Chapter 2 of 2nd Samuel established David as King over Judah. He had even set up headquarters in Hebron. But David was far from extending his rulership over all of Israel. This included even the Hebrews living in the south of Canaan. Now, let’s talk a little bit about the tribe of Simeon. First, in […]

“Yo’av and Avishai continued in pursuit of Avner; the sun went down when they arrived at Amah Hill, across from Giach along the Giv‘on Desert road.  The people of Binyamin gathered themselves together into a phalanx behind Avner and stood on top of a hill.  Then Avner called out to Yo’av, ‘Must the sword go […]

“Avner said again to ‘Asah’el, ‘Turn aside and stop following me! Why should I kill you? If I did, how could I look your brother Yo’av in the eye?’  But he still refused to turn aside; so Avner stabbed him in the groin with the back end of the spear, so that the shaft protruded […]

“Avner said to Yo’av, ‘If it’s all right with you, let’s have the young men get up and fight it out between themselves, while we watch.’ Yo’av said, ‘Yes, let them.’  So they got up and paired off, twelve for Binyamin and Ish-Boshet the son of Sha’ul, and twelve of David’s servants.  Each one grabbed […]

“Avner the son of Ner and the servants of Ish-Boshet the son of Sha’ul went out from Machanayim to Giv‘on; while Yo’av the son of Tz’ruyah and David’s servants also went out; and they met together by the pool at Giv‘on. One group sat down on one side of the pool and the other on […]