Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version All that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, continued through the morning hours and came to Mahanaim. New Living Translation All that night Abner and his men retreated through the Jordan Valley. They crossed the Jordan River, traveling all through the morning, and didn’t stop until they arrived at Mahanaim. English Standard Version And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, and marching the whole morning, they came to Mahanaim. Berean Standard Bible And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim. Berean Literal Bible And Abner and his men went on through the Arabah all that night, and they passed over the Jordan and marched all morning, and they entered Mahanaim. King James Bible And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim. New King James Version Then Abner and his men went on all that night through the plain, crossed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron; and they came to Mahanaim. New American Standard Bible Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night; so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to Mahanaim. NASB 1995 Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night; so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to Mahanaim. NASB 1977 Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night; so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to Mahanaim. Legacy Standard Bible But Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night; so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to Mahanaim. Amplified Bible Then Abner and his men went through the Arabah (desert region) all that night, crossed the Jordan, went through Bithron and walked the whole morning and came to Mahanaim [where Ish-bosheth ruled Israel]. Berean Annotated Bible And all that night Abner (my father is a lamp) and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan (flowing down), marched all morning [marched all through Bithron], and arrived at Mahanaim (two camps). Christian Standard Bible So Abner and his men marched through the Arabah all that night. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim. Holman Christian Standard Bible So Abner and his men marched through the Arabah all that night. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim. American Standard Version And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim. Contemporary English Version Abner and his troops marched through the Jordan River valley all that night. Then they crossed the river and marched all morning until they arrived back at Mahanaim. English Revised Version And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim. GOD'S WORD® Translation Abner and his men marched through the plains all that night. They crossed the Jordan River and passed through the entire Bithron until they came to Mahanaim. Good News Translation Abner and his men marched through the Jordan Valley all that night; they crossed the Jordan River, and after marching all the next morning, they arrived back at Mahanaim. International Standard Version Abner and his army traveled through the Arabah by night, crossed the Jordan, and arrived at Mahanaim after marching all morning. NET Bible Abner and his men went through the Arabah all that night. They crossed the Jordan River and went through the whole region of Bitron and came to Mahanaim. New Heart English Bible Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and marched the whole morning, and came to Mahanaim. Webster's Bible Translation And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim. World English Bible Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Abner and his men have gone through the plain all that night, and pass over the Jordan, and go on [through] all Bithron, and come to Mahanaim. Berean Literal Bible And Abner and his men went on through the Arabah all that night, and they passed over the Jordan and marched all morning, and they entered Mahanaim. Young's Literal Translation And Abner and his men have gone through the plain all that night, and pass over the Jordan, and go on through all Bithron, and come in to Mahanaim. Smith's Literal Translation And Abner and his men went in the sterile region all that night, and they will pass over Jordan and will go to all Bithron, and will come to the two camps. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Abner and his men walked all that night through the plains: and they passed the Jordan, and having gone through all Beth-horon, came to the camp. Catholic Public Domain Version Then Abner and his men went away, all that night, through the plains. And they crossed the Jordan, and having roamed throughout all of Beth-horon, they arrived in the camp. New American Bible Abner and his men marched all night long through the Arabah, crossed the Jordan, marched all through the morning, and came to Mahanaim. New Revised Standard Version Abner and his men traveled all that night through the Arabah; they crossed the Jordan, and, marching the whole forenoon, they came to Mahanaim. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Abner and his men walked all that night in the desert, and crossed the Jordan, and went toward Geshur, and they came to Mahanaim. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Abnir and his Servants walked in the desert all that night, and they did not cross the Jordan, and they went to the face of Geshur and they came to Makhnim OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Abenner and his men departed at evening, and went all that night, and crossed over Jordan, and went along the whole adjacent country, and they come to the camp. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context War Between the Houses of David and Saul…28So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and all the troops stopped; they no longer pursued Israel or continued to fight. 29And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim. 30When Joab returned from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David’s servants were missing,… Cross References And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. Joshua 10:9 After marching all night from Gilgal, Joshua caught them by surprise. Deuteronomy 2:8 So we passed by our brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We turned away from the Arabah road, which comes up from Elath and Ezion-geber, and traveled along the road of the Wilderness of Moab. Deuteronomy 1:1 These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan—in the Arabah opposite Suph—between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. They crossed the Jordan, Joshua 3:17 The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over the dry ground, until the entire nation had crossed the Jordan. Joshua 4:18 When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD came up out of the Jordan and their feet touched the dry land, the waters of the Jordan returned to their course and overflowed all the banks as before. 2 Kings 2:8 And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. marched all morning, Joshua 6:15 Then on the seventh day, they got up at dawn and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. That was the only day they circled the city seven times. 2 Samuel 17:22 So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one left who had not crossed the Jordan. Genesis 19:15 At daybreak the angels hurried Lot along, saying, “Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” and arrived at Mahanaim. 2 Samuel 17:24 Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 19:32 Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim. Genesis 32:2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim. 1 Samuel 30:1-2 On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way. 2 Samuel 3:1 Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 1 Kings 2:32 The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. Judges 20:42-45 So they fled before the men of Israel toward the wilderness, but the battle overtook them, and the men coming out of the cities struck them down there. / They surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east. / And 18,000 Benjamites fell, all men of valor. … Treasury of Scripture And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim. Bithron. 2 Samuel 2:22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? 2 Samuel 2:20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. Song of Solomon 2:17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. Bether 2 Samuel 2:12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. Jump to Previous Abner Arabah Continued Crossed Jordan Mahanaim Mahana'im Marched Marching Morning Night Passed Plain Walked WholeJump to Next Abner Arabah Continued Crossed Jordan Mahanaim Mahana'im Marched Marching Morning Night Passed Plain Walked Whole2 Samuel 2 1. David, by God's direction, with his company goes up to Hebron 4. where he is made king of Judah 5. He commends them of Jabesh Gilead for their king of Israel 8. Abner makes Ishbosheth king of Israel 12. A mortal skirmish between twelve of Abner's and twelve of Joab's men. 18. Asahel is slain 25. At Abner's motion, Joab sounds a retreat 32. Asahel's burial And all that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. Abner, the commander of Saul's army, was a key figure in the power struggle following Saul's death. The Arabah refers to the desert region stretching from the Sea of Galilee to the Gulf of Aqaba. This area is characterized by its harsh, arid conditions, making a night march both strategic and grueling. The decision to march at night could have been to avoid the heat and to maintain the element of surprise. This reflects the urgency and determination of Abner to regroup and consolidate power after the battle at Gibeon. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbnerThe commander of Saul's army, a key figure in the power struggle following Saul's death. He is leading his men in this passage. 2. The Arabah A desert region in the Jordan Valley, symbolizing a difficult and arduous journey. 3. The Jordan A significant river in Israel's history, often representing a boundary or transition. 4. Mahanaim A city east of the Jordan River, serving as a place of refuge and strategic importance during the conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David. 5. The March This event signifies a retreat and regrouping of Abner's forces after a confrontation with David's men. Teaching Points Leadership in Times of ConflictAbner's leadership during a retreat shows the importance of strategic decision-making and perseverance in difficult times. The Significance of Boundaries Crossing the Jordan represents a transition and the challenges that come with change. Reflect on personal boundaries and transitions in life. Seeking Refuge and Strength Mahanaim as a place of refuge reminds us to seek God's protection and strength during times of uncertainty. The Journey of Faith The march through the Arabah symbolizes the spiritual journey, often marked by trials and perseverance. God's Sovereignty in History The unfolding events remind us of God's overarching plan and sovereignty, even amidst human conflict and struggle. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 2:29?2. How does 2 Samuel 2:29 illustrate the consequences of pursuing conflict over peace? 3. What can we learn about leadership from Abner's actions in 2 Samuel 2:29? 4. How does 2 Samuel 2:29 connect with Jesus' teachings on peacemaking? 5. How can we apply the lessons of 2 Samuel 2:29 to modern conflicts? 6. What does "all that night" reveal about the persistence of Abner's men? 7. What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Samuel 2:29? 8. How does 2 Samuel 2:29 reflect the broader theme of conflict in the Bible? 9. What theological implications arise from the actions in 2 Samuel 2:29? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 2? 11. In 1 Chronicles 15:29, Michal criticizes David's dance--does this episode conflict with the portrayal of Michal in 2 Samuel, creating an inconsistency in her character and motives? 12. 2 Samuel 3:33-34: Why does David publicly lament Abner's death as though he were innocent when Abner led opposing forces? 13. Why does David's decision in 2 Samuel 19:29 seemingly contradict earlier promises of favor and land for Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9)? 14. 2 Samuel 3:27-30: Why doesn't David punish Joab immediately for murdering Abner if he truly opposes the act? What Does 2 Samuel 2:29 Mean And all that night• The inspired record shows Abner moving immediately after Joab’s pursuit ends (2 Samuel 2:27–28), choosing flight instead of rest. • Night travel highlights urgency and unease, much like Jacob’s fearful night journey (Genesis 32:22) and Israel’s midnight exodus (Exodus 12:42). • Psalm 121:4 reminds us, “Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep”; while Abner stayed awake for safety, God is always awake for His people. Abner and his men marched through the Arabah • The Arabah is the hot, dry Rift Valley stretching from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea (Deuteronomy 1:1). • Pressing through that harsh terrain at night speaks to their desperation after losing many men (2 Samuel 2:31). • Similar wilderness marches test faith and endurance—see Israel in the Zin desert (Numbers 20:1) and Elijah’s trek to Horeb (1 Kings 19:4–8). They crossed the Jordan • Stepping over the Jordan placed Abner back in territory loyal to Saul’s house, away from David’s claim. • The Jordan often marks turning points: Joshua leading Israel in (Joshua 3:14–17), Elijah and Elisha crossing before the prophet’s departure (2 Kings 2:8), and David later fleeing Absalom (2 Samuel 17:22). • For Abner it is a literal line of safety, but God still rules on both banks (Psalm 24:1). Marched all morning • After an all-night march, Abner keeps going past sunrise—evidence of military discipline and the cost of civil war. • Contrast Saul’s earlier army, worn out from a rash oath (1 Samuel 14:24); Abner pushes his men without such folly yet still at great physical price. • Isaiah 40:31 reminds believers where true strength comes from: “But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles”. Arrived at Mahanaim • Mahanaim, east of the Jordan, first received its name when Jacob met the angelic “two camps” (Genesis 32:2). It becomes a haven again—first for Abner and later for David when fleeing Absalom (2 Samuel 17:24). • The city’s history shows God providing refuge in times of political upheaval. Though Abner seeks shelter for human reasons, the location itself testifies to God’s protective patterns. summary • Abner’s nonstop retreat—night march, desert valley, river crossing, and morning push—reveals the high stakes of Israel’s divided kingdom. • Each geographical detail is literal and purposeful, underscoring God’s sovereign oversight even during human conflict. • The verse captures exhaustion, urgency, and providence, setting the stage for Abner’s later decisions and God’s unfolding plan to unite the kingdom under David. (29) Through the plain (or the Arabah).--The wilderness of Gibeon lay to the east of the town, and Abner's flight had thus carried him towards the Jordan. He now passed up the valley of the Jordan (which the word here used generally designates), and, crossing at a ford, went "through all Bithron to Mahanaim." Bithron is evidently the name of a district on the east of the Jordan, but is not further known.Verse 29. - And Abner and his men walked all that night. At the end of the chapter we learn that Joab did the same. Each army had about twenty-six miles to march, and the night was less exhausting for a long walk than the day. As soon, then, as Abner saw Joab and his men occupied with the removal of Asahel's body, he withdrew from the hill of Ammah, and, passing through the Arabah, or plain of Jordan, crossed the river by the same ford which he had used when starting on his unfortunate errand, and so returned home. The phrase, all Bithron, shows that this was a district, but nothing more of it is known.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And allכֹּ֖ל (kōl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every that הַה֑וּא (ha·hū) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are night הַלַּ֣יְלָה (hal·lay·lāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity Abner וְאַבְנֵ֣ר (wə·’aḇ·nêr) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name and his men וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֗יו (wa·’ă·nā·šāw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 582: Man, mankind marched הָֽלְכוּ֙ (hā·lə·ḵū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk through the Arabah. בָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה (bā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6160: Arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley running south from the Sea of Galilee They crossed וַיַּעַבְר֣וּ (way·ya·‘aḇ·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on the Jordan, הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine marched וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ (way·yê·lə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every morning, הַבִּתְר֔וֹן (hab·biṯ·rō·wn) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1338: Forenoon and arrived וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go at Mahanaim. מַחֲנָֽיִם׃ (ma·ḥă·nā·yim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4266: Mahanaim -- 'two camps', a place East of the Jordan Links 2 Samuel 2:29 NIV2 Samuel 2:29 NLT 2 Samuel 2:29 ESV 2 Samuel 2:29 NASB 2 Samuel 2:29 KJV 2 Samuel 2:29 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 2:29 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 2:29 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 2:29 French Bible 2 Samuel 2:29 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 2:29 Abner and his men went all that (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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