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.

2 SAMUEL 2:30KJV
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2 Samuel 2:30 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 2:30 mean?

2 Samuel 2:30 describes how Joab, after pursuing Abner, gathered his men and found that nineteen of David’s servants and Asahel were missing. This verse records the aftermath of a battle, showing the losses Joab’s side suffered.

Joab was the commander of David’s forces, and Abner led the opposing side for Saul’s family. After a pursuit, Joab called his men back and took account of those who were missing. The verse highlights the cost of the conflict by naming the number of men lost and specifically mentioning Asahel, Joab’s brother, which sets the stage for the ongoing tensions and personal losses in this period of Israel’s history.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 2:30

  • "Returned" (שָׁב, shav): This word often means to turn back or come again, emphasizing that Joab’s pursuit had ended and he was now regrouping.
  • "Lacked" (פָּקַד, paqad): This word can mean to miss, be lacking, or not be present. Here, it stresses the careful accounting Joab made of his men and the real human losses after the battle.
  • "Servants" (עֶבֶד, eved): In this context, this word refers to David’s loyal soldiers, not household servants, clarifying that these were fighting men under Joab’s command.

Why 2 Samuel 2:30 matters

  • This verse clarifies the immediate human cost of the conflict between David’s and Saul’s supporters, making the story more personal and real.
  • By naming Asahel separately, the verse hints at the personal stakes for Joab and foreshadows further conflict and revenge in the narrative.
  • The careful counting of losses shows the seriousness of the civil strife and the leadership responsibilities Joab carried as David’s commander.

Where else these words appear

“Asahel” Hebrew H6214 · used in 17 verses

  • 2 Samuel 2:18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
  • 2 Samuel 2:23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:16 Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.

“Abner” Hebrew H74 · used in 53 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
  • 2 Samuel 2:23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
  • 2 Samuel 3:22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.

“nineteen” Hebrew H8672 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
  • Numbers 34:13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:
  • 2 Kings 25:8 And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:

“gathered” Hebrew H6908 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
  • Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.