2 Samuel 2:15Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin, and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
The setting
Gibeon, Israel, ~1010 BC. Twenty-four young warriors step forward, twelve from each side. None know they're about to die...
The emotion here: heartbroken at recording how tribal pride sacrificed young lives
The original word
mispar (מִסְפָּר) — by number, emphasizing the cold calculation of sending exactly equal forces
Why it matters
Benjamin was the smallest tribe but produced some of Israel's fiercest warriors
Read with care
What most readers miss in 2 Samuel 2:15
The verse emphasizes 'by number' - this was calculated, not spontaneous passion
Common misconceptionThis looks organized and fair, but the author is showing how evil hides behind the appearance of rules and order. Equal numbers don't make senseless violence just.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 2 Samuel 2:15
Bible Genome reading
2 Samuel 2:15 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
2 Samuel 2:15 comes from the book of 2 Samuel, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is starting, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include equal contest. Notable phrases: twelve for Benjamin; twelve of the servants.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same starting
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Your reflection
What does 2 Samuel 2:15 mean to you, today?
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