2 Samuel 2:15
Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
The verse belongs to the account in 2 Samuel 2, continuing through chapters 2-4, of the internal troubles, strife, and lingering warfare during the establishment and rise of David's reign that made him king over all Israel. Its political setting is a conflict over the kingdom while David reigned at Hebron, with Saul's son and army seeking to hold power by force. Abner took his forces to Gibeon to make Ish-bosheth son of Saul king, and Joab met him there.
At Gibeon the hostilities were opened by twelve chosen young men from each side going over by number, twelve of Benjamin belonging to Ish-bosheth against twelve of the servants of David. This was part of the lingering warfare between Judah and Israel in which David proved always victorious, while Ish-bosheth had no ability to unite the fragments of the kingdom. Behind these political struggles was God's purpose to bring David to the throne, revealing His providence in building the kingdom of Israel.