2 Samuel 2:14
ESV
And Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men arise and compete before us." And Joab said, "Let them arise."
NIV
Then Abner said to Joab, "Let’s have some of the young men get up and fight hand to hand in front of us." "All right, let them do it," Joab said.
NASB
Then Abner said to Joab, 'Now have the young men arise and hold a martial skills match in our presence.' And Joab said, 'Have them arise!'
CSB
Then Abner said to Joab, "Let’s have the young men get up and compete in front of us." "Let them get up," Joab replied.
NLT
Then Abner suggested to Joab, 'Let’s have a few of our warriors fight hand to hand here in front of us.' 'All right,' Joab agreed.
KJV
And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
NKJV
Then Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men now arise and compete before us.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.”
What does 2 Samuel 2:14 mean?
This meeting between the fighting men of King David of Judah and King Ish-bosheth of Israel seems tense. It's possible that both have come to Gibeon to persuade the town to support them in the coming civil war. Or, it could be that Gibeon, whose people are Gentile servants to the Israelites (Joshua 9), provides a neutral space. Even more likely, it's because this is where the tabernacle is (1 Chronicles 16:39–40). Whatever the reason, the two armies sit across from each other on either side of the pool at Gibeon.Abner is Saul's cousin and former commander. He installed Saul's son Ish-bosheth as king over northern and eastern Israel (2 Samuel 2:8–9), and it's his responsibility to take Judah to unite the country. Joab and his brothers Abishai and Asahel (2 Samuel 2:18), are David's sister's sons. They've been with David since he fled Saul (1 Samuel 22:1). The men likely know each other from Saul's army.
Abner suggests each side choose twelve men to duel in hand-to-hand combat (2 Samuel 2:15). It's unclear if this is a training exercise, a show of strength, or a limited fight to determine the entire battle, such as when Goliath offered to fight one soldier from Saul's army (1 Samuel 17:8–10). The spectacle is quick. Each man grabs his opponent's head and stabs him in the side with his sword (2 Samuel 2:16). The ensuing large-scale battle is fierce.
It's evident that Abner is reluctant to kill fellow Israelites. He begs Asahel to back off because he doesn't want to kill Joab's brother (2 Samuel 2:18–23). He convinces Joab to stop the battle between brother Israelites (2 Samuel 2:24–28). After two years of continually losing men, Abner ends the war, defects, and brings all of Israel to David (2 Samuel 3:21).
