2 Samuel 2:15 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Twelve men from Benjamin for Ishbosheth and twelve of David's servants come forward to fight.
What Does 2 Samuel 2:15 Mean?
The contest is set. Twelve men of Benjamin, fighting for Ishbosheth, step out and cross over, matched by twelve of David's servants. The equal numbers make it a formal trial by combat, twelve against twelve, with the watching armies as witnesses to whatever the clash will decide.
The careful counting underscores how deliberate this is; no accident, but a chosen confrontation between kinsmen. Israel against Israel, brother facing brother by agreement. The very structure of the scene exposes the wrongness of the division that has set them against each other. What should have been one people under God's chosen king is here arrayed in tragic symmetry, twelve and twelve, against itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 2:15
What does 2 Samuel 2:15 mean?
Twelve men from Benjamin for Ishbosheth and twelve of David's servants come forward to fight.