Definition: Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that [lieth] before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
Explanation: Okay, letโs break down this verse from 2 Samuel 2:24. It's a bit complex, but we can understand it as a pivotal moment in a story about betrayal and conflict. Hereโs what it means, explained simply: The Basic Situation: Joab and Abishai were chasing after Abner. Think of them as two soldiers following a leader who was trying to trick them. They reached a specific location โ the hill of Ammah. This is a place marked on a map, likely near Giah (a city in modern-day southern Israel). As they were traveling, the sun set. This is a natural phenomenon โ the sun goes down. The Key Interpretation - It's about a Secret Agreement: Whatโs really happening here is that Abner was deliberately leading Joab and Abishai on a chase to a secret agreement. This agreement involved Abner telling Joab and Abishai to not report back to the King. He wanted them to stay loyal and keep quiet about his plans. The "Lieth" - A Bit of Mystery: The word โliethโ is tricky, but it's often translated as "lay" or "was lying." It means something was happening at that moment , in the past. It signifies that the situation was happening at a specific point in time โ before the sun set. Putting it all together: The verse describes Joab and Abishai pursuing Abner while they were traveling, and as they approached the hill of Ammah, the sun began to set. This suggests that Abner had deliberately orchestrated this chase, setting up a situation where Joab and Abishai would be following him. Why it's important: This is a crucial part of understanding the story of the betrayal in 2 Samuel. It establishes a foundation for later events where Joab and Abishai are to betray the King. --- In short, this verse tells us that Abner was setting up a trap for Joab and Abishai, who were being pursued while they were traveling towards a specific location. Do you want me to: Explain another part of 2 Samuel? Give you a more detailed explanation of the context behind this verse?