Bible Strands
2 Samuel 17:24
Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports David’s retreat to Mahanaim while Absalom advances with the Israelite forces across the Jordan. This occurs immediately after Ahithophel’s suicide and marks the military pivot of the rebellion.
The words — The Hebrew עָבַר (‘avar) literally means “to pass over,” describing Absalom’s crossing of the Jordan River. The place name מַחֲנַיִם (Mahanaim) translates to “two camps,” denoting its established function as a fortified encampment.
The thread — Mahanaim first appears when Jacob names the site after encountering divine messengers (Genesis 32:2) and later serves as the royal base for Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 2:8). Its territorial boundary is also recorded in Joshua 13:26.
Why it lands — The verse demands acknowledgment of David’s temporary refuge and Absalom’s advancing army without promising immediate reversal. It requires the reader to track the shifting military and political alignments during the succession crisis.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
Cross-references
- Genesis 32:2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim.
- 2 Samuel 2:8 Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,
- Joshua 13:26 the territory from Heshbon to Ramath-mizpeh and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the border of Debir;