New Living Translation
2 Samuel 2:27
27Then Joab said, “God only knows what would have happened if you hadn’t spoken, for we would have chased you all night if necessary.”
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 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.”
Context of 2 Samuel 2:27
25Abner’s troops from the tribe of Benjamin regrouped there at the top of the hill to take a stand. 26Abner shouted down to Joab, “Must we always be killing each other? Don’t you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?” 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.” 28So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and his men stopped chasing the troops of Israel. 29All 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.
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 suggested to Joab, “Let’s have a few of our warriors fight hand to hand here in front of us.” “All right,” Joab agreed.
- 1 Samuel 25:26“Now, my lord, as surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, since the Lord has kept you from murdering and taking vengeance into your own hands, let all your enemies and those who try to harm you be as cursed as Nabal is.
- Job 27:2“I vow by the living God, who has taken away my rights, by the Almighty who has embittered my soul—
- Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
- Proverbs 17:14Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.
- Proverbs 20:18Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.
- Proverbs 25:8don’t be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
- Isaiah 47:7You said, ‘I will reign forever as queen of the world!’ You did not reflect on your actions or think about their consequences.
- Luke 14:31“Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him?
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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