2 Samuel 3:17-27

17 Now Abner had consultation with ¹the 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, '²By 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 ³the 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 ⁴gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that ⁵you may be king over all that your soul desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

22 And behold, ⁶the 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."

24 Then Joab came to the king and said, "What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you; why then have you sent him away and he is already gone?

25 "You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you and to learn of ⁷your going out and coming in and to find out all that you are doing."

Joab Murders Abner

26 When Joab came out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David did not know it.

27 So when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him privately, and there ⁸he struck him in the belly so that he died on account of the blood of Asahel his brother.

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2 Samuel 3:17-27 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 8

1. 1 Samuel 8:4
2. 1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Samuel 15:28
3. 1 Samuel 10:20, 21; 1 Chronicles 12:29
4. 2 Samuel 3:10, 12
5. 1 Kings 11:37
6. 1 Samuel 27:8
7. Deuteronomy 28:6; 1 Samuel 29:6; Isaiah 37:28
8. 2 Samuel 2:23; 2 Samuel 20:9, 10; 1 Kings 2:5

Footnotes 2

[a]. Lit "a word"
[b]. So many ancient mss and versions; M.T. "he"