📖WEB · 2 Samuel 2:17
What does 2 Samuel 2:17 mean?
"The battle was very severe that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before David’s servants."
— 2 Samuel 2:17 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Abner said to Joab, “Please let the young men arise and play before us!” Joab said, “Let them arise!”
Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of David’s servants.
They each caught his opponent by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: therefore that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.
The battle was very severe that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before David’s servants.
The three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle.
Asahel pursued Abner; and in going he didn’t turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner.
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He answered, “It is.”
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