Abner son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim — The military confrontation begins. Mahanaim (מַחֲנָיִם, maḥănayim, 'two camps') is Ish-bosheth's stronghold east of the Jordan. Abner's forces march out seeking confrontation with David's men. The narrative emphasizes the generals' movements: 'Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out' (וְיוֹאָב בֶן־צְרוּיָה וַעֲבָדֵי דָּוִד, vəyôʾāb ben-tsərûyâh vaʿăḇāḏê dāwîd). These two generals—Abner for Ish-bosheth, Joab for David—will dominate the conflict. Joab is David's loyal commander; Abner is a mercenary serving Saul's remnant.

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