Overview
The Bible addresses mahanaim across 8 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Samuel. Closely related themes include Abner, Armies, Benjamin, Tribe Of and Ish-Bosheth. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Saul, Ishbosheth and Abner.
Key Bible verses about mahanaim
Old Testament
2 Samuel
But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; Saul's host: Heb. the host which was Saul's Ishbosheth: or, Eshbaal
And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. time: Heb. number of days
And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, basons: or, cups
And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
People in the Bible and mahanaim
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying mahanaim for yourself
- Begin with 2 Samuel 2:8, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Consider the lives of David, Saul and Ishbosheth and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Abner, Armies, Benjamin, Tribe Of and Ish-Bosheth.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about mahanaim?
The Bible addresses mahanaim across 8 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in 2 Samuel. Closely related themes include Abner, Armies, Benjamin, Tribe Of and Ish-Bosheth. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Saul, Ishbosheth and Abner.
How many Bible verses are about mahanaim?
The Bible references mahanaim in 8 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention mahanaim?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 2 Samuel 2:8: “But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; Saul's host: Heb. the host which was Saul's Ishbosheth: or, Eshbaal”
Which people in the Bible are associated with mahanaim?
David, Saul, Ishbosheth and Abner.
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