King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 2:32 Mean?

2 Samuel 2:32 in the King James Version says “And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men wen...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.”

2 Samuel 2:32 · King James Version

Context

30

And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.

31

But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.

32

And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.

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Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Beth-lehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.

This verse contributes to the narrative of David Becomes King of Judah, emphasizing divine timing, patience in promises. The Hebrew vayyimloch (וַיִּמְלֹךְ, 'and he reigned') marks David's official royal status over Judah at Hebron. The seven-year period before ruling all Israel demonstrates patient trust in God's timing. Theological themes include divine election, the gradual unfolding of God's promises through historical process, and the reality that human resistance to God's plans produces genuine suffering.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 2 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding divine timing, patience in promises provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of divine timing, patience in promises?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙1 of 17

“And they took up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת2 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֲשָׂהאֵ֔ל3 of 17

“Asahel”

H6214

asahel, the name of four israelites

וַֽיִּקְבְּרֻ֙הוּ֙4 of 17

“and buried”

H6912

to inter

בְּקֶ֣בֶר5 of 17

“him in the sepulchre”

H6913

a sepulcher

אָבִ֔יו6 of 17

“of his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֲשֶׁ֖ר7 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בֵּ֣ית8 of 17
H0
לָ֑חֶם9 of 17

“which was in Bethlehem”

H1035

beth-lechem, a place in palestine

וַיֵּֽלְכ֣וּ10 of 17
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

כָל11 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַלַּ֗יְלָה12 of 17

“all night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

יוֹאָב֙13 of 17

“And Joab”

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֔יו14 of 17
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַיֵּאֹ֥ר15 of 17

“at break of day”

H215

to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)

לָהֶ֖ם16 of 17
H0
בְּחֶבְרֽוֹן׃17 of 17

“and they came to Hebron”

H2275

chebron, the name of two israelites

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 2:32 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 2:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 16:141 Chronicles 2:13-161 Samuel 17:58Proverbs 22:292 Chronicles 21:12 Samuel 5:1

Places in This Verse

Bethlehem 1Settlement · Modern: Bethlehem · 31.70°N, 35.21°E52 verses across 14 books
HebronSettlement · Modern: Tel Rumeida · 31.53°N, 35.10°E62 verses across 10 books
View all places in 2 Samuel 2 →

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