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2 Samuel 3:13-23

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13 He said, "Good! I will make a covenant with you, but I demand one thing of you, namely, 1you shall not see my face unless * you 2first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see me."
14 So David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, to whom I was betrothed 3for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines."
15 Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish.
16 But her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her as far as 4Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go, return." So he returned.
17 Now Abner had consultation with 5the elders of Israel, saying, "In times * past you were seeking for David to be king over you.
18 "Now then, do it! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, '6By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.' "
19 Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin; and in addition Abner went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and to 7the whole house of Benjamin.
20 Then Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.
21 Abner said to David, "Let me arise and go and 8gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that 9you may be king over all that your soul desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
22 And behold, 10the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much spoil with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace.
23 When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, they told Joab, saying, "Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone in peace."
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2 Samuel 3:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 3

This chapter begins with the continuation of the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, 2Sa 3:1; and gives an account of the wives of David, and his sons by them, 2Sa 3:2-5; of a quarrel between Ishbosheth and Abner, 2Sa 3:6-11; and of Abner's proposal to make a league with David; but David would not see his face unless Michal his wife was returned to him, who was accordingly, 2Sa 3:12-16; and of the interest Abner made with the elders of Israel in favour of David, which he reported to him, and promised to make more, 2Sa 3:17-21; but Joab returning from a pursuit, and with great spoil, just as Abner departed, and hearing of it, chided David for letting him go, and privately sent for him back, and treacherously murdered him, 2Sa 3:22-27; from which murder David cleared himself and his kingdom, and for it made dreadful imprecations on Joab and his family, 2Sa 3:28-30; and buried Abner with great lamentation, expressing much concern for his death, and the high opinion he had of him, 2Sa 3:31-39.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 10

  • 1. Genesis 43:3
  • 2. 1 Samuel 18:20; 1 Samuel 19:11
  • 3. 1 Samuel 18:25, 27
  • 4. 2 Samuel 16:5; 2 Samuel 19:16
  • 5. 1 Samuel 8:4
  • 6. 1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Samuel 15:28
  • 7. 1 Samuel 10:20, 21; 1 Chronicles 12:29
  • 8. 2 Samuel 3:10, 12
  • 9. 1 Kings 11:37
  • 10. 1 Samuel 27:8

Footnotes 5

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.