What does 2 Samuel 18:7 mean?
"Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men." - 2 Samuel 18:7
The Bible verse 2 Samuel 18:7 from the King James Version (KJV) reads: "Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men."
This verse is part of the account of the battle between the forces of David and those of his son Absalom. Absalom had led a rebellion against his father, seeking to overthrow him and take the kingdom for himself. As the conflict escalated, the two opposing armies met in battle in the forest of Ephraim.
The verse is part of the larger narrative of 2 Samuel, which documents the reign of King David, his successes and failures, and the internal strife within his own family. The passage sheds light on the devastating consequences of Absalom's rebellion as it led to widespread bloodshed and loss of life among the people of Israel.
One of the central themes of this verse is the tragic consequences of rebellion and the high cost of civil war. The battle was a result of Absalom's defiance against his father and his attempt to seize power for himself. The widespread slaughter of twenty thousand men reflects the immense human toll of such conflict and the tragedy of internal strife within the nation of Israel.
The verse also serves as a reminder of the destructive nature of pride and ambition. Absalom's rebellion was fueled by his own arrogance and desire for power, leading to disastrous consequences not only for himself but also for countless others who lost their lives in the conflict. The story serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of unchecked ambition and the devastating impact it can have on individuals and society as a whole.
The symbolism in this verse is powerful and multi-layered. It symbolizes the cost of disobedience and rebellion against God's chosen leaders. The defeat and slaughter of Absalom's forces serve as a demonstration of the divine consequences of going against the established authority.
Additionally, the verse also symbolizes the tragic reality of war and the human suffering it brings. The loss of twenty thousand lives is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of armed conflict and the toll it takes on individuals, families, and communities.
From a historical context, this verse provides insight into the political and military realities of ancient Israel. It highlights the turbulent nature of power struggles within the kingdom and the harsh realities of armed conflict. The verse speaks to the internal divisions and power struggles that plagued the nation during this period in its history.
In conclusion, 2 Samuel 18:7 from the King James Version offers a sobering account of the tragic consequences of rebellion and the devastating impact of civil war. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the destructive nature of internal strife within a nation. The verse also carries powerful symbolism, highlighting the divine consequences of disobedience and rebellion, as well as the human suffering and loss that accompany armed conflict. In its historical context, the verse sheds light on the political and military realities of ancient Israel, providing valuable insights into the challenges and conflicts faced by the nation during this period.
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2 Samuel 18:7 - "Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men."
"Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men." - 2 Samuel 18:7
2 Samuel 7:18 - "¶ Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?"
1 Samuel 2:18 - "¶ But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod."
1 Samuel 18:7 - "And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands."
2 Samuel 5:18 - "The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim."
2 Samuel 2:18 - "¶ And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe."
2 Samuel 11:18 - "¶ Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;"
2 Samuel 7:1–29
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2 Samuel 18:6 - "¶ So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;"
2 Samuel 5:7 - "Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David."
1 Samuel 18:2 - "And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house."
2 Samuel 18:10 - "And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak."
2 Samuel 8:18 - "And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers."
2 Samuel 18:1 - "And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them."
2 Samuel 18:15 - "And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him."
"¶ But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod." - 1 Samuel 2:18
2 Samuel 7:4 - "¶ And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,"
2 Samuel 1:18 - "(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)"
2 Samuel 18:30 - "And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still."
2 Samuel 18:16 - "And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people."
2 Samuel 18:8 - "For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured."
2 Samuel 10:7 - "And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men."
1 Samuel 2:7 - "The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up."
2 Samuel 8:7 - "And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem."
2 Samuel 17:7 - "And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time."
2 Samuel 7:3 - "And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee."
2 Samuel 21:18 - "And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant."
2 Samuel 7:2 - "That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains."