New King James Version
2 Samuel 2:27
27And Joab said, “As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren.”
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.
- New International Version (NIV)Joab answered, “As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have continued pursuing them until morning.”
- 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 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
25Now the children of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became a unit, and took their stand on top of a hill. 26Then Abner called to Joab and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?” And Joab said, “As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren.” 28So Joab blew a trumpet; and all the people stood still and did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore. 29Then 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.
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 the young men now arise and compete before us.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.”
- 1 Samuel 25:26Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, since the Lord has held you back from coming to bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now then, let your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be as Nabal.
- Job 27:2“As God lives, who has taken away my justice, And the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter,
- Proverbs 15:1A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Proverbs 17:14The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.
- Proverbs 20:18Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war.
- Proverbs 25:8Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?
- Isaiah 47:7And you said, ‘I shall be a lady forever,’ So that you did not take these things to heart, Nor remember the latter end of them.
- Luke 14:31Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries