htm">Genesis 32:2</a></b></br> And when Jacob saw them, he said, This <i>is</i> God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/26-15.htm">Abner</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-12.htm">Army</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-5.htm">Captain</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-12.htm">Causeth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-5.htm">Commander</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-16.htm">Head</a> <a href="/1_samuel/29-6.htm">Host</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-12.htm">Ishbosheth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-12.htm">Ish-Bosheth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-5.htm">Ish-Bo'sheth</a> <a href="/joshua/21-38.htm">Mahanaim</a> <a href="/joshua/21-38.htm">Mahana'im</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-41.htm">Meanwhile</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-14.htm">Ner</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-7.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-4.htm">Saul's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/2-12.htm">Abner</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-23.htm">Army</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-2.htm">Captain</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-9.htm">Causeth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-16.htm">Commander</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-16.htm">Head</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-23.htm">Host</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-10.htm">Ishbosheth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-10.htm">Ish-Bosheth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-10.htm">Ish-Bo'sheth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-12.htm">Mahanaim</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-12.htm">Mahana'im</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-13.htm">Meanwhile</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-12.htm">Ner</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-10.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-10.htm">Saul's</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-1.htm">David, by God's direction, with his company goes up to Hebron </a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-4.htm">where he is made king of Judah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-5.htm">He commends them of Jabesh Gilead for their king of Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">Abner makes Ishbosheth king of Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-12.htm">A mortal skirmish between twelve of Abner's and twelve of Joab's men.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-18.htm">Asahel is slain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-25.htm">At Abner's motion, Joab sounds a retreat</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_samuel/2-32.htm">Asahel's burial</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/2_samuel/2.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Meanwhile</b><br />This word sets the stage for a parallel narrative, indicating that while David was being anointed king over Judah, other significant events were unfolding. It suggests a divine orchestration of events, where God's plan is being fulfilled in multiple arenas simultaneously. The Hebrew root for "meanwhile" often implies a continuation or a concurrent action, reminding us that God's work is multifaceted and beyond human comprehension.<p><b>Abner son of Ner</b><br />Abner, whose name means "father of light," was a prominent military leader and cousin to King Saul. His loyalty to Saul's house is evident, and his actions here demonstrate the political complexities following Saul's death. Historically, Abner's role as a commander underscores the importance of military leadership in ancient Israelite society. His lineage, being the son of Ner, highlights the familial ties that often influenced political decisions in the biblical narrative.<p><b>the commander of Saul’s army</b><br />This phrase emphasizes Abner's authority and influence. As the commander, he held significant power and responsibility, which he used to support Saul's dynasty. The Hebrew term for "commander" can also mean "prince" or "leader," indicating a position of high esteem and strategic importance. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient Israel, where military leaders often played crucial roles in governance and succession.<p><b>took Ish-bosheth son of Saul</b><br />Ish-bosheth, whose name means "man of shame," was Saul's surviving son. Abner's decision to take Ish-bosheth signifies a strategic move to maintain Saul's lineage on the throne. The act of "taking" implies a deliberate and forceful action, suggesting that Ish-bosheth's kingship was not entirely of his own volition but orchestrated by Abner. This highlights the theme of human ambition and the struggle for power that permeates the narrative.<p><b>and brought him over to Mahanaim</b><br />Mahanaim, meaning "two camps," was a significant location east of the Jordan River. It served as a refuge and a strategic military site. By bringing Ish-bosheth to Mahanaim, Abner was positioning him in a place of safety and strength, away from the immediate influence of David. The historical and geographical context of Mahanaim as a fortified city underscores the tactical considerations in the power struggle between the house of Saul and David.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">But Abner the son of Ner.</span>--According to <a href="/1_chronicles/9-36.htm" title="And his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab.">1Chronicles 9:36</a>, Ner was the brother of Kish, Saul's father. Abner was therefore the cousin-german of Saul, and had been made by him the commander in chief of his army (<a href="/1_samuel/14-51.htm" title="And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.">1Samuel 14:51</a>). He was thus, both by kindred and office, strongly attached to the house of Saul. He had been with Saul in his pursuit of David, and may have resented David's address to him on that occasion (<a href="/context/1_samuel/26-14.htm" title="And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answer you not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who are you that cry to the king?">1Samuel 26:14-16</a>). There is no statement of the time that had elapsed after the death of Saul before Ish-bosheth was set up as king by Abner, but it was probably four or five years, for the following reasons: Ish-bosheth reigned only two years (<a href="/2_samuel/2-10.htm" title="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.">2Samuel 2:10</a>), but David appears to have been acknowledged as king over all Israel soon after his death, and had then reigned over Judah alone seven and a half years. Again, at the death of Saul all the northern part of the country was under the control of the Philistines, and some time must have elapsed before the Israelites would have been in condition to make themselves a new king; and, finally, Ish-bosheth was the youngest of Saul's sons, born apparently some time after he came to the throne, and he was now forty years old (<a href="/2_samuel/2-10.htm" title="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.">2Samuel 2:10</a>), Saul himself having reigned about forty years (<a href="/acts/13-21.htm" title="And afterward they desired a king: and God gave to them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.">Acts 13:21</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Abner</span>. This hero had been present at the battle of Gilboa, and probably had rallied many of the defeated Israelites, and made as much resistance as was possible to the onward march of the Philistines. And as soon as he had effected his retreat into the region beyond the Jordan, his power would be supreme. There was no one there to oppose the commander-in-chief of what remained of Saul's army. Certainly all that remained of Saul's body guard of three thousand men would gather round Abner, and as the Philistines did not push their pursuit further than the Jordan, he was free to do as he chose. Nor would there be any opposition. Abner was bound to do his best for Saul's family, and the people would feel this, and approve of his conduct in standing up for the children of their king. Moreover, David by his conduct had made himself an object of suspicion to all the valiant men who had formed Saul's army, and these would be the more embittered against him by their defeat. <span class="cmt_word">Ishbosheth</span>. This name signifies "man of shame," that is, "man of the shameful thing," the idol. Originally he was named Eshbaal (<a href="/1_chronicles/8-33.htm">1 Chronicles 8:33</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/9-39.htm">1 Chronicles 9:39</a>), that is "man of Baal," the word <span class="accented">esh</span> being merely a dialectic variation for <span class="accented">ish</span>, equivalent to "man." At this early date Baal was not the specific name of any idol, but simply meant "lord," "master," "husband." In the earlier books of the Bible we find the word used of many local deities, who were lords of this or that, but had nothing in common with the Phoenician Baal, whose worship Ahab attempted to introduce into Israel. From that time Baal became a term of reproach, and Bosheth, "the shame," was substituted for it in the old names of which it had formed part. Thus Gideon is still called Jerubbaal in <a href="/1_samuel/12-11.htm">1 Samuel 12:11</a>, but the title is transformed into Jerubbesheth, or more correctly, Jerubbosheth, "let the shame plead," in <a href="/2_samuel/11-21.htm">2 Samuel 11:21</a>. Originally, therefore, the name Ishbaal had no discreditable meaning, but signified, "man of the Lord," or, as Ewald supposes, "lordly man." It was not till long afterwards, when Israel had been horrified by Jezebel's doings, that Baal, except in the sense of "husband," became an ill-omened word. Jonathan, whose own name, "Jehovah's gift," in Greek Theodore, is proof sufficient that Saul's family were worshippers of the true God, called his son's name Meribbaal, "the Lord's strife" (<a href="/1_chronicles/8-34.htm">1 Chronicles 8:34</a>). In some strange way this was altered into Mephibosheth, that is, "from the face of the shameful thing" (ch. 2 Samuel 4:4. etc.). Possibly it is a corruption of Meribbosheth, but it is remarkable that a son of Saul by his concubine Rizpah also bore the name (<a href="/2_samuel/21-8.htm">2 Samuel 21:8</a>). Among the ancestors of Saul, the simple name Baal, "Lord," occurs (<a href="/1_chronicles/8-30.htm">1 Chronicles 8:30</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Mahanaim</span>. Abner chose this town because it was on the eastern side of the Jordan, and so beyond the range of the Philistines, who never seem to have crossed the river. It was situated on the borders of the tribe of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, from both of which valiant warriors had joined David; but the people generally were not ill affected to the house of Saul. As having been assigned to the Levites (<a href="/joshua/21-38.htm">Joshua 21:38</a>), it had a quasi-religious character, inherited from the vision of angels seen there by Jacob (<a href="/genesis/32-2.htm">Genesis 32:2</a>). As a safe, out of the way place, David subsequently took refuge there (<a href="/2_samuel/17-24.htm">2 Samuel 17:24</a>). (On its exact site, see Conder's 'Heth and Moab,' pp. 177-181.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/2-8.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">Meanwhile, Abner</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַבְנֵ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’aḇ·nêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_74.htm">Strong's 74: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">son</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Ner,</span><br /><span class="heb">נֵ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(nêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5369.htm">Strong's 5369: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ner -- father of Abner, also the father of Kish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the commander</span><br /><span class="heb">שַׂר־</span> <span class="translit">(śar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8269.htm">Strong's 8269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Saul’s</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשָׁא֑וּל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šā·’ūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">army,</span><br /><span class="heb">צָבָ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·ḇā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6635.htm">Strong's 6635: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign</span><br /><br /><span class="word">took</span><br /><span class="heb">לָקַ֗ח</span> <span class="translit">(lā·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Saul’s</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁא֔וּל</span> <span class="translit">(šā·’ūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">son</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Ish-bosheth,</span><br /><span class="heb">בֹּ֙שֶׁת֙</span> <span class="translit">(bō·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_378.htm">Strong's 378: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ish-bosheth -- 'man of shame', a son of Saul and king of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">moved him</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּעֲבִרֵ֖הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘ă·ḇi·rê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Mahanaim,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחֲנָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(ma·ḥă·nā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4266.htm">Strong's 4266: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mahanaim -- 'two camps', a place East of the Jordan</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 2:8 Now Abner the son of Ner captain (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/2-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 2:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 2:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/2-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 2:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 2:9" /></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>