2 Samuel 2:15

So they got up and were counted off—twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The verse occurs immediately after Joab accepts Abner’s challenge to stage a combat between young men from their respective armies at Gibeon.

The words — וַ/יָּקֻ֖מוּ (va/yi.qu.mu) = and they arose, and בְ/מִסְפָּ֑ר (be/mis.par) = by number. The text states they stood up and were counted off to select twelve men for each side.

The thread — Within the supplied context, this numbered selection directly precedes the fatal clash recorded in 2 Samuel 2:16, where each combatant kills his opponent and both groups fall together.

Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that a formalized, counted duel between twelve versus twelve resolves in total mutual annihilation, highlighting the structural futility of the conflict.

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

וַיָּקֻ֖מוּva/i.ya.Ku.muand/ they arose וַיַּעַבְר֣וּva/i.ya.'av.Ruand/ they passed by בְמִסְפָּ֑רve./mis.Parby/ number שְׁנֵ֧יםshe.Neimtwo [plus]עָשָׂ֣ר'a.Sarten לְבִנְיָמִ֗ןle./vin.ya.Minfor/ Benjamin וּלְאִ֥ישׁu./le./'Ishand/ for/ Ish-בֹּ֙שֶׁת֙bo.shetbosheth בֶּן־ben-[the] son of שָׁא֔וּלsha.'UlSaul וּשְׁנֵ֥יםu./she.Neimand/ two [plus]עָשָׂ֖ר'a.Sarten מֵעַבְדֵ֥יme./'av.Deifrom/ [the] servants of דָוִֽד׃da.VidDavid

King James Version

Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ish–bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

People named

DavidSaulIsh-bosheth