2 Samuel 2:16

16 And every one got the other by the head, driving his sword into the other's side, so they all went down together: and that place was named the Field of Sides, and it is in Gibeon.

2 Samuel 2:16 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 2:16

And they caught everyone his fellow by the head
By the hair of his head with his hand:

and [thrust] his sword in his fellow's side;
which he had in the other;

so they fell down together;
the twelve on each side, all the twenty four; some think only the twelve on Abner's side fell; but to me it seems that they all fell dead as one man, since they thrust their swords in each other's sides:

wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which [is] in Gibeon;
the field of rocks, or of mighty men as strong as rocks, who stood as immovable, and would not give way, but fell and died in the field of battle; the Targum interprets it, the inheritance of the slain.

2 Samuel 2:16 In-Context

14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men give a test of their strength before us. And Joab said, Let them do so.

15 So they got up and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth and twelve of the servants of David.

16 And every one got the other by the head, driving his sword into the other's side, so they all went down together: and that place was named the Field of Sides, and it is in Gibeon.

17 And there was hard fighting that day; and Abner and the men of Israel gave way before the servants of David.

18 There were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab and Abishai and Asahel: and Asahel was as quick-footed as a roe of the fields.