2 Samuel 20:7

7 And there went out after him Joab's men and the 1Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

2 Samuel 20:7 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 20:7

And there went out after him Joab's men
Who though he was removed from his post as general, yet might still have the command of a regiment:

and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites;
over whom Benaiah was, ( 2 Samuel 20:23 ) ; these attended David in his flight, and had now returned with him, ( 2 Samuel 15:18 ) ;

and all the mighty men;
the military men that were at Jerusalem as many as could be spared:

and they went out of Jerusalem to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri;
with Abishai at the head of them; Josephus F17 says there were six hundred, besides the soldiers at Jerusalem that went on this pursuit.


FOOTNOTES:

F17 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 11. sect. 7.

2 Samuel 20:7 In-Context

5 So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the set time that had been appointed him.
6 And David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord's servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us."
7 And there went out after him Joab's men and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. They went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.
8 When they were at the great stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was wearing a soldier's garment, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened on his thigh, and as he went forward it fell out.
9 And Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?" And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.

Cross References 1

  • 1. ver. 23; See 2 Samuel 8:18
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.