Battle at Gibeon
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 2:12-23. Abner, the son of Ner, and Ishbosheth’s servants went from Manhanaim to Gibeon. Joab, Zeruiah’s son, and David’s servants also went to the pool of Gibeon. Each group sat on opposite sides of the pool. Abner told Joab to let the young men play. Joab agreed.
Twelve of Ishosheth’s men, who were from the tribe of Benjamin, and twelve of David’s servants went forward. They caught each other by the head and thrust their sword in each other’s sides. Because of this event they called that place in Gibeon, Helkathhazzurim.
There was a bloody battle that day. David and his men were victorious over Abner and the Israelites.
Three sons of Zeruiah, David’s sister, were there, including, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was light on his feet like a wild gazelle. Asahel pursued after Abner. He didn’t turn to the right or to the left. He was zoomed in on Abner.
Abner looked behind him, and asked him, Are you Asahel? Asahel answered, I am. Abner told Asahel to turn to the right or left, and take the armor from one of his men. But Asahel wouldn’t turn away from following after Abner.
Abner told Asahel again to turn away from following him before he struck him to the ground? He asked Asahel how he would show his face to Joab his brother?
Asahel refused to turn away: so Abner stabbed him with the end of his spear striking him under his fifth rib. The spear came out on the other side of him. He fell to the ground and died right there. Those who came to the place where Asahel died stood still.
We all go through many battles in our lives. They may not be physical battles as this one was. They may be spiritual battles. Whatever the case, it is always best if we have God on our side.
Daily Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 2:12-23
12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
15 Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.
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?
23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
Things to think about:
- There were two sides to this battle. Who was on each side?
- Where did the battle take place?
- Who is named in this Scripture as one who lost their life in this battle?
- How can we face the battles of this life?
Prayer of the Day:
As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel and we see some of details of the battle that David and his men were involved in. Help us when we face battles in this life to turn to You for support and strength. You are our rock and our redeemer. It’s in You we can trust. Help us to put our faith and trust in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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