Two Kingdoms Divided

2 Samuel 2

David inquires of the Lord and goes up to Hebron, where the men of Judah anoint him king, while Abner makes Saul's son Ish-bosheth king over the rest of Israel. A contest between young men at Gibeon leads to a fierce battle in which Abner kills Asael, Joab's brother, while fleeing him.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW after these things David inquired of the Lord saying, May I go up to one of the cities of Juda? And the Lord said to him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go? And He said, To Chebron.

BrentonAnd it came to pass after this that David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into one of the cities of Juda? and the Lord said to him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? and he said, To Chebron.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ ταῦτα καὶ ἐπηρώτησε Δαυὶδ ἐν Κυρίῳ, λέγων, εἰ ἀναβῶ εἰς μίαν τῶν πόλεων Ἰούδα; καὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἀνάβηθι· καὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ, ποῦ ἀναβῶ; καὶ εἶπεν, εἰς Χεβρών.

KJVAnd it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.

JPSAnd it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying: ‘Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?’ And the LORD said unto him: ‘Go up.’ And David said: ‘Whither shall I go up?’ And He said: ‘Unto Hebron.’

ThomsonSo David went up to Chebron, with his two wives, Achinaam the Jezraelitess, and Abigaia, late the wife of Nabal, the Carmelite,

BrentonAnd David went up thither to Chebron, he and both his wives, Achinaam the Jezraelitess, and Abigaia the wife of Nabal the Carmelite,

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέβη ἐκεῖ Δαυὶδ εἰς Χεβρὼν, καὶ ἀμφότεραι αἱ γυναῖκες αὐτοῦ, Ἀχινάαμ ἡ Ἰεζραηλίτις, καὶ Ἀβιγαία ἡ γυνὴ Νάβαλ τοῦ Καρμηλίου,

KJVSo David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite.

JPSSo David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

Thomsonand the men who were with him, every one with his household, and they dwelt in the cities of Chebron.

Brentonand the men that were with him, every one and his family; and they dwelt in the cities of Chebron.

Greekκαὶ οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἕκαστος, καὶ ὁ οἶκος αὐτοῦ, καὶ κατῴκουν ἐν ταῖς πόλεσι Χεβρών.

KJVAnd his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

JPSAnd his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household; and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

ThomsonAnd the men of Judea came, and anointed David there, to be king over the house of Juda. And when they told David, saying, The men of Jabis Galaad have buried Saul,

BrentonAnd the men of Judea come, and anoint David there to reign over the house of Juda; and they reported to David, saying, The men of Jabis of the country of Galaad have buried Saul.

GreekΚαὶ ἔρχονται ἄνδρες τῆς Ἰουδαίας, καὶ χρίουσι τὸν Δαυὶδ ἐκεῖ τοῦ βασιλεύειν ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον Ἰούδα· Καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν τῷ Δαυὶδ, λέγοντες, ὅτι οἱ ἄνδρες Ἰαβὶς τῆς Γαλααδίτιδος ἔθαψαν τὸν Σαούλ.

KJVAnd the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.

JPSAnd the men of Judah came, and they there anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying: ‘The men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul.’

ThomsonDavid sent messengers to the leaders of Jabis Galaad, and said unto them, Blessed are ye of the Lord, because you have shewn this kindness for your lord; for Saul, the anointed of the Lord; and have buried him and his son Jonathan.

BrentonAnd David sent messengers to the rulers of Jabis of the country of Galaad, and David said to them, Blessed be ye of the Lord, because ye have wrought this mercy toward your lord, even toward Saul the anointed of the Lord, and ye have buried him and Jonathan his son.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλε Δαυὶδ ἀγγέλους πρὸς τοὺς ἡγουμένους Ἰαβὶς τῆς Γαλααδίτιδος, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτοὺς Δαυὶδ, εὐλογημένοι ὑμεῖς τῷ Κυρίῳ, ὅτι ἐποιήσατε τὸ ἔλεος τοῦτο ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον ὑμῶν, ἐπὶ Σαοὺλ τὸν χριστὸν Κυρίου, καὶ ἐθάψατε αὐτὸν καὶ Ἰωνάθαν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.

JPSAnd David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them: ‘Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shown this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.

ThomsonNow therefore may the Lord deal mercifully and truly with you! As for me I will recompense you for this kindness, because you have done this thing.

BrentonAnd now may the Lord deal in mercy and truth towards you: and I also will requite towards you this good deed, because ye have done this.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν ποιῆσαι Κύριος μεθʼ ὑμῶν ἔλεος καὶ ἀλήθειαν· καί γε ἐγὼ ποιήσω μεθʼ ὑμῶν τὸ ἀγαθὸν τοῦτο, ὅτι ἐποιήσατε τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο.

KJVAnd now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.

JPSAnd now the LORD show kindness and truth unto you; and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.

ThomsonNow therefore let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Juda have anointed me to be king over them.

BrentonAnd now let your hands be made strong, and be valiant; for your master Saul is dead, and moreover the house of Juda have anointed me to be king over them.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν κραταιούσθωσαν αἱ χεῖρες ὑμῶν, καὶ γίνεσθε εἰς υἱοὺς δυνατοὺς, ὅτι τέθνηκεν ὁ κύριος ὑμῶν Σαοὺλ, καί γε ἐμὲ κέχρικεν ὁ οἶκος Ἰούδα ἐφʼ ἑαυτὸν εἰς βασιλέα.

KJVTherefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.

JPSNow therefore let your hands be strong, and be ye valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.’

ThomsonBut Abenner, son of Ner, Saul’s captain general, took Jebosthe, the son of Saul, and brought him from the camp to Manaem,

BrentonBut Abenner, the son of Ner, the commander-in-chief of Saul's army, took Jebosthe son of Saul, and brought him up from the camp to Manaem

GreekΚαὶ Ἀβεννὴρ υἱὸς Νὴρ ἀρχιστράτηγος τοῦ Σαοὺλ ἔλαβε τὸν Ἰεβοσθὲ υἱὸν Σαοὺλ, καὶ ἀνεβίβασεν αὐτὸν ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς εἰς Μαναὲμ,

KJVBut Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

JPSNow Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

Thomsonand made him king over Galaaditis, and over Thasiri, and over Jezrael, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

Brentonand made him king over the land of Galaad, and over Thasiri, and over Jezrael, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

Greekκαὶ ἐβασίλευσεν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὴν Γαλααδίτιν, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Θασιρὶ, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰεζραὴλ, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἐφραὶμ, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Βενιαμὶν, καὶ ἐπὶ πάντα Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

JPSand he made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

ThomsonJebosthe the son of Saul, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and when he had reigned two years, (except over the house of Juda who followed David;

BrentonJebosthe, Saul's son was forty years old, when he reigned over Israel; and he reigned two years, but not over the house of Juda, who followed David.

GreekΤεσσαράκοντα ἐτῶν Ἰεβοσθὲ υἱὸς Σαοὺλ, ὅτε ἐβασίλευσεν ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ· καὶ δύο ἔτη ἐβασίλευσε, πλὴν τοῦ οἴκου Ἰούδα, οἳ ἦσαν ὀπίσω Δαυίδ.

KJVIshbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

JPSIsh-bosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

Thomsonnow the time which David reigned at Chebron over the house of Juda was seven years and six months).

BrentonAnd the days which David reigned in Chebron over the house of Juda were seven years and six months.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένοντο αἱ ἡμέραι ἃς Δαυὶδ ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν Χεβρὼν ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον Ἰούδα, ἑπτὰ ἔτη καὶ μῆνας ἕξ.

KJVAnd the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

JPSAnd the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

ThomsonAbenner, son of Ner, and the servants of Jebosthe, son of Saul, came out from Manaem to Gabaon;

BrentonAnd Abenner the son of Ner went forth, and the servants of Jebosthe the son of Saul, from Manaem to Gabaon.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθεν Ἀβεννὴρ υἱὸς Νὴρ, καὶ οἱ παῖδες Ἰεβοσθὲ υἱοῦ Σαοὺλ ἐκ Μαναὲμ εἰς Γαβαών·

KJVAnd Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

JPSAnd Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

Thomsonand Joab, son of Saruia, and the servants of David went out from Chebron, and they met each other at the pool of Gabaon, and sat down one on one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.

BrentonAnd Joab the son of Saruia, and the servants of David, went forth from Chebron, and met them at the fountain of Gabaon, at the same place: and these sat down by the fountain on this side, and those by the fountain on that side.

GreekΚαὶ Ἰωὰβ υἱὸς Σαρουία, καὶ οἱ παῖδες Δαυὶδ ἐξῆλθον ἐκ Χεβρὼν, καὶ συναντῶσιν αὐτοῖς ἐπὶ τὴν κρήνην τὴν Γαβαὼν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ, καὶ ἐκάθισαν οὗτοι ἐπὶ τὴν κρήνην ἐντεῦθεν, καὶ οὗτοι ἐπὶ τὴν κρήνην ἐντεῦθεν.

KJVAnd Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.

JPSAnd Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out; and they met together by the pool of Gibeon, and sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.

ThomsonAnd Abenner said to Joab, let the young men, I pray thee, arise and shew feats before us. And Joab said, let them arise.

BrentonAnd Abenner said to Joab, Let now the young men arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἀβεννὴρ πρὸς Ἰωὰβ, ἀναστήτωσαν δὴ τὰ παιδάρια, καὶ παιξάτωσαν ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν· καὶ εἶπεν Ἰωὰβ, ἀναστήτωσαν.

KJVAnd Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.

JPSAnd Abner said to Joab: ‘Let the young men, I pray thee, arise and play before us.’ And Joab said: ‘Let them arise.’

ThomsonThen there arose, and went over by number, twelve Benjaminites who were for Jebosthe, son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David;

BrentonAnd there arose and passed over by number twelve of the children of Benjamin, belonging to Jebosthe the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστησαν καὶ παρῆλθον ἐν ἀριθμῷ τῶν παίδων Βενιαμὶν δώδεκα τῶν Ἰεβοσθὲ υἱοῦ Σαοὺλ, καὶ δώδεκα ἐκ τῶν παίδων Δαυίδ

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen they arose and passed over by number: twelve for Benjamin, and for Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

Thomsonand they seized, everyone with his hand, the head of his fellow, and plunged each his sword into his adversary’s side, and fell together. So the name of that place was called, Portion of ill designs. It is near Gabaon.

BrentonAnd they seized every one the head of his neighbour with his hand, and his sword was thrust into the side of his neighbour, and they fall down together: and the name of that place was called The portion of the treacherous ones, which is in Gabaon.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκράτησαν ἕκαστος τῇ χειρὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν τοῦ πλησίον αὐτοῦ, καὶ μάχαιρα αὐτοῦ εἰς πλευρὰν τοῦ πλησίον αὐτοῦ, καὶ πίπτουσι κατὰ τὸ αὐτό· καὶ ἐκλήθη τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου ἐκείνου, μερὶς τῶν ἐπιβούλων, ἥ ἐστιν ἐν Γαβαών.

KJVAnd they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.

JPSAnd they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together; wherefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.

ThomsonAnd the battle became very furious that day. And Abenner with the men of Israel, retreated before the servants of David.

BrentonAnd the battle was very severe on that day; and Abenner and the men of Israel were worsted before the servants of David.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὁ πόλεμος σκληρὸς ὥστε λίαν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ· καὶ ἔπταισεν Ἀβεννὴρ καὶ ἄνδρες Ἰσραὴλ ἐνώπιον παίδων Δαυίδ.

KJVAnd there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

JPSAnd the battle was very sore that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

ThomsonNow there were there three sons of Saruia, Joab, and Abessa and Asael. And Asael was swift of foot as a wild roe.

BrentonAnd there were there the three sons of Saruia, Joab, and Abessa, and Asael: and Asael was swift in his feet as a roe in the field.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένοντο ἐκεῖ τρεῖς υἱοὶ Σαρουία, Ἰωὰβ, καὶ Ἀβεσσὰ, καὶ Ἀσαήλ· καὶ Ἀσαὴλ κοῦφος τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτοῦ· ὡσεὶ μία δορκὰς ἐν ἀγρῷ.

KJVAnd there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.

JPSAnd the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel; and Asahel was as light of foot as one of the roes that are in the field.

ThomsonAnd Asael pursued Abenner, and turned not aside to the right, nor to the left from following him.

BrentonAnd Asael followed after Abenner, and turned not to go to the right hand or to the left from following Abenner.

GreekΚαὶ κατεδίωξεν Ἀσαὴλ ὀπίσω Ἀβεννὴρ, καὶ οὐκ ἐξέκλινε τοῦ πορεύεσθαι εἰς δεξιὰ οὐδὲ εἰς ἀριστερὰ κατόπισθεν Ἀβεννήρ.

KJVAnd Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.

JPSAnd Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.

ThomsonAnd Abenner looked back and said, Art thou Asael? And he said, I am.

BrentonAnd Abenner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asael himself? and he said, I am.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέβλεψεν Ἀβεννὴρ εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν, εἰ σὺ εἶ αὐτὸς Ἀσαήλ; καὶ εἶπεν, ἐγώ εἰμι.

KJVThen Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.

JPSThen Abner looked behind him, and said: ‘Is it thou, Asahel?’ And he answered: ‘It is I.’

ThomsonThen Abenner said to him, Turn thee to the right, or to the left, and lay hold on one of the young men, and take his armour. But Asael would not turn aside from following him.

BrentonAnd Abenner said to him, Turn thou to the right hand or to the left, and lay hold for thyself on one of the young men, and take to thyself his armour: but Asael would not turn back from following him.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ἀβεννὴρ, ἔκκλινον σὺ εἰς τὰ δεξιὰ ἢ εἰς τὰ ἀριστερὰ, καὶ κατάσχε σεαυτῷ ἓν τῶν παιδαρίων, καὶ λάβε σεαυτῷ τὴν πανοπλίαν αὐτοῦ· καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν Ἀσαὴλ ἐκκλῖναι ἐκ τῶν ὄπισθεν αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.

JPSAnd Abner said to him: ‘Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour.’ But Asahel would not turn aside from following him.

ThomsonAnd Abenner again said to Asael, Desist from following me, that I may not smite thee to the ground. For how then could I hold up my face to Joab?

BrentonAnd Abenner said yet again to Asael, Stand aloof from me, lest I smite thee to the ground? and how should I lift up my face to Joab?

GreekΚαὶ προσέθετο ἔτι Ἀβεννὴρ λέγων τῷ Ἀσαὴλ, ἀπόστηθι ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, ἵνα μὴ πατάξω σε εἰς τὴν γῆν· καὶ πῶς ἀρῶ τὸ πρόσωπόν μου πρὸς Ἰωάβ;

KJVAnd Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?

JPSAnd Abner said again to Asahel: ‘Turn thee aside from following me; wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?’

ThomsonAnd what do these things tend to? Return to thy brother Joab. But he would not desist. So Abenner smote him with a back stroke of his spear, into the loin, and the spear passed quite through him, and he fell there and died under him. And everyone who came to the place where Asael fell and died, stood still.

BrentonAnd what does this mean? return to Joab thy brother. But he would not stand aloof; and Abenner smites him with the hinder end of the spear on the loins, and the spear went out behind him, and he falls there and dies on the spot: and it came to pass that every one that came to the place where Asael fell and died, stood still.

GreekΚαὶ ποῦ ἐστι ταῦτα; ἐπίστρεφε πρὸς Ἰωὰβ τὸν ἀδελφόν σου. Καὶ οὐκ ἐβούλετο τοῦ ἀποστῆναι· καὶ τύπτει αὐτὸν Ἀβεννὴρ ἐν τῷ ὀπίσω τοῦ δόρατος ἐπὶ τὴν ψόαν, καὶ διεξῆλθε τὸ δόρυ ἐκ τῶν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ, καὶ πίπτει ἐκεῖ καὶ ἀποθνήσκει ὑποκάτω αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐγένετο πᾶς ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἕως τοῦ τόπου οὗ ἔπεσεν ἐκεῖ Ἀσαὴλ καὶ ἀπέθανε, καὶ ὑφίστατο.

KJVHowbeit 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.

JPSHowbeit he refused to turn aside; wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him in the groin, 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. .

ThomsonBut Joab and Abessa continued the pursuit after Abenner, and as the sun was setting they had got as far as the hill Amman, which is in front of Gai, on the way to the wilderness of Gabaon.

BrentonAnd Joab and Abessa pursued after Abenner, and the sun went down: and they went as far as the hill of Amman, which is in the front of Gai, by the desert way of Gabaon.

GreekΚαὶ κατεδίωξεν Ἰωὰβ καὶ Ἀβεσσὰ ὀπίσω Ἀβεννὴρ, καὶ ὁ ἥλιος ἔδυνε· καὶ αὐτοὶ εἰσῆλθον ἕως τοῦ βουνοῦ Ἀμμὰν, ὅ ἐστιν ἐπὶ προσώπου Γαῒ, ὁδὸν ἔρημον Γαβαών.

KJVJoab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

JPSBut Joab and Abishai pursued after Abner; and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

ThomsonAnd the Benjaminites who followed Abenner crowded together, and having formed themselves into one body, they stood on the summit of a hill.

BrentonAnd the children of Benjamin who followed Abenner gather themselves together, and they formed themselves into one body, and stood on the top of a hill.

GreekΚαὶ συναθροίζονται οἱ υἱοὶ Βενιαμὶν οἱ ὀπίσω Ἀβεννὴρ, καὶ ἐγενήθησαν εἰς συνάντησιν μίαν, καὶ ἔστησαν ἐπὶ κεφαλὴν βουνοῦ ἑνός.

KJVAnd the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.

JPSAnd the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one band, and stood on the top of a hill.

ThomsonThen Abenner called to Joab, and said, Must the sword devour to a complete victory? Knowest thou not that in the last extremity it will be very bitter? How long shall it be ere thou command the people to return from pursuing our brethren?

BrentonAnd Abenner called Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour perpetually? knowest thou not that it will be bitter at last? How long then wilt thou refuse to tell the people to turn from following our brethren?

GreekΚαὶ ἐκάλεσεν Ἀβεννὴρ Ἰωὰβ, καὶ εἶπε, μὴ εἰς νῖκος καταφάγεται ἡ ῥομφαία; ἢ οὐκ οἴδας ὅτι πικρὰ ἔσται εἰς τὰ ἔσχατα; καὶ ἕως πότε οὐ μὴ εἴπῃς τῷ λαῷ ἀποστρέφειν ἀπὸ ὄπισθε τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν;

KJVThen 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?

JPSThen Abner called to Joab, and said: ‘Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?’

ThomsonWhereupon Joab said, As the Lord liveth, but for thy speech the people might, from the morning, have gone up every one from the pursuit of his brother.

BrentonAnd Joab said, As the Lord lives, if thou hadst not spoken, even from the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἰωὰβ, ζῇ Κύριος, ὅτι εἰ μὴ ἐλάλησας, διότι τότε ἐκ πρωϊόθεν ἀνέβη ἂν ὁ λαὸς ἕκαστος κατόπισθε τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.

JPSAnd Joab said: ‘As God liveth, if thou hadst not spoken, surely then only after the morning the people had gone away, every one from following his brother.’

ThomsonThen Joab sounded a trumpet and the people halted, and did not pursue Israel, nor continue the battle longer.

BrentonAnd Joab sounded the trumpet, and all the people departed, and did not pursue after Israel, and did not fight any longer.

GreekΚαὶ ἐσάλπισεν Ἰωὰβ τῇ σάλπιγγι, καὶ ἀπέστησαν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, καὶ οὐ κατεδίωξαν ὀπίσω τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ οὐ προσέθεντο ἔτι τοῦ πολεμεῖν.

KJVSo Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.

JPSSo Joab blew the horn, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.

ThomsonAnd Abenner and his men bent their course homeward that whole night, and having crossed the Jordan and passed over the adjoining plain, they came to the camp.

BrentonAnd Abenner and his men departed at evening, and went all that night, and crossed over Jordan, and went along the whole adjacent country, and they come to the camp.

GreekΚαὶ Ἀβεννὴρ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἀπῆλθον εἰς δυσμὰς ὅλην τὴν νύκτα ἐκείνην, καὶ διέβαινον τὸν Ἰορδάνην, καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ὅλην τὴν παρατείνουσαν, καὶ ἔρχονται εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν.

KJVAnd Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.

JPSAnd Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.

ThomsonAnd when Joab returned from pursuing Abenner, and had assembled all the people, there were missing of David’s servants nineteen men, including Asael.

BrentonAnd Joab returned from following Abenner, and he assembled all the people, and there were missing of the people of David, nineteen men, and Asael.

GreekΚαὶ Ἰωὰβ ἀνέστρεψεν ὄπισθεν ἀπὸ τοῦ Ἀβεννὴρ, καὶ συνήθροισε πάντα τὸν λαὸν, καὶ ἐπεσκέπησαν τῶν παίδων Δαυὶδ ἐννεακαίδεκα ἄνδρες,

KJVAnd Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel.

JPSAnd Joab returned from following Abner; and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel.

ThomsonBut the servants of David had smitten of the children of Benjamin, even to Abenner’s men, three hundred and sixty.

BrentonAnd the servants of David smote of the children of Benjamin, of the men of Abenner, three hundred and sixty men belonging to him.

Greekκαὶ Ἀσαήλ. Καὶ οἱ παῖδες Δαυὶδ ἐπάταξαν τῶν υἱῶν Βενιαμὶν τῶν ἀνδρῶν Ἀβεννὴρ τριακοσίους ἑξήκοντα ἄνδρας παρʼ αὐτοῦ.

KJVBut the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.

JPSBut the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, even of Abner’s men—three hundred and threescore men died.

ThomsonThen they took up Asael, and buried him in his father’s tomb at Bethlehem. And Joab and the men who were with him, marched all night, and arrived at Chebron by break of day.

BrentonAnd they take up Asael, and bury him in the tomb of his father in Bethleem. And Joab and the men with him went all the night, and the morning rose upon them in Chebron.

GreekΚαὶ αἴρουσι τὸν Ἀσαὴλ, καὶ θάπτουσιν αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ τάφῳ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ ἐν Βηθλεέμ· καὶ ἐπορεύθη Ἰωὰβ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ μετʼ αὐτοῦ ὅλην τὴν νύκτα, καὶ διέφαυσεν αὐτοῖς ἐν Χεβρών.

KJVAnd they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.

JPSAnd they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Beth-lehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and the day broke upon them at Hebron.