2 Samuel 2:24
ESV
But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. And as the sun was going down they came to the hill of Ammah, which lies before Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon.
NIV
But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and as the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the way to the wasteland of Gibeon.
NASB
But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and when the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is opposite Giah by way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
CSB
but Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. By sunset, they had gone as far as the hill of Ammah, which is opposite Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon.
NLT
When Joab and Abishai found out what had happened, they set out after Abner. The sun was just going down as they arrived at the hill of Ammah near Giah, along the road to the wilderness of Gibeon.
KJV
Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
NKJV
Joab and Abishai also pursued Abner. And the sun was going down when they came to the hill of Ammah, which is before Giah by the road to the Wilderness of Gibeon.
What does 2 Samuel 2:24 mean?
The mighty Asahel is dead, killed in a surprise move by Abner, an experienced warrior running from a lost battle (2 Samuel 2:17–23). Asahel's brothers Joab and Abishai are still alive and eager to avenge their youngest brother. They take up the chase their brother could not continue.At sunset, they came to the hill of Ammah. Some commentators speculate that Abner must have been headed northeast from Gibeon towards the Jordan valley.
Abner is the cousin of Saul, the late king of Israel. Joab and his brothers are David's nephews. Saul and David never fought. Saul tried to kill David several times, but David never lifted a hand against God's anointed. Now, David is king of Judah, and Abner has installed Saul's son Ish-bosheth king of Israel (2 Samuel 2:1–4, 8–10). It's not clear why this battle started; perhaps the two generals wanted the whole nation for their respective kings.
The remnants of Abner's once-confident army huddle behind him on the hill. He's lost 360 men to Joab's 20. Abner calls a truce: why should Israelites fight each other? Joab agrees (2 Samuel 2:25–28, 30–31). But since Abner killed Asahel, there's no chance for lasting peace until one side falls. They will continue to fight for another two years.
