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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 18:7 There the people of Israel were defeated by David's servants, and the slaughter was great that day--twenty thousand men.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/18-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/10_2Sa_18_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 18:7 - Absalom Killed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="There the people of Israel were defeated by David's servants, and the slaughter was great that day--twenty thousand men." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</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/18-7.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/18-7.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/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 7</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="/ad7.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/18-6.htm" title="2 Samuel 18:6">◄</a> 2 Samuel 18:7 <a href="/2_samuel/18-8.htm" title="2 Samuel 18:8">►</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="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div 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 />There Israel&#8217s troops were routed by David&#8217s men, and the casualties that day were great—twenty thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />and the Israelite troops were beaten back by David’s men. There was a great slaughter that day, and 20,000 men laid down their lives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_samuel/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the loss there was great on that day, twenty thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand <i>men</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The people of Israel were overthrown there before the servants of David, and a great slaughter of twenty thousand took place there that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The people of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, twenty thousand <i>men.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, 20,000 men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, 20,000 men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, 20,000 men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_samuel/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The men of Israel [who supported Absalom] were defeated there by the men of David, and a great slaughter took place there that day, 20,000 men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_samuel/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Israel’s army was defeated by David’s soldiers, and the slaughter there was vast that day—twenty thousand dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The people of Israel were defeated by David&#8217s soldiers, and the slaughter there was vast that day—20,000 casualties.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_samuel/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the people of Israel were smitten there before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_samuel/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the people of Israel were smitten there before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_samuel/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />There David's men defeated Israel's army, and the massacre was sizable that day-20,000 men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_samuel/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Israelites were defeated by David's men; it was a terrible defeat, with twenty thousand men killed that day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_samuel/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />where David's army of servants defeated the Israelis. Many died that day—20,000 men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_samuel/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />There the people of Israel were defeated by David?s servants, and the slaughter was great that day?twenty thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_samuel/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The army of Israel was defeated there by David's men. The slaughter there was great that day--20,000 soldiers were killed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_samuel/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And the people of Israel were struck there before the servants of David, and a great slaughter took place that day of twenty thousand men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_samuel/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_samuel/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The people of Israel were struck there before David’s servants, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men. <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 people of Israel are struck there before the servants of David, and the striking there is great on that day—twenty thousand;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_samuel/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and smitten there are the people of Israel before the servants of David, and the smiting there is great on that day -- twenty thousand;<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 people of Israel will be struck before David's servants, and a great slaughter will be in that day of twenty thousand.<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 people of Israel were defeated there by David's army, and a great slaughter was made that day of twenty thousand men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the people of Israel were cut down in that place by the army of David. And a great slaughter occurred on that day: twenty thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_samuel/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The forces of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the casualties there that day were heavy—twenty thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the slaughter there was great on that day, twenty thousand men.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And there was a battle, and the people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter on that day of twenty thousand men.<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 people of Israel was battling before the Servants of David, and there was a great slaughter of twenty thousand<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_samuel/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the people of Israel were smitten there before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_samuel/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the people of Israel fell down there before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter in that day, <i>even</i> twenty thousand men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_samuel/18-7.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=5163" 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">6</span>So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel in the battle, which took place in the forest of Ephraim. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">There</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am (N-msc) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5062.htm" title="5062: way·yin·nā·ḡə·p̄ū (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To strike, smite. A primitive root; to push, gore, defeat, stub, inflict.">were defeated</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">by</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.">David’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·ḏê (N-mpc) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">servants,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4046.htm" title="4046: ham·mag·gê·p̄āh (Art:: N-fs) -- A blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence. From nagaph; a pestilence; by analogy, defeat.">and the slaughter</a> <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.">was</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/1419.htm" title="1419: ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh (Adj-fs) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">great</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">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/6242.htm" title="6242: ‘eś·rîm (Number-cp) -- Twenty. From eser; twenty; also twentieth.">twenty</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’ā·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand.">thousand men.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword.…<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/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="/2_samuel/1-4.htm">2 Samuel 1:4</a></span><br />“What was the outcome?” David asked. “Please tell me.” “The troops fled from the battle,” he replied. “Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/17-14.htm">2 Samuel 17:14</a></span><br />Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/19-2.htm">2 Samuel 19:2</a></span><br />And that day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people, because on that day they were told, “The king is grieving over his son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-35.htm">Judges 20:35</a></span><br />The LORD defeated Benjamin in the presence of Israel, and on that day the Israelites slaughtered 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-29.htm">1 Kings 22:29-36</a></span><br />So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. / And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. / Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/13-17.htm">2 Chronicles 13:17</a></span><br />Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-4.htm">Isaiah 10:4</a></span><br />Nothing will remain but to crouch among the captives or fall among the slain. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/46-10.htm">Jeremiah 46:10</a></span><br />For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance against His foes. The sword will devour until it is satisfied, until it is quenched with their blood. For the Lord GOD of Hosts will hold a sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/30-4.htm">Ezekiel 30:4</a></span><br />A sword will come against Egypt, and there will be anguish in Cush when the slain fall in Egypt, its wealth is taken away, and its foundations are torn down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-21.htm">Matthew 24:21</a></span><br />For at that time there will be great tribulation, unseen from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-22.htm">Luke 21:22-24</a></span><br />For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. / How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people. / They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-50.htm">John 11:50</a></span><br />You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36-37</a></span><br />Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. / After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-22.htm">Romans 11:22</a></span><br />Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.</p><p class="hdg">the people</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/2-17.htm">2 Samuel 2:17</a></b></br> And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/15-6.htm">2 Samuel 15:6</a></b></br> And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/19-41.htm">2 Samuel 19:41-43</a></b></br> And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan? … </p><p class="hdg">a great</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-21.htm">Proverbs 11:21</a></b></br> <i>Though</i> hand <i>join</i> in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/24-21.htm">Proverbs 24:21</a></b></br> My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: <i>and</i> meddle not with them that are given to change:</p><p class="hdg">twenty thousand</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/2-26.htm">2 Samuel 2:26,31</a></b></br> Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/13-16.htm">2 Chronicles 13:16,17</a></b></br> And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/28-6.htm">2 Chronicles 28:6</a></b></br> For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, <i>which were</i> all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/18-6.htm">Army</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Casualties</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-2.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-16.htm">David's</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-19.htm">Defeated</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-16.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-11.htm">Great</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-6.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-15.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-20.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-32.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-9.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/2_samuel/8-13.htm">Smiting</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-2.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-7.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-14.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-3.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-6.htm">Twenty</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/19-2.htm">Army</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-17.htm">Casualties</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-9.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-41.htm">David's</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">Defeated</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-15.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-9.htm">Great</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-16.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-38.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-9.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-12.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-24.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-21.htm">Smiting</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-39.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-15.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-8.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-12.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-17.htm">Twenty</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>There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants</b><br>This phrase refers to the battle in the forest of Ephraim, where the forces loyal to Absalom, David's son, were defeated by David's army. The "people of Israel" here indicates the factions that supported Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. This internal conflict highlights the division within the nation of Israel during this period. David's "servants" refers to his loyal military forces, led by commanders such as Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. This victory underscores God's continued favor upon David, despite his personal failings, and fulfills the prophecy of Nathan that the sword would not depart from David's house (<a href="/2_samuel/12-10.htm">2 Samuel 12:10</a>). The defeat of Absalom's forces can be seen as a divine intervention to restore the rightful king, David, to his throne.<p><b>and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men</b><br>The phrase "the slaughter was great" emphasizes the severity and scale of the battle. The loss of twenty thousand men indicates a significant and devastating defeat for Absalom's forces. This large number reflects the intense and brutal nature of ancient warfare, where battles often resulted in high casualties. The forest of Ephraim, where the battle took place, may have contributed to the high number of casualties, as the terrain would have been difficult to navigate and could have led to additional deaths beyond the combat itself. This event serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of rebellion and civil war, and it highlights the cost of Absalom's ambition and the resulting strife within the nation. Theologically, it underscores the theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of God's purposes through the restoration of David's rule.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The King of Israel, anointed by God, who is leading his forces against the rebellion led by his son Absalom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/absalom.htm">Absalom</a></b><br>David's son, who has declared himself king and is leading a rebellion against his father.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/david's_servants.htm">David’s Servants</a></b><br>The loyal soldiers and commanders who remain faithful to David and fight on his behalf.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_israel.htm">The People of Israel</a></b><br>Refers to the forces aligned with Absalom in the civil conflict against David.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_battle.htm">The Battle</a></b><br>A significant conflict in the forest of Ephraim where David's forces achieve a decisive victory over Absalom's army.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_conflict.htm">God's Sovereignty in Conflict</a></b><br>Despite the chaos of civil war, God’s sovereign plan prevails. Believers can trust that God is in control, even in the midst of personal or communal conflict.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_rebellion.htm">The Consequences of Rebellion</a></b><br>Absalom’s rebellion against God’s anointed king leads to great loss. This serves as a warning against rebelling against God’s established order and authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/loyalty_and_faithfulness.htm">Loyalty and Faithfulness</a></b><br>David’s servants exemplify loyalty and faithfulness. Christians are called to remain faithful to God and His appointed leaders, even when it is challenging.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_sin.htm">The Cost of Sin</a></b><br>The great slaughter of twenty thousand men highlights the devastating cost of sin and rebellion. It serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and seeking God’s forgiveness.<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/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/david's_absence__align_or_contradict.htm">1 Chronicles 20:1: How does David's apparent absence during the battle align with or contradict other accounts of his military leadership?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_2_sam_10_18_and_1_chr_19_18.htm">How do we reconcile the discrepant figures between 2 Samuel 10:18 and 1 Chronicles 19:18 regarding the number of charioteers and horsemen defeated by David?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_child's_death_with_god's_love.htm">In 2 Samuel 12:15-23, how can the moral or spiritual purpose of the child's death be reconciled with the idea of a loving and merciful God?</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>(7) <span class= "bld">Twenty Thousand.</span>--This number seems large, but we really know nothing of the size of the forces engaged on either side; and if the phrase "that day" be taken, as often, with sufficient latitude to include the whole campaign of which this battle was the culmination, there is nothing surprising in the destruction of 20,000 men. Of the human causes of the victory nothing is told. We may assume that the advantage of thorough military organisation and generalship was on David's side; but, in addition to this, was the vast power of the <span class= "ital">right, </span>the prestige of law and authority.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/18-7.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">There</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁם֙</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘am)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<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">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were defeated</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּנָּ֤גְפוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yin·nā·ḡə·p̄ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5062.htm">Strong's 5062: </a> </span><span class="str2">To push, gore, defeat, stub, inflict</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">David’s</span><br /><span class="heb">דָוִ֑ד</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">עַבְדֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḇ·ḏê)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">and the slaughter</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמַּגֵּפָ֧ה</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mag·gê·p̄āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4046.htm">Strong's 4046: </a> </span><span class="str2">A blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּהִי־</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·hî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">great</span><br /><span class="heb">גְדוֹלָ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, older, insolent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">הַה֖וּא</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">twenty</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶשְׂרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘eś·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6242.htm">Strong's 6242: </a> </span><span class="str2">Twenty, twentieth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">thousand [men].</span><br /><span class="heb">אָֽלֶף׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·lep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thousand</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/18-7.htm">2 Samuel 18:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_samuel/18-7.htm">2 Samuel 18:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_samuel/18-7.htm">2 Samuel 18:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_samuel/18-7.htm">2 Samuel 18:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_samuel/18-7.htm">2 Samuel 18:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/18-7.htm">2 Samuel 18:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/18-7.htm">2 Samuel 18:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/18-7.htm">2 Samuel 18:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/18-7.htm">2 Samuel 18:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_samuel/18-7.htm">2 Samuel 18:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_samuel/18-7.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 18:7 The people of Israel were struck there (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/18-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 18:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 18:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/18-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 18:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 18:8" /></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>