2 Samuel 2:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →David's men under Joab meet Abner's forces at the pool of Gibeon, the two sides sitting opposite each other across the water.
What Does 2 Samuel 2:13 Mean?
David's forces, led by Joab son of Zeruiah, David's nephew and commander, march out and meet Abner's men at the pool of Gibeon. The two armies take up positions on opposite sides of the water and sit down, a tense and watchful standoff with the pool between them.
The image is heavy with foreboding, two companies of brothers facing each other across still water, each waiting for the other. There is a moment here when restraint might still have held. Civil strife is a tragedy in which the line between friend and foe runs through one's own people. The pause before violence is a mercy too often squandered.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 2:13
What does 2 Samuel 2:13 mean?
David's men under Joab meet Abner's forces at the pool of Gibeon, the two sides sitting opposite each other across the water.