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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 2:30 When Joab returned from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David's servants were missing,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/2-30.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/10_2Sa_02_30.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 2:30 - War Between the Houses of David and Saul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When Joab returned from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David's servants were missing," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_samuel/2-30.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_samuel/2-30.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/">2 Samuel</a> > <a href="/2_samuel/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 30</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_samuel/2-29.htm" title="2 Samuel 2:29">◄</a> 2 Samuel 2:30 <a href="/2_samuel/2-31.htm" title="2 Samuel 2:31">►</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 />Then Joab stopped pursuing Abner and assembled the whole army. Besides Asahel, nineteen of David&#8217s men were found missing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Joab and his men also returned home. When Joab counted his casualties, he discovered that only 19 men were missing in addition to Asahel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_samuel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Joab returned from the pursuit of Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing from David’s servants nineteen men besides Asahel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Joab returned from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David’s servants were missing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So Joab returned from pursuing Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Joab returned from pursuing Abner; but he gathered all the people together, and nineteen of David’s servants were missing, besides Asahel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Joab returned from following Abner; when he had gathered all the people together, nineteen of David&#8217s servants besides Asahel were missing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Joab returned from following Abner; when he had gathered all the people together, nineteen of David’s servants besides Asahel were missing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Joab returned from following Abner. And he had gathered all the people together, and nineteen of David’s servants besides Asahel were missing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Joab returned from pursuing Abner; and when he had gathered all the people together, nineteen of David’s servants were missing, besides Asahel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Joab had turned back from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David’s soldiers were missing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Joab had turned back from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, 19 of David&#8217s soldiers were missing, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_samuel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />As soon as Joab stopped chasing Abner, he got David's troops together and counted them. There were 19 missing besides Asahel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Joab returned from chasing Abner. When he had gathered all the troops, [only] 19 of David's officers and Asahel were missing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When Joab gave up the chase, he gathered all his men and found that nineteen of them were missing, in addition to Asahel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Joab returned from his pursuit of Abner, and when he had mustered his entire army, nineteen of David's soldiers were missing besides Asahel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Joab returned from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David’s servants were missing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now Joab returned from chasing Abner and assembled all the people. Nineteen of David's soldiers were missing, in addition to Asahel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Joab returned from pursuing Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing from David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had assembled all the people, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men, and Asahel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Joab returned from following Abner; and when he had gathered all the people together, nineteen men of David’s and Asahel were missing. <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 Joab has turned back from after Abner, and gathers all the people, and there are lacking of the servants of David nineteen men, and Asahel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Joab hath turned back from after Abner, and gathereth all the people, and there are lacking of the servants of David nineteen men, and Asahel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_samuel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Joab turned back from after Abner: and he will gather all the people together and they will review from the servants of David nineteen men and Asahel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_samuel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Joab returning, after he had left Abner, assembled all the people: and there were wanting of David's servants nineteen men, beside Asael. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But Joab, returning after he had released Abner, gathered together all the people. And of David’s youths, they were missing nineteen men, aside from Asahel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Joab, coming from the pursuit of Abner, assembled all the men. Nineteen other servants of David were missing, besides Asahel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Joab returned from the pursuit of Abner; and when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing of David’s servants nineteen men besides Asahel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Joab returned from following Abner; and when he had gathered all the people together and they were numbered, there were twelve wounded of David's men, and Ashael was dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yuab returned from after Abnir and assembled all the people, and they were counted, and twelve of the men of David were wounded, and Shayel died<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Joab returned from following Abenner, and he assembled all the people, and there were missing of the people of David, nineteen men, and Asael.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/2-30.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=557" 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">War Between the Houses of David and Saul</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">29</span>And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim. <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3097.htm" title="3097: wə·yō·w·’āḇ (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- The LORD is father, three Isr. From Yhovah and 'ab; Jehovah-fathered; Joab, the name of three Israelites.">When Joab</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: ḇ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: mê·’a·ḥă·rê (Prep-m) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">from pursuing</a> <a href="/hebrew/74.htm" title="74: ’aḇ·nêr (N-proper-ms) -- My father is a lamp, an Isr. name. Or nabiyner; from 'ab and niyr; father of light; Abner, an Israelite.">Abner,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6908.htm" title="6908: way·yiq·bōṣ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To gather, collect. A primitive root; to grasp, i.e. Collect.">he gathered</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/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the troops.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6214.htm" title="6214: wa·‘ă·śāh- (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- God has made, four Isr. From asah and 'el; God has made; Asahel, the name of four Israelites.">In addition to Asahel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6214.htm" title="6214: ’êl (N-ms) -- God has made, four Isr. From asah and 'el; God has made; Asahel, the name of four Israelites."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8672.htm" title="8672: tiš·‘āh- (Number-ms) -- A nine. Or tishtah; perhaps from sha'ah through the idea of a turn to the next or full number ten; nine or Ninth.">nineteen</a> <a href="/hebrew/6240.htm" title="6240: ‘ā·śār (Number-ms) -- Ten. For eser; ten, i.e. -teen; also -teenth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: ḏā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">of David’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: mê·‘aḇ·ḏê (Prep-m:: N-mpc) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/6485.htm" title="6485: way·yip·pā·qə·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To attend to, visit, muster, appoint. A primitive root; to visit; by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.">were missing,</a> </span><span class="reftext">31</span>but they had struck down 360 Benjamites who were with Abner.…<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/30-17.htm">1 Samuel 30:17-19</a></span><br />And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled, riding off on camels. / So David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. / Nothing was missing, young or old, son or daughter, or any of the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David brought everything back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-1.htm">2 Samuel 1:1-2</a></span><br />After the death of Saul, David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. / On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head arrived from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him homage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-5.htm">1 Kings 2:5-6</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. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/12-1.htm">1 Chronicles 12:1-2</a></span><br />Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; / they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin):<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/12-19.htm">1 Chronicles 12:19-22</a></span><br />Some from Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (They did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers consulted and sent David away, saying, “It will cost us our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”) / When David went to Ziklag, these men of Manasseh defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh. / They helped David against the raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor and commanders in the army. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/19-17.htm">1 Chronicles 19:17-19</a></span><br />When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, advanced toward the Arameans, and arrayed for battle against them. When David lined up to engage them in battle, they fought against him. / But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army. / When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Arameans were unwilling to help the Ammonites anymore.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-45.htm">Judges 20:45-47</a></span><br />Then the Benjamites turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and Israel cut down 5,000 men on the roads. And they overtook them at Gidom and struck down 2,000 more. / That day 25,000 Benjamite swordsmen fell, all men of valor. / But 600 men turned and fled into the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, where they stayed four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-20.htm">1 Samuel 14:20-23</a></span><br />Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor. / And the Hebrews who had previously gone up into the surrounding camps to join the Philistines now went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. / When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined the battle in close pursuit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-27.htm">1 Samuel 18:27</a></span><br />David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented them as payment in full to become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to David in marriage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-5.htm">1 Samuel 23:5</a></span><br />Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, and carried off their livestock, striking them with a mighty blow. So David saved the people of Keilah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-28.htm">1 Samuel 25:28</a></span><br />Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-1.htm">1 Samuel 30:1-2</a></span><br />On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-1.htm">2 Samuel 3:1</a></span><br />Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.<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/8-1.htm">2 Samuel 8:1-2</a></span><br />Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/2-29.htm">Abner</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-23.htm">Asahel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-22.htm">As'ahel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-25.htm">Assembled</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-42.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-17.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-17.htm">David's</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-28.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-27.htm">Following</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm">Found</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-25.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-28.htm">Joab</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-28.htm">Jo'ab</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-7.htm">Lacked</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-19.htm">Missing</a> <a href="/joshua/19-38.htm">Nineteen</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-18.htm">Pursuing</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-27.htm">Pursuit</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-17.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-25.htm">Together</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-21.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/2-31.htm">Abner</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-32.htm">Asahel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-32.htm">As'ahel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-1.htm">Assembled</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-22.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-31.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-31.htm">David's</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-20.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-8.htm">Following</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-27.htm">Found</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-1.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-32.htm">Joab</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-32.htm">Jo'ab</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-22.htm">Lacked</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-22.htm">Missing</a> <a href="/genesis/11-25.htm">Nineteen</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-22.htm">Pursuing</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-20.htm">Pursuit</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-31.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-1.htm">Together</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-10.htm">Turned</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>When Joab had turned back</b><br />The name "Joab" is derived from the Hebrew "Yo'av," meaning "Yahweh is father." Joab, a key military leader under King David, is often seen as a complex character, embodying both loyalty and ruthlessness. His decision to turn back from pursuing Abner, Saul's military commander, reflects a strategic choice, possibly to consolidate his forces or avoid unnecessary bloodshed. This moment highlights the tension between personal vendettas and the broader goals of unifying Israel under David's rule.<p><b>from pursuing Abner</b><br />Abner, whose name means "father of light" in Hebrew, was a significant figure in the house of Saul. His role as a military leader and his eventual defection to David's side underscore the shifting allegiances during this turbulent period in Israel's history. The pursuit of Abner by Joab can be seen as a microcosm of the larger conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David, illustrating the complexities of power struggles and the quest for legitimacy.<p><b>he gathered all the troops</b><br />The act of gathering troops signifies a moment of regrouping and assessment. In the ancient Near Eastern context, military strength was crucial for survival and dominance. Joab's ability to gather the troops demonstrates his leadership and the loyalty he commanded among David's forces. This gathering also serves as a prelude to the ongoing conflict and the eventual consolidation of David's kingdom.<p><b>In addition to Asahel</b><br />Asahel, whose name means "God has made," was Joab's brother and known for his swiftness. His death at the hands of Abner earlier in the chapter is a pivotal event, fueling the animosity between Joab and Abner. Asahel's mention here serves as a reminder of the personal losses and vendettas that often accompany political and military conflicts. It also foreshadows the cycle of retribution that will continue to unfold.<p><b>nineteen of David’s servants were missing</b><br />The phrase "David’s servants" refers to the loyal followers and warriors who supported David's claim to the throne. The loss of nineteen men, in addition to Asahel, underscores the cost of the ongoing civil war. Each life lost represents a family affected and a community in mourning. This somber note serves as a reminder of the human toll of leadership struggles and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of a united Israel under David's kingship.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(30) <span class= "bld">Joab returned.</span>--He cannot be supposed to have returned that day farther than to Gibeon, since it was already sunset (<a href="/2_samuel/2-24.htm" title="Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lies before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.">2Samuel 2:24</a>) before the pursuit ended. There, doubtless, he mustered his forces, and counted and buried the slain.<p><span class= "bld">Nineteen men.</span>--It is uncertain whether these numbers include the twelve champion combatants on each side. The great disparity of numbers slain on the two sides is to be accounted for partly by the advantage given by bow and spear, the chief weapons of ancient warfare, to the pursuer over the pursued, and partly by the fact that Joab's men had been long trained under David in hardship and deeds of valour, while Abner's men were the remnants of Saul's defeated army.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 30, 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Nineteen men... three hundred and three score men.</span> Though David's "mighties," as they were called, excelled in the use of arms, yet the disparity of numbers is remarkable; for the Benjamites were also famous warriors. We can only account for it by the superiority of the tactics of Joab, who was a man of consummate military skill, and who knew both how to gain a victory and how to use the advantage which the pursuers have over the pursued to the full. If we sometimes wonder that David endured Joab so long, we ought to remember how much he owed to his nephew's genius, and that Joab was always faithful to himself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/2-30.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">When Joab</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיוֹאָ֗ב</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yō·w·’āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3097.htm">Strong's 3097: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">returned</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֚ב</span> <span class="translit">(ḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from pursuing</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’a·ḥă·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hind or following part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Abner,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְנֵ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·nêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">he gathered</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְבֹּ֖ץ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·bōṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6908.htm">Strong's 6908: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gather, collect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</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">the troops.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">In addition to Asahel,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַעֲשָׂה־</span> <span class="translit">(wa·‘ă·śāh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6214.htm">Strong's 6214: </a> </span><span class="str2">Asahel -- 'God has made', four Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nineteen</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשְׁעָֽה־</span> <span class="translit">(tiš·‘āh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8672.htm">Strong's 8672: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nine, ninth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of David’s</span><br /><span class="heb">דָוִ֛ד</span> <span class="translit">(ḏā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">servants</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעַבְדֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘aḇ·ḏê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were missing,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּפָּ֨קְד֜וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yip·pā·qə·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6485.htm">Strong's 6485: </a> </span><span class="str2">To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/2-30.htm">2 Samuel 2:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/2-30.htm">2 Samuel 2:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/2-30.htm">2 Samuel 2:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/2-30.htm">2 Samuel 2:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/2-30.htm">2 Samuel 2:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/2-30.htm">2 Samuel 2:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/2-30.htm">2 Samuel 2:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/2-30.htm">2 Samuel 2:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/2-30.htm">2 Samuel 2:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/2-30.htm">2 Samuel 2:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/2-30.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 2:30 Joab returned from following Abner: and when (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/2-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 2:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 2:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/2-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 2:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 2:31" /></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>