New International Version
2 Samuel 2:27
27Joab answered, “As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have continued pursuing them until morning.”
2 Samuel 2:27 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And Joab said, "As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely the men would not have given up the pursuit of their brothers until the morning."
- New King James Version (NKJV)And Joab said, “As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)Then Joab said, “God only knows what would have happened if you hadn’t spoken, for we would have chased you all night if necessary.”
Context of 2 Samuel 2:27
25Then the men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They formed themselves into a group and took their stand on top of a hill. 26Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their fellow Israelites?” Joab answered, “As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have continued pursuing them until morning.” 28So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the troops came to a halt; they no longer pursued Israel, nor did they fight anymore. 29All that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, continued through the morning hours and came to Mahanaim.
Read all of 2 Samuel 22 Samuel 2:27 word by word
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יוֹאָ֔ב חַ֚י הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים כִּ֥י לוּלֵ֖א דִּבַּ֑רְתָּ כִּ֣י אָ֤ז מֵֽהַבֹּ֙קֶר֙ נַעֲלָ֣ה הָעָ֔ם אִ֖ישׁ מֵאַחֲרֵ֥י אָחִֽיו׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And Joabיוֹאָבyô'âb · JoabH3097
- saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- livethחַיchay · aliveH2416
- unlessלוּלֵאlûlê' lûlêy · unlessH3884
- thou hadst spokenדָבַרdâbar · to speak: speakH1696
- surely then in the morningבֹּ֫קֶרbôqer · morningH1242
- the peopleעַם‛am · people: soldiersH5971
- had gone upעָלָה‛âlâh · to ascend: riseH5927
- every oneאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
- from followingאַחַר'achar · afterH310
- his brotherאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251
Cross-references for 2 Samuel 2:27
- 2 Samuel 2:14Then 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.
- 1 Samuel 25:26And now, my lord, as surely as the Lord your God lives and as you live, since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal.
- Job 27:2“As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter,
- Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Proverbs 17:14Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
- Proverbs 20:18Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
- Proverbs 25:8do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
- Isaiah 47:7You said, ‘I am forever— the eternal queen!’ But you did not consider these things or reflect on what might happen.
- Luke 14:31“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 2:27
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 27And Joab said - The meaning of this verse appears to be this: If Abner had not provoked the battle, (see 2 Samuel 2:14;), Joab would not have attacked the Israelites that day; as his orders were probably to act on the defensive. Therefore the blame fell upon Israel.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 27Joab‘s speech means either “unless thou hadst spoken (challenged us to fight, 2 Samuel 2:14), the people would have returned from the pursuit of their brethren (many hours ago, even) this morning;” or, “If thou hadst not spoken (asked for peace, 2 Samuel 2:26), surely the people would have returned, etc., in the morning, i. e. would not have ceased the pursuit until the morning.” The latter interpretation is the more accordant with Joab‘s boastful…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 25-32Verses 25-32 Abner appeals to Joab concerning the miserable consequences of a civil war. Those who make light of such unnatural contests, will find that they are bitterness to all concerned. How easy it is for men to use reason, when it makes for them, who would not use it, if it made against them! See how the issue of things alter men's minds! The same thing which looked pleasant in the morning, at night looked dismal. Those who are most forward to enter…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-32A long civil war followed between Judah, led by David, and the northern tribes, led by Saul’s family. These events led directly to the murder of Abner (2 Samuel 3:22–39).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-3219-32. Asahel pursued after Abner--To gain the general's armor was deemed the grandest trophy. Asahel, ambitious of securing Abner's, had outstripped all other pursuers, and was fast gaining on the retreating commander. Abner, conscious of possessing more physical power, and unwilling that there should be "blood" between himself and Joab, Asahel's brother, twice urged him to desist. The impetuous young soldier being deaf to the generous remonstrance, the…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Samuel 2:27
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Samuel 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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