Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

2 SAMUEL 2:15KJV
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2 Samuel 2:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 2:15 mean?

2 Samuel 2:15 describes how twelve men from the tribe of Benjamin, loyal to Ishbosheth (Saul’s son), and twelve of David’s servants, were chosen to face each other in a contest. This was part of a larger conflict between the supporters of Saul’s family and those loyal to David after Saul’s death.

This verse is set during a tense standoff at the pool of Gibeon, where Abner (commander for Ishbosheth) and Joab (commander for David) agreed to let selected men fight as representatives. The verse lists the two groups: twelve from Benjamin for Ishbosheth, and twelve from David’s followers, setting the stage for the violent clash that follows.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 2:15

  • "arose" (קוּם, qum): This word means to stand up or rise, highlighting the formal and deliberate action as the chosen men step forward for the contest.
  • "number" (מִסְפָּר, mispar): This word points to the careful counting or selection of the men, emphasizing that this was a measured, organized event, not a chaotic brawl.
  • "twelve" (שְׁנֵים, shenayim; עָשָׂר, asar): The Hebrew for "twelve" is a combination of the words for "two" and "ten," showing the specific and symbolic number chosen for each side, possibly reflecting completeness or representation.

Why 2 Samuel 2:15 matters

  • This verse clears up that the fight was not a random battle but a chosen contest between equal numbers, meant to represent the larger groups behind each leader.
  • The verse emphasizes the ongoing division in Israel after Saul’s death, with loyalties split between Saul’s house (through Ishbosheth) and David.
  • Understanding this setup helps make sense of the violence and rivalry that follows in the chapter, showing how deep and formalized the conflict had become.

Where else these words appear

“Ishbosheth” Hebrew H378 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Samuel 2:8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
  • 2 Samuel 3:8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
  • 2 Samuel 4:5 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.

“number” Hebrew H4557 · used in 129 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 32:8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
  • Ezra 3:4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;