2 Samuel 2:12-17 Fierce Battle

 ”Now Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. So they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool. Then Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men now arise and compete before us.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.” So they arose and went over by number, twelve from Benjamin, followers of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve from the servants of David. And each one grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called the Field of Sharp Swords, which is in Gibeon. So there was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.“

‭‭II Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. Joab the son of Zeruiah: Joab was apparently one of the 400 men who joined David at Adullam Cave (1 Samuel 22:1-2), or he joined with David during this general period.

· Joab had two notable brothers: Abishai and Asahel.

· Joab, Abishai, and Asahel were David’s nephews, the sons of David’s sister Zeruiah (1 Chronicles 2:16).

· Joab had a long and checkered career as David’s chief general.

b. Abner said to Joab: This was a fascinating confrontation between two similar men. Abner and Joab were each tough, mean, military men who were completely devoted to their cause.

c. Let the young men now arise and compete before us: Abner suggested some kind of contest or duel between a select group of his men and Joab’s men. When the two groups of 12 met, it quickly degenerated into a mutual bloodbath (each one grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together). Yet David’s men under the command of Joab prevailed in the very fierce battle that followed this bloodbath at the Field of Sharp Swords.

(Guzik)

i. “This was diabolical play, where each man thrust his sword into the body of the other, so that the twenty-four (twelve on each side) fell down dead together!” (Clarke)

Fierce Battle 

Since the beginning with Cain and the murder of Able there have wars, because someone wanted something that wasn’t theirs. But there is a war that will end it all when God says enough!

Christ on a White Horse!

”And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.“ ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 

”And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.“ ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“This is just the logical extension of man’s constant war against God since the fall. It is no more unbelievable than the idea that God came to earth and men murdered Him. John wrote no description about a battle. This is an entirely one-sided affair, more of a simple act of judgment than a prolonged battle or war.” (Guzik)

“The battle of Armageddon is the laughter of God against the climax of man’s arrogance.” (Barnhouse)

Will you belong to His army or their army?

Blessings