2 Samuel 3:17

17 Meanwhile, Abner sent the following message to the leaders of Israel: "For some time now you've wanted to make David your king.

2 Samuel 3:17 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 3:17

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel
Had a conference with the chiefs of the several tribes about the affairs of the kingdom:

saying, ye sought for David in time past [to be] king over you;
that is, at the death of Saul, and not before; for it was pretty generally known throughout the kingdom that David was anointed by Samuel and Saul himself had declared that he knew the kingdom would come to him; so that upon his death it was the general expectation and desire of the people that the government would devolve upon him, as it doubtless would, if Abner had not set up one of Saul's house, and persuaded the Israelites to own him their king.

2 Samuel 3:17 In-Context

15 So Ishbosheth sent men to take her from her husband Paltiel, son of Laish.

16 Her husband went with her and cried over her all the way to Bahurim. "Go home," Abner told him. So he went home.

17 Meanwhile, Abner sent the following message to the leaders of Israel: "For some time now you've wanted to make David your king.

18 Do it now, because the LORD said about David: 'I will save my people Israel from the Philistines and all their other enemies through my servant David.'"

19 Abner also spoke specifically to the people of Benjamin. Then Abner went directly to David in Hebron to tell him everything Israel and the entire tribe of Benjamin had approved.